What’s the significance of ear washing?

[HollysKingdom]

Minx has been washing a lot of ears lately. Sometimes they (Lili or Bandit) request it, sometimes she just starts. It doesn’t always look like they’re enjoying it either, but they have to stand still and submit. A social ritual? Or they just have dirty ears?

 

[Truffolo]

I think it means she wants to be friends but in rather a bossy way

 

[Merab]

It’s often a sign of affection, like eye licking.
As with all guinea pig behaviour it’s also about context

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes I agree with the others - licking various parts of the face is either friendly dominance or affection

A - Z of Guinea Pig Behaviours

 

[HollysKingdom]

Yes, that would all fit their behaviour. Minx is a year older than the other two, there’s a “mum with a damp hanky” vibe about it.

This morning, Bandit sidled up to Minx “wash me”. Minx started and Bandit did the head butt/nipping move at her “NO! Not like that!”

I’m gonna keep observing

 

[Truffolo]

Haha, guinea pigs are priceless

 

[piggieminder]

I love it. "Mum with a damp hanky". My Mum had one of those, most embarrassing in public when you are 14.

 

[piggieminder]

It's the spit that gets me. I mean can rubbing a bit of dirt off from round your mouth with spit be more hygienic than a bit of dirt?

 

[Betsy]

I remember my Mum giving me a spit wash to get ice cream off my face when I was a little girl. Everybody's Mum did it so it was considered normal. Now there is the great invention that is "the baby wipe" and spit washes are no more.

 

[HollysKingdom]

At least our mothers didn’t lick our faces to clean them

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

I remember my Mum giving me a spit wash to get ice cream off my face when I was a little girl. Everybody's Mum did it so it was considered normal. Now there is the great invention that is "the baby wipe" and spit washes are no more.

My mum didn't do that. Wet wipes hadn't been invented yet either. I don't know what my mum did instead. Didn't allow ice cream possibly.

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

It's the spit that gets me. I mean can rubbing a bit of dirt off from round your mouth with spit be more hygienic than a bit of dirt?

That may depend on whether it is "clean dirt" or "unclean dirt".
My gran made a distinction.

 

[Freela]

She wants to be their friend, as long as they get that she is the boss. LOL!

 

[HollysKingdom]

She wants to be their friend, as long as they get that she is the boss. LOL!

Bandit is the boss! <rumble, rumble> and she hates Lili. Minx appears to be the peacemaker. She hasn’t washed their ears so much the past few days, except this morning when she used too much teeth and got told off. Soap opera, or what?!

 

[Truffolo]

Bandit is the boss! <rumble, rumble> and she hates Lili. Minx appears to be the peacemaker. She hasn’t washed their ears so much the past few days, except this morning when she used too much teeth and got told off. Soap opera, or what?!

It's interesting how sows regulate the group ❤

 

[Freela]

Bandit is the boss! <rumble, rumble> and she hates Lili. Minx appears to be the peacemaker. She hasn’t washed their ears so much the past few days, except this morning when she used too much teeth and got told off. Soap opera, or what?!

I always think of ear washing as 'I want you in my group' or 'I'm glad you're in my group.' Even if the other pig isn't keen on being reminded that they're in the group right now! LOL!

 

[thewheakybeans]

This is an interesting thread as I’ve noticed my least dominant, timid sow Espresso washing my sow boss Cappuccino’s eye and wondered why that is!

 

[HollysKingdom]

This is an interesting thread as I’ve noticed my least dominant, timid sow Espresso washing my sow boss Cappuccino’s eye and wondered why that is!

Yes, I never noticed it with our previous piggies, and Bandit doesn’t wash anyone except herself. Wouldn’t it be lovely if we could just ask them?

 

[thewheakybeans]

Yes, I never noticed it with our previous piggies, and Bandit doesn’t wash anyone except herself. Wouldn’t it be lovely if we could just ask them?

Now THAT would save us all a lot of time, money and stress!