Be mindful that one or more of the pigs may have an underlying condition that makes them resistant to bonding and address it. Normal behavior Typically, biting or sniffing each other's bums is entirely normal. They are widely accepted as pets because of their docile nature, sweet looks, friendly response while feeding and eating. Guinea pigs also bite each other to protect themselves. It is important that they be housed in an area that is large enough for them to roam about, as well as stocked with a variety of food and water. Well, youre in the right place, because I have to! Finally, guinea pigs might bite each other's bums if they are feeling threatened or scared. Injuries sustained during the fight could also eventually lead to death if not treated soon. Guinea pigs bite their feet as part of their grooming routine and this is completely normal. ), @Elise, yes I'm pretty sure that's normal I'm no professional and have not had one yet but I just have, My friend is considering adopting a unique pet he could showcase to his guests when they visit. Guinea pigs can eat cecal pellets aka green poops! Have you noticed that your guinea pig likes to sniff or bite other guinea pigs bums? ], Can Guinea Pigs Eat Watercress? Other causes of pain can also result in your guinea pig biting. Guinea pigs are very popular small pets and are great for both kids and adults. Sometimes, guinea pigs may bite each other out of boredom. Your email address will not be published. Short answer: Biting and nibbling are simply their means of communication. If you are handling them or forcing them to eat, they may bite to tell you to leave them alone. However, if you notice they dont seem to like each other and engage in violent behavior, you will need to act (I will explain this a little later). Above all else, try to be patient with your guinea pigs. Guinea pigs sniff each other as part of a mating process. They may not want to be bothered and if you are trying to handle them or force them to eat, biting may be their way of trying to tell you that they want to be left alone. The same concept works with cavies. You may hear them squealing or make sudden aggressive moves when they feel threatened. Guinea pigs are very cuddly, and for the most part, theyre known to exist with each other, regardless of gender (even when in the wild, they live in herds). Overall, you shouldnt worry about that, since its entirely natural. Have you ever wondered why certain animals, including guinea pigs, sniff the bottoms of their peers who are just getting to know them? It is good, however, to analyze the pigs personalities individually. When playing becomes harmful to either guinea pig, it may result in injuries, sickness, or death. #1 I recently had to have one of the guinea pig's teeth filed down at the vet's. Although she has recovered and seems to be eating O.K. So why do guinea pigs bite each other? Once youre sure they can stand each other, its time for them to move in together. I'm also a guinea pig owner myself, and I love learning and writing about these adorable creatures. No matter their species, animals will keep out those who do not fit in with their group and would negatively affect the groups functioning. Any advice? Another reason could be that they are trying to get attention from the other guinea pigs. Most guinea pigs can determine social rank and dominance within a week or two. Three guinea pigs can also fit in a 10.5 square feet cage, but its best to get a larger one, at least 13 square feet. To make dominance over fellow guinea pigs, one of the methods they use is nose nudging. So among all guinea pigs also have a way of expressing their love to their fellow beings. While they are very useful with other animals, such as cats and dogs, they are not How Do You Say Hello in Guinea Pig? Some guinea pigs may be able to return to living together based on the severity of the injury. Reduce the risk Step #2. The time to worry with boars is if there is serious fighting and blood is drawn, otherwise they are just doing what piggies do.9 thg 1, 2019 Why Is My Guinea Pig Shivering When Held? Too Noisy. Guinea pigs live in groups, and having two or more of them gives you the chance to watch and observe the many ways a guinea pig will express itself only when face to face with another guinea pig. It may occur if your guinea pig is being held too high in the air, another guinea pig keeps stealing its food, or you attempt to pick it up while it's sleeping. Guinea pigs teeth keep growing throughout their lives, thus, they must chew. Naturally, when multiple guinea pigs are brought together, there can be small skirmishes to assert dominance over each other. However, guinea pigs have also been shown to demonstrate the same enjoyment for socialization with their human beings. Why do guinea pigs bite humans? Biting an opponents bum would be a particularly effective way to injure them and potentially gain an advantage in a fight. You shouldnt worry at all about guinea pigs. Handle your guinea pigs with gentle care. To break up a guinea pig fight, clap your hands loudly or make loud noises to startle them. Unfortunately, guinea pigs dont understand English, which means we Why Do Guinea Pigs Sniff Each Others Bottoms? However, you also need to know whether they are giving you a nibble or an actual bite. There are some steps to take if you find yourself in this situation without causing more damage. When guinea pigs are injured or in pain, they tend to be cranky and aggressive towards their cage mates. This could help reduce aggression between the two by giving them a companion and reducing the feeling of competition or territorialism. [3] Unwell guinea pigs may bite. About Trust; Advisory