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Fur-biting may indicate guinea pig dominance conflicts. This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. If fighting between the two becomes too serious or violent, they could hurt each other, so separating them until they can learn to coexist peacefully may be necessary. If guinea pigs have a history of fighting, especially causing injury, they should not be housed together. Do guinea pigs like to be put under their chin? Anything with a mouth can potentially bite. That being said, the likelihood that they start fighting with the purpose of eating each other is pretty low. Therefore, it is important to watch your guinea pigs carefully and intervene if you notice any signs of aggression or fighting. Make sure that your guinea pig doesn't appear to be in pain if it's trying to bite. If you have a bite that is near an artery, you should consult a veterinarian. 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. Blood can be drawn at this point and as the owner, it is up to you to separate the battling pigs. Therefore, even though guinea pigs may not usually kill each other, they can transmit diseases that can be very dangerous. Why do guinea pigs bite humans? Several behavioral facts that you can see if guinea pigs are about to fight are: Lunging and shoving each other with their noses. Usually, guinea pigs tell their partners about how they are feeling by giving them silent hints. They smell each other bums to express love, to cuddle, to go along with each other, to enjoy the company of each other. While this behavior may seem shocking to us, it is simply a matter of survival for these small animals. Discomfort #6. Nose nudging is one of the best ways to stay dominant and persistent over other guinea pigs. It may carry on for long if one of the piggies refuses to back down. In a situation where there is a noticeable injury, it is good to visit the vet. (Surprising Facts), How Fast Can aLeopardRun (Average Speed), Do Armadillos Lay Eggs? If a guinea pig is in pain or has been injured, it may become aggressive and bite its cage mates. This is why its important to provide them with plenty of toys and activities to keep them occupied, as well as a healthy diet. Reasons Why Guinea Pigs Bite #1. 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. Several signals may occur between guinea pigs who feel threatened by the other pigs presence. Do not worry; we will cover the most common reasons for biting, both playful and fighting. Do Guinea Pigs Bite: Stress It should take 3 days to a week. Guinea pigs do follow the same pattern and they want to stay dominant over other guinea pigs. Guinea pigs sniff each other's bottoms for several reasons. 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. 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. However, it is important to keep an eye on them and intervene if you notice any signs of aggression. 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. Fear or uncertainty might cause a guinea pig to gnaw on your hand. As mentioned earlier, guinea pig dominance behavior can last a couple of weeks. Menu Chew marks on the cage can also be a sign of anxiety or stress. When guinea pigs are on their own, they will usually establish a hierarchy in which one guinea pig is the dominant one. The guinea pigs suck each other ears sometimes & they walk behind the other guinea pigs. Guinea pigs, of course, can bite. In fact, in the wild, guinea pigs live in social groups consisting of a dominant male, several females, and their offspring. Your email address will not be published. These traits demonstrate that, yes, guinea pigs do recognize their owners smell when they are around them. Wear protective gloves and throw in a towel or some food to distract them. Separate the two for the night or even up to a couple of days. How to tell if guinea pigs are playing or fighting? One of the main reasons guinea pigs eat each other is because they are overcrowded. As long as nothing wrong results from guinea pigs butt-sniffing (such as a fight), you can say with certainty that this is a perfectly normal, safe, and healthy activity. Provide plenty of hiding spots and ample food sources. They create several sounds to communicate and express feelings. Enjoy the sights of funny-looking bottom sniffing and other entertaining behaviors. Any advice? The good news is that guinea pigs are quite vocal, so its easy to tell when theyre fighting. You can check out my ultimate. This will help them separate and stop fighting. It is quite obvious in the case of human beings but in the case of animals, this may seem a little strange, but its perfectly normal. A good rule of thumb is to provide them with at least two square feet of space per guinea pig. Comprehend The Exact Reason, Silkie Guinea Pig: History & Facts | RodentsFact, Can Hamsters Eat Guinea Pig Food? However, the most common reason for a guinea pig to bite is when they need to pee. Chewing on their cage helps to relieve the discomfort that comes with teething. Don't wake your guinea pig up if it is sleeping, and provide it with plenty of chew toys. Get a larger cage whenever you have more than one guinea pig. In most cases, this behavior is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. By understanding their behavior, providing enough space and resources, as well as pairing them with compatible partners, you can make sure your cavies are healthy and happy! Pain can cause biting. 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. Close proximity too quickly does not allow for natural relationship building to take place. It may be asking you to stop stroking his back because he does not enjoy the way it feels. If you or your child are squeezing your guinea pig too tightly, its leg is stuck in the cage, it has been injured, or is experiencing pain from something else, biting is more likely. If the bite is really painful, antibiotics may be required, and you should be mindful of the indications of infection. 