Guinea pigs are fairly gentle creatures and biting is not a serious issue to consider when getting a guinea pig. It is never guaranteed that any two guinea pigs will get along. Here are a few: At the same time, there can be peaceful actions mistaken for aggressive ones. When human beings are in their presence, they want to see, smell and hear the voice. Getting a cage large enough to support the two, and making sure that they each have their own hiding spots is crucial to having them get along well. Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. Anything with a mouth can potentially bite. You should observe your guinea pigs body language and you should listen to vocalizations for clues about how he or she feels about these actions. So among all guinea pigs also have a way of expressing their love to their fellow beings. Is Spinach Suitable for Guinea Pigs? READ MORE: Do Guinea Pigs Make Good Pets? The ideal cage size for two guinea pigs ranges from 7.5 square feet to 10.5 square feet the larger the guinea pig cages, the better. Guinea pigs often target the ears since theyre trying to show hierarchy. A guinea pig may feel stressed for a variety of reasons. They make many different noises or vocalizations to communicate with each other and feel a range of emotions. Why Is My Guinea Pig Shivering When Held? ], Can Guinea Pigs Eat Watercress? Guinea pigs may also show odd behavior when they are stressed or sick. The Big Zoo is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Staying dominant over others has always been the favorite virtue of human beings. Guinea pigs have teeth that continuously grow throughout their lifetimes, so they need to chew on things to keep them short. In addition to being scared and being bullied by other guinea pigs, cages that are too small, not having a place to sleep, chronic competition for a mate or food, and an uncomfortable cage floor can result in your guinea pig being stressed. Unless you want to breed your cavies, its best to keep them separated or opt for neutering/spaying. And while there can be a dark side to these furry little creatures, there might be things that they hate you arent aware of! Mistakenly food #3. Step #1. Guinea pigs do follow the same pattern and they want to stay dominant over other guinea pigs. Biting an opponents bum would be a particularly effective way to injure them and potentially gain an advantage in a fight. Guinea pigs like to chase each other and play hide and seek as a form of entertainment. Generally, guinea pigs are fighting for dominance or territory. This is normal for hungry animals, but it may be prevented. Dominance can occur between guinea pigs of either gender, which includes mounting and biting each other. A good rule of thumb is to provide them with at least two square feet of space per guinea pig. Pain can cause biting. Barry Stingmore is a British content writer living in Fuerteventura, Spain. Guinea pigs may cause a deadly illness if they bite near to an artery in rare situations. This is a common mating behavior in male pigs. Typically, biting or sniffing each others bums is entirely normal. Guinea pigs can also be aggressive if they are in pain. Guinea pigs are able to bite if they want to, but most choose not to. Just be patient. The best way to solve the dominance issue is to pair an older and a younger cavy. 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. #guineapig #pets #cavie #AnimalRights #veterinary #dermatology pic.twitter.com/X2CwEP2DPW. 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. They fight to keep the herd together. How to tell if guinea pigs are playing or fighting? Don't wake your guinea pig up if it is sleeping, and provide it with plenty of chew toys. That being said, the likelihood that they start fighting with the purpose of eating each other is pretty low. If your guinea pig is feeling anxious or stressed, he may start chewing on his cage as a way to cope. Staying dominant over others has always been the favorite virtue of human beings. Uncomfortable handling #2. [Greeting Your Pet]. Leftover food could develop bacteria which isnt good for your cavys digestive health. Sometimes the back area might even be an area to avoid for some people. Let your cavy explore its habitat Step #4. 1. Choose a place with minimal furniture so that the guinea pigs cant hide behind or under it. Read his latest ARTICLES. When guinea pigs are having fun in their cages, they may bite at their bums. Generally, guinea pigs are social animals that usually enjoy the company of their fellow guinea pigs. [Greeting Your Pet], How to Get Rid of Guinea Pig Mites Naturally. Why is my guinea pig biting the other guinea pigs bum? Again, when the pet is nervous or scared, they are more likely to bite. If your guinea pig smells food on you or you are holding a chew toy, it may bite your fingers accidentally. Generally, the submissive submits, and the dominant takes offense. What you have to do is to give them plenty of toys, hiding places and other activities to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. But why do guinea pigs eat each other? Most of the time, if the guinea pigs were purchased and raised together at the same time, there is less of a chance for the two to get into a biting match. If choosing to have multiple guinea pigs of the opposite sex, it is highly recommended for the two to be spayed or neutered. 