Board; Anti Ragging Committee; Governing Body; CMD'S Message; THE INSTITUTE. This is normal for hungry animals, but it may be prevented. Yes they can. It is best to separate them safely. If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having two guinea pigs that are fighting, there are a few things you can do to help them get along better. Typically, biting or sniffing each others bums is entirely normal. Hunger, stress, tearing teeth, sickness, pain, or hormones may the reasons behind their biting, on bums (!) They often walk in the company and start cuddling with each other. If your guinea pigs are aggressive towards each other, they may need to be temporarily separated. Final thoughts on Why Do Guinea Pigs Smell Each Other Bums. If choosing to have multiple guinea pigs of the opposite sex, it is highly recommended for the two to be spayed or neutered. Understand a guinea pig's reasons for biting. Guinea pigs are easily startled by sudden, loud noises, which might cause an unfortunate bite. Generally, guinea pigs are fighting for dominance or territory. Clare Joined Oct 4, 2007 Is Spinach Suitable for Guinea Pigs? Yes, guinea pigs can bite. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberries, Tops, and Leaves? They may bite at another guinea pig if they are hungry or competing over food. By taking these precautions and following the tips outlined above, you should be able to help your guinea pigs live happily. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. If your guinea pigs cage is not large enough, has few toys, or lacks hiding spots, he may become bored and turn to chew on his cage as a way to pass the time. These friendly little pets will normally only bite if they are afraid, or mistake you for a snack! Failed to subscribe, please contact admin. A companion will make them feel safer and more at home in their cage. With the proper precautions in place, your guinea pig family will be able to snuggle up and share lots of love for many years to come. Are you looking for information on your Business, SEO, health, technology, or Education? Moody How To Stop You Guinea Pig From Biting You? Several behavioral facts that you can see if guinea pigs are about to fight are: Lunging and shoving each other with their noses. If the behavior is concerning, causes injury, or lasts longer, it may be time to determine if other factors are involved. We may ignore the body language signals of guinea pigs, and they will react with anger. It is normal for Guineans to nip each other occasionally. It allows them to identify members of their own species, determine compatibility, and determine whether the other guinea pig is dominant or submissive. Usually, guinea pigs tell their partners about how they are feeling by giving them silent hints. This is why its important to provide them with plenty of toys and activities to keep them occupied, as well as a healthy diet. They may squeal, sniff or bite each others bums, or walk nose-bum throughout their enclosure. If your guinea pig has never bitten before and suddenly nipped at you, this is a good indication that it may be sick. They do so to enjoy the company of other guinea pigs. To make dominance over fellow guinea pigs, one of the methods they use is nose nudging. If cavies dont have enough space or enrichment activities to keep them occupied, they may resort to play-biting or fighting as a form of entertainment. Senior guinea pigs with high social status may bite the ears of lower-ranking pigs. Ideally, this is a place neither pig has experienced before, where they wont be distracted by familiarity and wont venture into unfamiliar territory. In a situation where there is a noticeable injury, it is good to visit the vet. Guinea pigs are extremely curious and usually enjoy residing in pairs or groups. Pain can cause biting. Why is My Guinea Pig Coughing When Eating? In fact, its not uncommon for them to bite each others back and neck during these scuffles. Consult with a veterinarian if you are concerned that they may be sick. If you have any questions or concerns, it is always best to consult with a veterinarian. Walking from nose to bum among guinea pigs is very common. Because these are the signs that indicate that they have started liking the company of other fellows. If a guinea pig is in pain or has been injured, it may become aggressive and bite its cage mates. When guinea pigs are overcrowded, they become stressed, and this can lead to them attacking and eating each other. A healthy diet will help to prevent or at least reduce coprophagy and keep your guinea pigs healthy and happy. Keeping the pigs separated in different cages then slowly introducing them back together can help. Its best to pair a dominant piggy with submissive guinea pigs. To eat the poopor not eat the poophmmm Yes! She is trained as a Fear Free Certified Professional to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets. A cramped cage or limited access to food, water, or bedding could be causing your guinea pigs to feel territorial and aggressive. The majority of guinea pigs grow out of this tendency. Every individual has a different way of expressing his/her love for pets and animals. This will help them separate and stop fighting. If they are especially hungry or are fighting over a favorite food item, they may nip at you or another guinea pig. Mistakenly food #3. If their behavior escalates or becomes too aggressive, however, its time to separate them. This can be problematic, especially for kids that don't understand why their beloved pet would bite them. Their natural instincts will kick in to protect their territory and lives at whatever cost. The guinea pigs age may be a factor and if