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. Pay attention to your guinea pig's communication and respond accordingly. 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. Follow her blog to learn fascinating facts and gain a new appreciation for the furry creatures that share our world. When picking the guinea pigs from the rescue center or a breeder, you can observe how they interact with each other. They might provide humans with a weird look, but they are clear with each other. Is Guinea Pig Pee White? owner has a small cage and two guinea pigs: The Best Large Guinea Pigs Cages Your Buyers Guide, Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cherries? Keeping up with their necessities will also reduce the competition over food, water, or hay. Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. You may need to intervene if you notice that your guinea pigs are causing injury, not eating or drinking, or the dominance phase doesnt appear to end. Additionally, if a guinea pig isn't a big fan of being held, he or she might resort to peeing to get released. We are a group of animal lovers. ), Nose lifting (pigs raise noses in the air to see who is highest and therefore more dominant. In addition to being less gregarious, female guinea pigs have been demonstrated to be less patient with other guinea pigs and handled while they are in heat. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberries, Tops, and Leaves? If your guinea pig is feeling anxious or stressed, he may start chewing on his cage as a way to cope. Guinea pigs may fight for many reasons that do not pertain to their personality or gender. Biting may also be caused by pain. There is a big difference. If you suspect your guinea pig is sick or in pain, don't handle it more than necessary and bring them into the vet. Male and female guinea pigs housed together are likely to result in a pregnancy as guinea pigs are extremely active and easy to mate. Hello, my name is Bryan. She is trained as a Fear Free Certified Professional to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets. Why Do Guinea Pigs Bite Each Other Bums| Is It Concerning? This behavior is especially common when two unfamiliar cavies are first introduced, as they must both define their social hierarchy. Several guinea pigs can even form sniffing trains, in which they line up with their noses at each others rear ends. Just be patient. Unfortunately, guinea pigs dont understand English, which means we Why Do Guinea Pigs Sniff Each Others Bottoms? However, guinea pigs have also been shown to demonstrate the same enjoyment for socialization with their human beings. What are you looking for? Feeling Stressed Various things may stress out a guinea pig. These are all part of the dominance and submissive ritual that naturally occurs to help pigs get used to each other. See a doctor right away if you have any suspicions that the wound is infected. Establishing guinea pig dominance doesnt last that long. [The Case Against Pee Pads]. But with time, they get so along with each other and soon they start enjoying the company of other fellows guinea pigs. Once youre sure they can stand each other, its time for them to move in together. Once you have their attention, grab one piggy at a time and place them in separate rooms. Guinea pigs tend to develop a strong relationship with its owner and persons. He is starting to show his age but, Why do guinea pigs bite each others bums? Such behavior is called cannibalism and it is not common in guinea pigs. A Comprehensive Guide. Fear #5. If you have to separate the guinea pigs, use a towel or thick gloves to protect yourself from injury. They may bite each others hair or ears as they play. Consult with a veterinarian if you are concerned that they may be sick. 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. A Healthy Diet, Can a UTI Kill a Hamster? Why is my guinea pig biting the other guinea pigs bum? How to Tell the Age of a Cockatiel (Age Chart Included! Also, it should be large enough for the pigs to retreat to if they get frightened during introductions. Here are a few: At the same time, there can be peaceful actions mistaken for aggressive ones. Guinea pigs will follow each other around their cage, play with new toys, explore new food options, and just keep each other company. Do not worry; we will cover the most common reasons for biting, both playful and fighting. These are some of the best parts of owning guinea pigs. [3] They just suss each other out, sort out the pecking order, unless and unless there are not any real fights of blood drawn with them. What Are the Symptoms? You can keep them in separate cages but still next to each other for interacting vocally. This can lead to fighting when another guinea pig tries to establish dominance. This knowledge is helpful not only to prevent unwanted injuries but also to help improve the relationship you or your child has with your pet. Guinea pigs, of course, can bite. Your guinea pig may be biting you or its cage because it is trying to wear its teeth down. Part of this process may include the female spraying urine to attract mates, as urine carries a pheromones profile of its own. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Placing two dominant guinea pigs in one cage will always end up in fights. