Guinea pigs may bite gently when playing around in their cages. If your guinea pig bites, make sure it is not in pain. This could help reduce aggression between the two by giving them a companion and reducing the feeling of competition or territorialism. 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. Barry loves finding answers to your animal-related questions, the more research involved the better! Your guinea pig may be biting you or its cage because it is trying to wear its teeth down. ), @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. Dr. Diehl is a passionate veterinarian pursuing specialty medicine with over 6 years' experience with exotic pets. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It allows them to identify members of their own species, determine compatibility, and determine whether the other guinea pig is dominant or submissive. Guinea pigs do not need pee pads. Keep reading to learn more about why guinea pigs eat each other. You may also notice that the fur on the back of their necks is raised. #2. This behavior isn't unexpected from any hungry animal, but there are ways to help decrease the likelihood of it occurring. Since guinea pigs teeth and nails are sharp, they can cause injury to you while breaking them up. Your email address will not be published. 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. The reasons behind the aggressive behavior of the guinea pigs are summarised below: Territorial behavior Trying to prove dominance Change in hormones Lack of play and exercise Boredom, stress, and depression Suffering from diseases Dealing with territorial behavior Guinea pigs are one of the most popular small pets due to their sweet, gentle nature. It is good, however, to analyze the pigs personalities individually. If your guinea pigs are biting each other, the first thing you need to do is figure out the cause of the fighting. Its best to introduce them on a neutral ground. So, you can place them in separate cages and bring them out for introduction. It probably didn't mean to bite you and realized your fingers wasn't food as soon as it made contact with them. 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. 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. Finally, if youre able, consider adding another guinea pig to the mix. One reason could be that they are trying to assert dominance over the other guinea pigs. What are you looking for? Guinea pigs love to eat and even have some favorite foods. 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. 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. ), Nose lifting (pigs raise noses in the air to see who is highest and therefore more dominant. Small pets like guinea pigs are popular with children and adults alike. In most instances, bum sniffing and biting are normal behavior, but if it appears aggressive, you now know what to do to break up a fight or separate them. Several signals may occur between guinea pigs who feel threatened by the other pigs presence. Unwell guinea pigs may bite. These are the most common reasons why guinea pigs may bite at each others bums. Care. When guinea pigs are injured or in pain, they tend to be cranky and aggressive towards their cage mates. 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. Lets explore the reasons behind it so that you can prevent it from getting out of hand! They often walk in the company and start cuddling with each other. Read More: 4 Reasons Why Is My Guinea Pig Jumping And Twitching | Learn How To Cure Them. They may bite at another guinea pig if they are hungry or competing over food. If all else fails, you may need to separate your guinea pigs into different cages, so that they cannot fight. If you intervene, it may be time to decide if it is time to separate them temporarily or permanently. Knowing the behavior of mating guinea pigs, or of the same gender, will help you determine why. When human beings are in their presence, they want to see, smell and hear the voice. However, it is important to keep an eye on them and intervene if you notice any signs of aggression. If you placed two males and one female in one cage, this would most likely end up in a fight as the male cavies fight over the female. Leftover food could develop bacteria which isnt good for your cavys digestive health. Guinea pigs communicate together verbally sometimes. With over 3 years of experience studying and observing various species of rodents. Include chewable stuff such as a toilet paper box or a sock filled with hay or wood sticks. Providing additional hideouts such as hay cubes and tunnels can also help to give them more areas to explore. Its also a good idea to take your pets outdoors. Generally, guinea pigs are fighting for dominance or territory. When guinea pigs are having fun in their cages, they may bite at their bums. Guinea pig behavior can be interesting, but knowing the difference between being playful and fighting behavior can be key to a happy living situation for all involved. If choosing to have multiple guinea pigs of the opposite sex, it is highly recommended for the two to be spayed or neutered. There are times when you will have to put an end to the relationship between your guinea pigs. They may start biting their cage mates or even the pet owner if he or she gets in their way.. The best way to solve the dominance issue is to pair an older and a younger cavy. To make dominance over fellow guinea pigs, one of the methods they use is nose nudging. You should only be worried when they boars and in case there is serious fighting between guinea pigs. 