|
Back Home
SiteMap
Privacy Policy
|
When a Guinea Pig Bites
As cute and loveable as guinea pigs can be, one must remember that a guinea pig is an animal first and foremost. Therefore, when a guinea pig feels threatened, he will use any resource that he has to protect himself, including his teeth. Feeling threatened isn’t the only cause for a guinea pig biting, however.
First, most guinea pigs actually won’t bite you, unless they have a very good reason – according to them – for doing so. They are not inherently mean animals, and in fact, they have no desire to hurt you at all. Guinea pigs are quite gentle actually. So, if your guinea pig bites, it is important for you to discover why he is biting.
First, guinea pigs do not like to be held or carried in certain ways. Ideally, when you hold or carry a guinea pig, you will hold him in a way that makes him feel safe and secure. This includes holding him against your body, and not carrying him in a way that leaves his abdomen exposed. He simply wants to feel safe, and he may bite you if he doesn’t.
He may also bite even if you are holding or carrying him correctly, but he will do this because he needs to urinate, and he can’t – because you are holding him. They may also bite if you’ve held them longer than they think you should. They simply want to be put down, and if their fidgeting doesn’t get you to do what they want, they will get more insistent, by biting.
Often, if a guinea pig has mites or skin irritations, he may nip you if you touch those spots. This is because touching irritated spots actually causes pain, and this is his only way of saying ‘ouch.’ If the irritation is really bad, he may even try to bite you if you pet him. Again, find out what the cause is, and correct it. In most cases, mites or other skin irritations needs treatment from the veterinarian. Also, note that mites cannot be seen by the naked eye.
Some parts of the guinea pig are naturally sensitive, and he may bite you if you touch them. Most guinea pigs don’t want you to touch their rear ends. Sore joints are another reason why your guinea pig may bite you. Again, have him checked by a veterinarian to find the cause of the biting.
Other things that may cause a guinea pig to bite include grooming practices, and being petted in the opposite direction that his hair grows. He may also be unhappy in general, due to housing, food, or attention that is inadequate. Young guinea pigs may bite, simply because they don’t know any better.
While most guinea pigs are not natural biters, there are some who simply have aggressive behavior – for no apparent reason. If you cannot find any other cause for biting, this is the diagnosis that you must come to, and you will have to determine whether or not you can live with a guinea pig who is a biter, although you should try to correct this behavior.
Guinea Pigs As Pets
Next Article: Dealing with Guinea Pig Odors
-
|
