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When playing becomes harmful to either guinea pig, it may result in injuries, sickness, or death. Despite their size, guinea pigs are kind and caring companions. This behavior isn't unexpected from any hungry animal, but there are ways to help decrease the likelihood of it occurring. This is also a form of bonding and getting acclimated to new surroundings. Guinea Pigs May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming In some cases, guinea pigs may lick or try to groom you as a sign of affection. As mentioned earlier, guinea pigs need their space from time to time. If guinea pigs are not behaving normally, they could be sick or stressed. If you break the fight early enough there shouldnt be any serious damage. A cavys personality may vary according to age, breed, or gender. Too Noisy. If your guinea pig has never bitten before and suddenly nipped at you, this is a good indication that it may be sick. A guinea pig can be caged alone and still live a happy life. Guinea pigs do follow the same pattern and they want to stay dominant over other guinea pigs. Several behavioral facts that you can see if guinea pigs are about to fight are: Lunging and shoving each other with their noses. If you have two or three guinea pigs in the cage, make sure each piggy has a water bowl, her own toys, a place to sleep. If this behavior goes on for more than two weeks, it would be best to separate them. Placing two dominant guinea pigs in one cage will always end up in fights. You can try to look for any visible injuries, but its best to invite a qualified veterinarian to diagnose any underlying problems. Above all else, try to be patient with your guinea pigs. By taking these precautions and following the tips outlined above, you should be able to help your guinea pigs live happily. To prevent your guinea pig from injuries or other health issues causing pain, you should start by keeping the guinea pig cage clean. These can help to reduce aggression and make sure your guinea pigs are happy. Guinea pigs may also show odd behavior when they are stressed or sick. However, seeing the other guinea pig may trigger them to begin fighting again. If your guinea pig is feeling anxious or stressed, he may start chewing on his cage as a way to cope. If you have a guinea pig that dies, its important to remove the body from the cage as soon as possible. In a situation where there is a noticeable injury, it is good to visit the vet. If your guinea pig is not getting enough hay, pellets, or vegetables in his diet, he may start eating his cage in an attempt to get the nutrients he needs. Typically, biting or sniffing each others bums is entirely normal. If you have two guinea pigs that consistently fight and bite each other, it might be best to keep them in separate cages. The 6 Reasons Why Guinea Pigs Bite. Noise or commotion, in general, can also be a trigger when it comes to biting. Guinea pigs can be wonderful, loving companions if they are given the right environment to flourish. How Long Do Pet and Wild Chinchillas Live? What To Do If Your Guinea Pig Bites You And It Bleeds?4. In fact, a guinea pig making this noise will be tense and may seem to even vibrate. (Benefits & Feeding Tips). A guinea pigs cage should not be too tiny. This is usually not a cause for concern unless they draw blood and fight aggressively. If you suspect your cavy is injured or ill, its important to take them to a vet as soon as possible. Finally, male guinea pigs can become aggressive and bite each other when its time for mating. Its also advisable to make sure there are hideouts within the cage. This will help them separate and stop fighting. The best way to solve the dominance issue is to pair an older and a younger cavy. This will help them become more trusting and less aggressive towards one another. Guinea pigs do not eat their own babies. Guinea pigs will eat their cage for a number of reasons. Have you noticed that your guinea pig likes to sniff or bite other guinea pigs bums? Barry Stingmore is a British content writer living in Fuerteventura, Spain. So, if your pet is expressing such kind of behavior to others then dont worry about that. Housing several males and females together lead to competition and fighting over the attention of the females. Continue reading to learn how to differentiate between biting each others bums for playful reasons or something else. Can Damaged Kidneys Be Healed And Reversed? If you are handling them or forcing them to eat, they may bite to tell you to leave them alone. Dominance can occur between guinea pigs of either gender, which includes mounting and biting each other. As the younger piggy grows older, he/she may challenge the older one. In some cases, a mother guinea pig may be overly aggressive and bite her own pups in order to protect them. 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. If a guinea pig is in pain or has been injured, it may become aggressive and bite its cage mates. Here are some answers to possible questions you might have. You can create the hideouts with cardboard or boxes available at home or purchase some from the store. Please keep reading to find out more about why do guinea pigs bite each other, how to identify if they are fighting, and how to stop them. What does Hamster Poop Look Like In-detail Guidance, What Fruits Can Hamster Eat? Guinea pigs tend to develop a strong relationship with its owner and persons. [Top 3 Signs], link to Do Guinea Pigs Need Pee Pads? Why would your guinea pig bite each other bum? Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To Determine Dominant and Submissive Pigs, What Are The Signs of a Happy Guinea Pig? However, the most common reason for a guinea pig to bite is when they need to pee. Once you have their attention, grab one piggy at a time and place them in separate rooms. A guinea pig may occasionally bite as a response to their emotions or environments. To prevent them from fighting, pair piggies based on their personalities, gender and make sure they have enough room, toys, water, and food in their cages. Their teeth, used for grinding up tough foods like hay, grass, and fibrous veggies, can, by all means, leave a mark on your finger. The tissue may be bruised if you scrape. When it comes to guinea pigs, coprophagy (or the consumption of feces) is perfectly normal behavior although it may be considered gross by some people. 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. If you have more than one guinea pig, its important to make sure they have enough space. Failed to subscribe, please contact admin. Anyone can become cranky and display aggression when theyre bored, including guinea pigs. You might be hurting the guinea pig or there might be a deeper physiological issue. If they are especially hungry or are fighting over a favorite food item, they may nip at you or another guinea pig. READ MORE: Do Guinea Pigs Make Good Pets? She now works with a team of other experienced vets to provide the best advice and care for their clients' pets. Do not rush introductions. See a doctor right away if you have any suspicions that the wound is infected. They may bite at another guinea pig if they are hungry or competing over food. Can Baking Soda Kill A Hamster? Do Guinea Pigs Need Pee Pads? But not all biting and chewing are bad. This is something they do intuitively, and it isn't necessarily an indicator of anger. Reasons Why Guinea Pigs Bite Each Other: Solutions, Do Komodo Dragons Have Teeth? Guinea pigs do not need pee pads. Males reach puberty at 2 to 3 months, and if kept together, they may bite one other or you because of high testosterone levels. Watch for safe and friendly behavior as well. What you have to do is to give them plenty of toys, hiding places and other activities to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. A younger guinea pig will usually respond less to an older and bigger guinea pig. Another behavior usually known as rumble strutting is also normal. Knowing why guinea pigs bite each other can help you take the necessary steps to prevent it. Feeling Stressed Various things may stress out a guinea pig. The Humane Society recommends the following cage sizes for certain numbers of guinea pigs: Lydia King is a huge animal lover and has always been fascinated with learning about the animal kingdom. Guinea pigs are fairly gentle creatures and biting is not a serious issue to consider when getting a guinea pig. Get all latest content a few times a month! They usually merely give each other warning nips. This is most common when a new cage mate is introduced, and they are figuring out their social cues. That is probably why guinea pigs who detect an unfamiliar scent will become defensive or aggressive toward a new playmate. Adrienne Kruzer is a veterinary technician with more than 15 years of experience providing healthcare to domestic and exotic animals. If you have more than one guinea pig, it's important to make sure they have enough space. If their behavior escalates or becomes too aggressive, however, its time to separate them. By reading a z leveled books best pizza sauce at whole foods reading a z leveled books best pizza sauce at whole foods If choosing to have multiple guinea pigs of the opposite sex, it is highly recommended for the two to be spayed or neutered. It is also essential to note that some guinea pigs may carry a type of Streptococcus bacterium in their mouths called Streptococcus mutans. Follow her blog to learn fascinating facts and gain a new appreciation for the furry creatures that share our world. When kept in groups, some guinea pigs have been known to chew on one anothers hair. My goal is to educate and inform readers about these amazing creatures, and to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation for the important role that rodents play in our ecosystems. Don't make things that could stress them out Step #3. Guinea pigs have preferred meals. 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. Dont worry too much, though, as you are in control of the situation. Theres a lot more to learn than just that. 4 Reasons Why Is My Guinea Pig Jumping And Twitching | Learn How To Cure Them, Can An Eye Infection Kill A Hamster? Reduce the risk Step #2. It is their way of exclaiming that you need to let them go. If one cavy is considerably larger than the other, they could strike and accidentally kill the smaller one. Are you looking for information on your Business, SEO, health, technology, or Education? So, personally, I think the best way to stop guinea pigs from biting each other is by neutering or spaying them. 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. Some indicators that your guinea pigs are fighting include; Guinea pig fights dont last that long usually, but they could do some significant damage to each other during the few minutes theyre fighting.