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. Note: If you think your guinea pig is teething, be sure to provide him with plenty of toys and things to chew on, and if it becomes excessive, consult your vet. It allows them to identify members of their own species, determine compatibility, and determine whether the other guinea pig is dominant or submissive. There may be some need to nudge pigs toward one another, but otherwise, let introductions proceed as if they were occurring in the wild. They smell each other bums to express love, to cuddle, to go along with each other, to enjoy the company of each other. What You Need to Know, The males make noises and strut around each other but dont attack, I wrote a great section on about all, One of them or even both will yawn widely to show off their teeth. You can do this by introducing fun toys like tunnels, balls, ladders or hideaways into their cages. If your guinea pig is sick, it may also be in pain. 3. Knowing the differences can help you learn about your guinea pigs personalities and if their behavior is normal. Small pets like guinea pigs are popular with children and adults alike. When guinea pigs are on their own, they will usually establish a hierarchy in which one guinea pig is the dominant one. You might be hurting the guinea pig or there might be a deeper physiological issue. This is most common when a new cage mate is introduced, and they are figuring out their social cues. When guinea pigs are overcrowded, they become stressed, and this can lead to them attacking and eating each other. As An amazon associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. (4 tips! If one cavy is considerably larger than the other, they could strike and accidentally kill the smaller one. They have got along so well with each other thats why they are showing such behaviors. A cavys personality may vary according to age, breed, or gender. Whining is very common among pairs or groups of guinea pigs. This behavior can be characterized by several factors, from bonding with new cage mates to lack of nutrition or stress. These behaviors range from: In this video, for example, the owner has a small cage and two guinea pigs: The majority of these causes can be prevented simply if there is enough space guaranteed for each guinea pig to have their me time and individual access to basic necessities. WHY DO GUINEA PIGS BITE EACH OTHER? This can cause stress if it is affecting their health. 5 square feet (minimum), but 10.5 square feet is preferred, 5 square feet (minimum), but 13 square feet is preferred, 13 square feet (minimum) where more is better. 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. Too-small cages, no room to sleep, persistent competition for a partner or food, and an unpleasant cage floor may stress your guinea pig. Breeding your own guinea pigs may sound like a lot of fun, but there are many risks involved with the birthing process and too many guinea pigs are simply a lot of work. Failed to subscribe, please contact admin. Include chewable stuff such as a toilet paper box or a sock filled with hay or wood sticks. But if youre introducing one to an existing herd, take some time to introduce them. This hands-off approach to parenting carries over into the realm of nutrition, as guinea pigs might eat their own babies if they are desperate for food or if they think the baby is in danger. Take your cavy to the vet ASAP when you notice any injuries. They may start biting their cage mates or even the pet owner if he or she gets in their way.. You dont have to worry about the guinea pigs. If they fight, throw a towel over them as an interruption. If you have any questions or concerns, it is always best to consult with a veterinarian. easy canvas painting with black background. This will help to reduce aggression and fighting. Normal behavior Typically, biting or sniffing each other's bums is entirely normal. Feeling Stressed Various things may stress out a guinea pig. Typical guinea pig fights involve circling each other, shaking, and baring their teeth at one another. Other causes of pain can also result in your guinea pig biting. Another behavior usually known as rumble strutting is also normal. Your email address will not be published. Guinea pigs also bite each other to protect themselves. Witnessing your guinea pigs biting each other may be concerning, but being able to tell if it is normal behavior or not can be imperative. Guinea pigs feel better being out in the fresh air and playing with their owners. Guinea pigs tend to develop a strong relationship with its owner and persons. In such a case, just place the cavies in separate cages and hope to get a more submissive companion. If you are handling them or forcing them to eat, they may bite to tell you to leave them alone. Clare Joined Oct 4, 2007 Why Do Guinea Pigs Bite Each Others Ears?2. What worries most owners is when their cavies start biting each other. Maybe try searching. Its also advisable to make sure there are hideouts within the cage. Guinea pigs have preferred meals. By reading a z leveled books best pizza sauce at whole foods reading a z leveled books best pizza sauce at whole foods Have you ever wondered why certain animals, including guinea pigs, sniff the bottoms of their peers who are just getting to know them? Some of the reasons your guinea pigs could be hostile towards each other include.