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. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Ideally, this is a place neither pig has experienced before, where they wont be distracted by familiarity and wont venture into unfamiliar territory. Get all latest content a few times a month! she has developed this habit of following the other one round nibbling at her bottom - constantly. 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. I like your, I found it interesting when you explained how you'd bond with your pet snake and improve recognition. 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. Keeping the pigs separated in different cages then slowly introducing them back together can help. But if youre introducing one to an existing herd, take some time to introduce them. 3. However, if two guinea pigs don't get along well with each other, it can result in them biting and attacking one another. They enjoy playing and grooming with them. If you notice any of these behaviors, its important to separate them immediately. Why are my guinea pigs biting each others butt? How do guinea pigs behave around new cage mates? Doing these steps will help keep your guinea pig from biting each other bum. If your guinea pig bites you or its cage, it may be attempting to wear down its teeth. (3 reasons). Typically its just easier to stick with same-sex pairs or groups. 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. How to Tell the Age of a Cockatiel (Age Chart Included! Do guinea pigs eat each other when they die? Why Does My Guinea Pig Make Noises When Petted? However, guinea pigs have been known to nibble or bite on occasion. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. That is the short answer. Their natural instincts will kick in to protect their territory and lives at whatever cost. They make many different noises or vocalizations to communicate with each other and feel a range of emotions. The most common reason is that they are bored and looking for something to do. Is this normal behaviour? You can rely on him to find the facts. I'm also a guinea pig owner myself, and I love learning and writing about these adorable creatures. Blood can be drawn at this point and as the owner, it is up to you to separate the battling pigs. Dogs are the most loyal animals among others but here we are concerned with guinea pigs. Most guinea pigs can determine social rank and dominance within a week or two. When the cage is too small for your cavies, they may fight for the small available space. You can try to look for any visible injuries, but its best to invite a qualified veterinarian to diagnose any underlying problems. The next day, try to reintroduce them to each other and observe how they react. Do not worry; we will cover the most common reasons for biting, both playful and fighting. A guinea pigs cage should not be too tiny. There are some simple things you can do to discourage your guinea pig from biting. Materials can be purchased online and bedding can be found in large quantities at the pet store. How are you today? Your guinea pig is a kind of rodent, and like all rodents, it learns more about its . 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. ( Lets Find Out), Why Do Guinea Pigs Hate? Another reason includes they got along so well with each other and they want to enjoy the company and want to eat the same food. This is normal for hungry animals, but it may be prevented. Nose nudging is one of the best ways to stay dominant and persistent over other guinea pigs. This can be due to a physical injury as well as an underlying health issue such as mites or parasites. Let them go outside of the cage or even better, outside. It is normal for Guineans to nip each other occasionally. That being said, the likelihood that they start fighting with the purpose of eating each other is pretty low. Generally, guinea pigs fight to establish dominance in the group or to compete for a female. (Sleeping Habits Explained), 5 Best Training Collars for Stubborn Dogs. The Big Zoo is your guide to the Animal Kingdom with information about everything from animal species to animals in pop culture and everything in between! As you can see, there are a few reasons why guinea pigs might bite each other or eat their own feces. To prevent your guinea pig from injuries or other health issues causing pain, you should start by keeping the guinea pig cage clean. Guinea pigs may cause a deadly illness if they bite near to an artery in rare situations. Some guinea pigs might take well to being sniffed; others might see it as intrusive and fight back. Unfortunately, guinea pigs dont understand English, which means we Why Do Guinea Pigs Sniff Each Others Bottoms? They may squeal, sniff or bite each others bums, or walk nose-bum throughout their enclosure. Why Do Guinea Pigs Bite Each Others Ears?2. Second, provide plenty of enrichment activities for each guinea pig in its own space, so they are both getting attention and stimulation. why do guinea pigs bite each others bums. Guinea pigs are one of the most popular small pets due to their sweet, gentle nature. My parents have a cockatiel who is 36 years old this year. Too much noise #4. Handle your guinea pigs with gentle care. Some guinea pigs bite ears to determine dominance.