Guinea Pig
By XxAngelxX
@XxAngelxX (2830)
Canada
January 20, 2007 9:43pm CST
We bought a guinea pig a few months ago. He is constantly biting, enough that the kids are scared to pick him up. Any suggestions on how to get him to stop?
4 responses
@pinkeagle (202)
• United States
21 Jan 07
Do you have or could you get a cat for the Guinea pig to play with?
If you do not like cats, how about buying an exotic pet like a python? You already have the first week's food!
If they do not sell little muzzels, like maybe one for a little yappy dog, perhaps one could be fashioned from duct tape?
Seriously, I really do not think you can train a Guinea pig to not bite. Any idea why the Guinea pig started to bite in the first place? Was the Guinea pig mistreated? It is fairly unusual, I think, for a Guinea pig to bite, isn't it?
@XxAngelxX (2830)
• Canada
21 Jan 07
Haha, funny, I never thought about checking the local pet store for a muzzle, but I'm pretty sure I have some duct tape here somewhere. LOL. I'm not sure why he started biting...we always give him his treats in our hands, maybe that has something to do with it, I'm not sure. Don't know if it's common or not for them to bite. I only had one other guinea pig and that was when I was little. That one didn't bite though. Thanks for your response.
1 person likes this
@mobyfriend (1017)
• Netherlands
22 Jan 07
I think you should have him checked by a vet. It could be that he has a bruise or a skin disorder which makes him sensitive to touch. And maybe he bites because he's picked up the wrong way. If guinea pigs bite there's a reason why they do.
@XxAngelxX (2830)
• Canada
22 Jan 07
Thanks. I never thought of him maybe having a bruise. I will look into it :) Thanks again.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
24 Jan 07
He might have mites. Guinea pigs don't normally bite, but if they hurt when you pick them up, they will bite.
Does he have any signs of dandruff? I'd treat with ivermectin as a precaution.
See www.guinealynx.info for how to deal with mites and more information on guinea pigs.
@JashleyB (1441)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I think it's because it's nervous maybe? If you would hold him sometimes (where he can't bite you) and pet him a little maybe he'll calm down and not bite so much. The first day I got my Guinea Pig she bit my finger. But I didn't let that scare me and now she is the sweetest GP I could ask for. :)