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. This will help prevent your other guinea pigs from becoming stressed or from trying to eat the body. When kept in groups, some guinea pigs have been known to chew on one anothers hair. Why Do Guinea Pigs Bite Each Other's Bums? Biting you is an effective way for him to communicate that something is amiss. (Sleeping Habits Explained), 5 Best Training Collars for Stubborn Dogs. They can bite deep into the skin, causing wounds that could get easily infected. To Determine Dominant and Submissive Pigs, What Are The Signs of a Happy Guinea Pig? While they can be quite vocal during play, they may also become aggressive if they feel threatened. Apply a sterile dressing to the wound and pat it dry. Calico Guinea Pigs: 5 Things You Must Know! This can occur between the young and old, male and female, and piggies with varying degrees of temperament. Wouldnt it be nice if we could greet our guinea pigs with those words each morning? Required fields are marked *. Females guinea pigs have also shown to be less social when they are in heat and may be less tolerant of other guinea pigs and handling. That being said, guinea pigs are still animals, and sometimes biting cannot be prevented. When more than one guinea pig is housed together, they should each have their own cover, water bottle, and food bowl to avoid jealousy or lack of food and water. Below are some of the reasons your guinea pigs could be fighting. Senior guinea pigs with high social status may bite the ears of lower-ranking pigs. Typically, biting or sniffing each others bums is entirely normal. (3 reasons). Dogs are the most loyal animals among others but here we are concerned with guinea pigs. You will need to know what to do to prevent injuries. Staying dominant over others has always been the favorite virtue of human beings. Above all else, try to be patient with your guinea pigs. If two cavies live in the same enclosure, they may be fighting to claim the territory and resources available. However, guinea pigs have been known to nibble or bite on occasion. How Long Can A Hamster Live With A Tumor? And you also dont have to deal with a pregnant female (these can be pretty aggressive). [Greeting Your Pet]. 3. Some guinea pigs might take well to being sniffed; others might see it as intrusive and fight back. What To Do If Your Guinea Pig Bites You And It Bleeds?4. This can cause stress if it is affecting their health. 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 most likely will find their favorite hiding spots until they feel it is quiet and safe enough to come out again. Finally, if your guinea pigs dont have enough space to play and move around freely, they may become frustrated and resort to biting each other. How Serious Is A Guinea Pig Bite?Conclusion. 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. I know that this might be a hard thing to read about, but its important to be aware of the dark side of these cute little creatures. 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. (Surprising Facts), Are Mandrills Dangerous? 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. Manage Settings Guinea pigs feel stress like people or other animals. These kinds of behaviors are occasionally shown by guinea pigs when you are growing them at home. Failed to subscribe, please contact admin. If the behavior is concerning, causes injury, or lasts longer, it may be time to determine if other factors are involved. As the younger piggy grows older, he/she may challenge the older one. ), @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. Why Do Guinea Pigs Bite Each Others Ears? It allows them to identify members of their own species, determine compatibility, and determine whether the other guinea pig is dominant or submissive. This is a common mating behavior in male pigs. Once youre certain that your cavies are fighting and not playing, you need to break up the fight to prevent serious injuries. The fresh air, fresh grass, sunbathing, and moving around outdoors will help them feel more relaxed. The greatest emotion in the world is the emotion of love and every creature on this planet has a different way of expressing love. Home >> Pets >> Why Do Guinea Pigs Smell Each Others Bums? By the way, this adorable animal can bite for several reasons. You might be hurting the guinea pig or there might be a deeper physiological issue. Your guinea pig is a kind of rodent, and like all rodents, it learns more about its . Unless you want to breed your cavies, its best to keep them separated or opt for neutering/spaying. If another guinea pig is bullying it, you may need to permanently separate them. Guinea pigs can eat cecal pellets aka green poops! So why do guinea pigs bite each other? Adrienne Kruzer is a veterinary technician with more than 15 years of experience providing healthcare to domestic and exotic animals. My parents have a cockatiel who is 36 years old this year. Why do guinea pigs eat each others poop? Be careful when dealing with this situation since guinea pigs have sharp teeth. They will also bite if handled in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. Thats why they are initiating their actions and behaviors. Mistakenly food #3. Once they are socialized and bonded, they do not tend to bite each other, unless something else is wrong. Did you ever think you would be intrigued by this question enough to warrant an internet search? If your guinea pig smells food on you or you are holding a chew toy, it may bite your fingers accidentally. WHY DO GUINEA PIGS BITE EACH OTHER? It is also seen that people hold the guinea pigs in their arms or cuddle with them by taking them under their feet and sometimes show affection by hugging them. Is Spinach Suitable for Guinea Pigs? It is also essential to note that some guinea pigs may carry a type of Streptococcus bacterium in their mouths called Streptococcus mutans. This is usually not a cause for concern unless they draw blood and fight aggressively. The noise could be due to several reasons such as traffic, loud TV, thunderstorms and the like.
