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). What Are Their Health Benefits? Why Does My Guinea Pig Make Noises When Petted? They may also stop eating and drinking normally. So, personally, I think the best way to stop guinea pigs from biting each other is by neutering or spaying them. Here are a few: At the same time, there can be peaceful actions mistaken for aggressive ones. They may squeal, sniff or bite each others bums, or walk nose-bum throughout their enclosure. To make dominance over fellow guinea pigs, one of the methods they use is nose nudging. Additionally, if a guinea pig isn't a big fan of being held, he or she might resort to peeing to get released. Guinea pigs can cause serious injury with their nails or teeth. That being said, the likelihood that they start fighting with the purpose of eating each other is pretty low. Today we are going to look at what might cause a pet . Guinea pigs may also bite out of fear or anxiety when they feel threatened in any way. Find more about him HERE. If theres hair in one of their mouths, the next movement will be a bite. Why Do Guinea Pigs Bite Each Others Ears? Reasons Why Guinea Pigs Bite Each Other: Solutions, Do Komodo Dragons Have Teeth? Probably the main reason guinea pigs pee on people has to do with whether or not they can hold it, but perhaps some of the same reasons guinea pigs spray each other also might hold true with peeing on people. They have got along so well with each other thats why they are showing such behaviors. Their behavior, including biting each others bums, helps to determine their social rankings within the pair or group. If you intervene, it may be time to decide if it is time to separate them temporarily or permanently. These are some of the best parts of owning guinea pigs. Do not put them in a cage together right away. If theyre fighting for a female, make sure to spay or neuter them. This will help to reduce aggression and fighting. (Surprising Facts), How Fast Can aLeopardRun (Average Speed), Do Armadillos Lay Eggs? With a little bit of patience and understanding, you can help your guinea pigs learn to get along with each other and provide them with the best care possible. 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. 0. Meet Lisa G, the founder and author of RodentsFact.com. sadly i had to separate the guinea pigs as they started to fight :/ but they can still see each other though pic.twitter.com/fud6X9bhNS. They may bite each other's hair or ears as they play. Any advice? This information may help you and your kid have a better connection with their pet and avoid any unfortunate accidents.Table of ContentsWhy Do Guinea Pigs Bite Each Other's Bums?Feeling HungryFeeling StressedTearing Its Teeth ApartFeeling SickFeeling PainHormonesHow to Stop Guinea Pigs From Biting Each Others BumsFrequently Asked Questions1. However, you also need to know whether they are giving you a nibble or an actual bite. Pain can cause biting. Guinea pigs are extremely social creatures. The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. How are you today? Once you have their attention, grab one piggy at a time and place them in separate rooms. However, this behavior may become more dangerous and even mean that the guinea pigs should be temporarily or permanently separated. This is to prevent you from having too many guinea pigs than you can handle. Keeping the pigs separated in different cages then slowly introducing them back together can help. Guinea pigs can also be aggressive if they are in pain. How do guinea pigs behave around new cage mates? Uncomfortable handling #2. Here are some reasons your guinea pig might bite. In this article, we took a look at some of the reasons why guinea pigs might eat each other or their own feces. But ultimately, the best way to prevent your guinea pigs from eating each other altogether is to provide them with a large enough cage, plenty of toys and hiding spots, and a healthy diet. Overall, you shouldnt worry about that, since its entirely natural. (4 tips! Again, when the pet is nervous or scared, they are more likely to bite. It's the biggest motivation to help us to make the site better. To avoid or stop a guinea pigs bite, it is very helpful to understand why they bite and how to prevent it. The occasional nip or two on the ears will be the most intense that it gets. This is normal for hungry animals, but it may be prevented. Why Do Guinea Pigs Bite Each Others Ears?2. It is also essential to note that some guinea pigs may carry a type of Streptococcus bacterium in their mouths called Streptococcus mutans. First, make sure both your guinea pigs have plenty of space and resources in their living quarters. If your guinea pig is nipping at the others bum, it is telling the other guinea pig they are in charge. In fact, its not uncommon for them to bite each others back and neck during these scuffles. