Unusual Scratching Behavior

[kuychi]

My 4 year old guinea pig recently started displaying a new behavior. After I scratch her or pet her near her butt or hip area, she will vigorously scratch herself in the back near the butt, the strange thing is I've had her for 4 years and she has never reacted this way--she lets me always pet her anywhere pretty much.

I took her to the vet 2 days ago to check for mites, and she does not have mites or anything visible in her skin, and the vet didn't feel anything unusual. I also adopted a baby guinea pig 2 months ago, and my 4 year old guinea pig has taken the dominant role. Could this new behavior be associated with the fact that she is an alpha piggie now and maybe she now suddenly does not like having her butt petted because she associates it with dominance? Is it possible this is just a new behavior? I am travelling and will be back in 2 weeks, so I can take her back to the vet for an x-ray when I return, but I am concerned for the next 2 weeks.

She is eating fine and is happy otherwise.

Thank you!

 

[Roselina]

I’ve read your post and I cannot help as I have no experience of this
Hopefully someone will be along who does have experience and advice
Good luck

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m not sure I’ve ever come across this as being a sign of dominance.
Most often this kind of thing relates to a skin condition/mites and discomfort caused by it.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

Either variety of mites are not visible to the naked eye; only lice are. A mites outbreak very often starts with vigorous scratching as the first visible sign. The stronger reaction to any growing discomfort is self-barbering and then self-biting.
New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights

Scratching is most definitely not a dominance behaviour. It is associated with skin parasites or much more rarely with other possible problems affecting/irritating the skin mildly.
A - Z of Guinea Pig Behaviours

 

[kuychi]

Thank you so much for your responses! I am now suspecting she has dry skin because she also has dandruff, so she is probably just extra itchy and uncomfortable in some areas. I placed a humidifier by her house and will see if this makes a difference.