they have lived alone or with other guinea pigs before. However, it is important to keep an eye on them and intervene if you notice any signs of aggression. You must pay attention to the personality of each pig if you plan to keep more than one together and provide a safe, comfortable, and low-stress environment in which companionship can flourish. [5 Common Reasons To Be Aware Of], Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lavender? Fever and redness surrounding the site are signals of an infection, so be on the lookout for these symptoms in bites that do not heal on their own. Follow her blog to learn fascinating facts and gain a new appreciation for the furry creatures that share our world. pic.twitter.com/7IHMCk51Z1. WHY DO GUINEA PIGS BITE EACH OTHER? easy canvas painting with black background. If youre still afraid that they fight, especially when youre not around, you can separate the cage with cardboard or any other materials. Can Damaged Kidneys Be Healed And Reversed? If you have two guinea pigs that consistently fight and bite each other, it might be best to keep them in separate cages. This behavior is alarming for owners as it poses a risk of injury to both cavies. This keeps them within reach of smelling and seeing each other, but not allowing them to potentially cause any injury. Wouldnt it be nice if we could greet our guinea pigs with those words each morning? In captivity, however, guinea pigs can be provided with a steady diet of hay, pellets, and vegetables, so there is no need for them to resort to extreme measures like cannibalism. I have a recent article that goes into more detail about this, which you can read here. This bacterium can cause severe and life-threatening infections if it is passed from one guinea pig to another through biting or contact with saliva. Whining is very common among pairs or groups of guinea pigs. These are all part of the dominance and submissive ritual that naturally occurs to help pigs get used to each other. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apples? The reason for getting so close to each other is they smell the food and their tastes. Don't wake your guinea pig up if it is sleeping, and provide it with plenty of chew toys. Guinea pigs may bite at each others bums for many reasons, but it does not mean it is a bad thing. So Typical guinea pig fights involve circling each other, shaking, and baring their teeth at one another. I'm the owner of GuineaPigParent.com, a website all about guinea pigs! They may also stop eating and drinking normally. Why Does My Guinea Pig Lick My Lips? Menu Fear or uncertainty might cause a guinea pig to gnaw on your hand. The noise could be due to several reasons such as traffic, loud TV, thunderstorms and the like. Why Does My Guinea Pig Make Noises When Petted? If your guinea pig bites you or its cage, it may be attempting to wear down its teeth. When most people think of guinea pigs, they think of cute, cuddly little creatures that make great pets. Biting is more probable if you or your kid squeeze your guinea pig too firmly, its leg is jammed in the cage, it is hurt, or it is in agony. Despite their size, guinea pigs are kind and caring companions. Age has also been noted to help minimize the amount of biting. If you have more than one guinea pig, its important to make sure they have enough space. I hope this clarifies any lingering questions you may have about why do guinea pigs bite each other bums. A guinea pig may feel stressed for a variety of reasons. Guinea pigs sniff each other's bottoms for several reasons. Your email address will not be published. If one cavy headbutts or thumps the other. this post deserved to be sharedlots of gems! However, if two guinea pigs dont get along well with each other, it can result in them biting and attacking one another. What does Hamster Poop Look Like In-detail Guidance, What Fruits Can Hamster Eat? HOME; ABOUT US. If your guinea pig bites, make sure it is not in pain. Maybe try searching. These are some of the best parts of owning guinea pigs. If you suspect your guinea pig is sick or in pain, don't handle it more than necessary and bring them into the vet. A bite from your guinea pig, especially if it has never been nipped before, may be an indicator that it is unwell. Many guinea pigs like to be held, but some don't and might bite if they are stressed out! #2. Biting each others bums can be a sign of dominance, stress, or playing, so it is important to be able to distinguish the difference and if there is a need to intervene. A companion allows them to express themselves more naturally than they would with a human. Play biting is often quite gentle, while an attack will see the cavies lunging and chasing each other with their noses raised up and teeth bared. A Healthy Diet, Can a UTI Kill a Hamster? Here in this article, we will try to find out the reasons why do guinea pigs smell each others bums? A younger guinea pig will usually respond less to an older and bigger guinea pig. What To Do If Your Guinea Pig Bites You And It Bleeds?4. How To Get A Puppy To Nap During The Day? Guinea pigs are able to bite if they want to, but most choose not to. So, if your pet is expressing such kind of behavior to others then dont worry about that. It's best to keep intact male guinea pigs separate to avoid wounds from fighting. This will help to reduce aggression and fighting. Summarising this I will say again, kissing of guinea pigs is perfectly normal. This behavior is alarming for owners as it poses a risk of injury to both cavies. It will continue until the less dominant one succumbs, or gives up and allows the other to dominate. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below.