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Wash the wound for at least five minutes under running water from a faucet. How to tell if guinea pigs are playing or fighting? Menu This will help to reduce aggression and fighting. [The Case Against Pee Pads], link to How Do You Say Hello in Guinea Pig? They do so to enjoy the company of other guinea pigs. Guinea pigs have preferred meals. They fight to keep the herd together. In that case, be sure to consult your vet. Remove the poop regularly, change the beddings often, and always remove any leftover/uneaten food. But if the biting is accompanied by aggressiveness and involves injuring each other, your piggies may be fighting. The majority of fights between guinea pigs tend to be caused by food. With over 3 years of experience studying and observing various species of rodents. Typically, biting or sniffing each others bums is entirely normal. Once youre sure they can stand each other, its time for them to move in together. Guinea pigs tend to develop a strong relationship with its owner and persons. Dont give up! It is best to separate them safely. Handle your cavy in a quiet area without unusually loud sounds. Your guinea pig is a kind of rodent, and like all rodents, it learns more about its . Dominance can occur between guinea pigs of either gender, which includes mounting and biting each other. Despite their size, guinea pigs are kind and caring companions. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Bottom sniffing is just one part of an entire process of behaviors designed for pigs to trust each other, seeing as they might be with each other in the same place for a long time. As An amazon associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. But if you cant do that, then youll just need to keep a close eye on them and be ready to intervene if they start fighting. Separate the two for the night or even up to a couple of days. One of the main reasons why guinea pigs bite each other is to assert dominance and establish whos in charge. Like small children and animals alike, Guinea pigs are not ones to be excluded from this fighting and biting behavior. While no one is sure why guinea pigs bite or any pets do the things they do, there are some good ideas backed up by strong evidence that we can discuss. If you think your guinea pig is acting aggressively, its important to take them to the vet to find out any medical issues. Guinea pigs feel better being out in the fresh air and playing with their owners. My parents have a cockatiel who is 36 years old this year. You can rely on him to find the facts. Guinea pigs love chewing toys, throw in a couple of tensions start running high. When guinea pigs are injured or in pain, they tend to be cranky and aggressive towards their cage mates. Why Do Guinea Pigs Bite Each Other's Bums? She enjoys writing about anything animal related from scientific information about rare species to animal references in pop culture. Clare Joined Oct 4, 2007 Guinea pigs also bite their feet for a number of other reasons . Instinctively, a guinea pig would prefer to have a friend rather than be left in a cage all alone. How to Tell the Age of a Cockatiel (Age Chart Included! 3. However, if two guinea pigs dont get along well with each other, it can result in them biting and attacking one another. Moody How To Stop You Guinea Pig From Biting You? Bum sniffing is a very common behavior among guinea pigs. 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. Anything with a mouth can potentially bite. One reason is that the new or young guinea pigs follow the footsteps or behaviors of older guinea pigs. If the behavior is concerning, causes injury, or lasts longer, it may be time to determine if other factors are involved. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. If you have a bite that is near an artery, you should consult a veterinarian. This can be problematic, especially for kids that don't understand why their beloved pet would bite them. How Serious Is A Guinea Pig Bite?Conclusion. Its important to make sure the enclosure is large enough for two or more cavies so that they can spread out and enjoy their own space. However, the most common reason for a guinea pig to bite is when they need to pee. #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. Why are my guinea pigs biting each others butt? Usually, guinea pigs tell their partners about how they are feeling by giving them silent hints. If guinea pigs have a history of fighting, especially causing injury, they should not be housed together. In fact, a guinea pig making this noise will be tense and may seem to even vibrate. But keep in mind that this can also be a sign of pigs resisting mating, which leads back to your role of conscious observer to make sure curious exploration doesnt get out of hand. Typically its just easier to stick with same-sex pairs or groups. My guinea pig had her babies pic.twitter.com/BMpZC8T308. You can create the hideouts with cardboard or boxes available at home or purchase some from the store. A guinea pig can be caged alone and still live a happy life. If you have any questions or concerns, it is always best to consult with a veterinarian. They're both girls. Guinea pigs often target the ears since theyre trying to show hierarchy. Why do guinea pigs bite humans? Guinea pigs may bite gently when playing around in their cages. 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