Guinea pigs do not interact with each other so well. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Read More: 4 Reasons Why Is My Guinea Pig Jumping And Twitching | Learn How To Cure Them. This type of maternal aggression is usually a normal behavior, but can sometimes be indicative of an underlying health issue like malnutrition or illness. Chewing on their cage helps to relieve the discomfort that comes with teething. 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. Its best to pair a dominant piggy with submissive guinea pigs. One of the main reasons guinea pigs eat each other is because they are overcrowded. It's best to keep intact male guinea pigs separate to avoid wounds from fighting. Reasons Why Guinea Pigs Bite Each Other: Solutions, Do Komodo Dragons Have Teeth? How to tell if guinea pigs are playing or fighting? Senior guinea pigs with high social status may bite the ears of lower-ranking pigs. Guinea pigs sniff each others bottoms for several reasons. If this applies to you, continue to read about if this new cage mate behavior is normal. It is best to wash those hands of yours first before handling your cavy. Apply a sterile dressing to the wound and pat it dry. The next day, try to reintroduce them to each other and observe how they react. This is more likely to happen if the guinea pigs are kept in a small cage with not enough food. This behavior can be characterized by several factors, from bonding with new cage mates to lack of nutrition or stress. They fight to keep the herd together. Guinea pigs will eat their cage for a number of reasons. Feeling Stressed Various things may stress out a guinea pig. Here in this article, we will try to find out the reasons why do guinea pigs smell each others bums? There are a few reasons why guinea pigs might eat their own or another guinea pigs poop. In such a case, just place the cavies in separate cages and hope to get a more submissive companion. In most cases, the guinea pigs are fighting over food or personal space. 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. Remove the poop regularly, change the beddings often, and always remove any leftover/uneaten food. Did you ever think you would be intrigued by this question enough to warrant an internet search? There are a few different reasons why guinea pigs might lick you. Short answer: Biting and nibbling are simply their means of communication. Biting may also be caused by pain. Biting an opponents bum would be a particularly effective way to injure them and potentially gain an advantage in a fight. When guinea pigs are overcrowded, they become stressed, and this can lead to them attacking and eating each other. Biting results primarily from fear, but there are several other biological and environmental reasons for such behavior. Do not disturb your guinea pig when it is resting, and make sure it has lots of chew toys to keep it occupied while you are away. Is Spinach Suitable for Guinea Pigs? She enjoys writing about anything animal related from scientific information about rare species to animal references in pop culture. 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. or wherever. When youre feeding your guinea pig, be sure to include hay, pellets, and vegetables. Another reason could be that they are trying to get attention from the other guinea pigs. Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. What Are Their Health Benefits? How are you today? They will also bite if handled in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. Reduce the risk Step #2. Summarising this I will say again, kissing of guinea pigs is perfectly normal. They may also stop eating and drinking normally. However, guinea pigs have also been shown to demonstrate the same enjoyment for socialization with their human beings. Feeling Scared If your guinea pig feels scared, is startled, or is being bullied by other guinea pigs, it may react by biting you or another guinea pig. It is good, however, to analyze the pigs personalities individually. However, these social bonds are relatively weak, and mothers typically have little interaction with their babies once they are born. Short answer: Biting and nibbling are simply their means of communication. 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. However, seeing the other guinea pig may trigger them to begin fighting again. A companion will make them feel safer and more at home in their cage. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Knowing the differences can help you learn about your guinea pigs personalities and if their behavior is normal. Bum sniffing or biting may insinuate that they are searching for nutrients that may be found in their cage mates feces. If your guinea pig is feeling anxious or stressed, he may start chewing on his cage as a way to cope. 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. 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. Do Guinea Pigs Bite: Stress Guinea pigs are very popular small pets and are great for both kids and adults. Like small children and animals alike, Guinea pigs are not ones to be excluded from this fighting and biting behavior. Guinea pigs are fairly gentle creatures and biting is not a serious issue to consider when getting a guinea pig. Just be patient. Manage Settings Males reach puberty at 2 to 3 months, and if kept together, they may bite one other or you because of high testosterone levels. Fear #5. [Greeting Your Pet], How to Get Rid of Guinea Pig Mites Naturally. Guinea pigs do not simply bite each others ears out of hostility. How to Tell the Age of a Cockatiel (Age Chart Included! 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. And select those that seem to be friendly towards each other. Guinea pigs have teeth that continuously grow throughout their lifetimes, so they need to chew on things to keep them short. If they are especially hungry or are fighting over a favorite food item, they may nip at you or another guinea pig. That being said, guinea pigs are still animals, and sometimes biting cannot be prevented. Placing two dominant guinea pigs in one cage will always end up in fights. While they are very useful with other animals, such as cats and dogs, they are not How Do You Say Hello in Guinea Pig? Well, youre in the right place, because I have to! 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. Male and female guinea pigs housed together are likely to result in a pregnancy as guinea pigs are extremely active and easy to mate. Because these are the signs that indicate that they have started liking the company of other fellows. However, it is important to keep an eye on them and intervene if you notice any signs of aggression. This behavior is especially common when two unfamiliar cavies are first introduced, as they must both define their social hierarchy. By taking these precautions and following the tips outlined above, you should be able to help your guinea pigs live happily. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Petsvills | All Rights Reserved. What You'll Learn [ show] Guinea pigs love things they can chew. Its completely normal, but in some cases, it may escalate. A cramped cage or limited access to food, water, or bedding could be causing your guinea pigs to feel territorial and aggressive. Some guinea pigs bite ears to determine dominance. Your guinea pig may be biting you or its cage because it is trying to wear its teeth down. If the pet is backing away from you, squealing or . If the bite is really painful, antibiotics may be required, and you should be mindful of the indications of infection. If you notice your guinea pigs biting each other, there are a few things you can do to help resolve the situation. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. You can do this by introducing fun toys like tunnels, balls, ladders or hideaways into their cages. Do not worry; we will cover the most common reasons for biting, both playful and fighting. In that case, be sure to consult your vet. 3. If you notice your guinea pigs engaging in aggressive behavior, its important to consult a vet. Any advice? 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. Anyone can become cranky and display aggression when theyre bored, including guinea pigs. They might also try to nibble on the body of a dead guinea pig if they are hungry and there is no other food available. Dont worry infowikiz has got you. They bite each others bums. This can lead to fighting when another guinea pig tries to establish dominance. They do so to enjoy the company of other guinea pigs. Its normal. While 2 males may seem like theyll get into fights for dominance, as long as it doesnt turn into a full-on brawl, everything should calm down. You might consider separating them if they are biting aggressively, chasing each other, or engaging in full-blown physical battles. Enjoy the sights of funny-looking bottom sniffing and other entertaining behaviors. The good news is that guinea pigs are quite vocal, so its easy to tell when theyre fighting. [+5 Leafy Greens]. Guinea pigs, of course, can bite. If they are bored, for example, or if they dont have enough food. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Follow her blog to learn fascinating facts and gain a new appreciation for the furry creatures that share our world. The 3 Best Sugar Glider Cage Sets [Guide & Reviews], Rabbits Fruit and Vegetables Consumption (Complete Guide), French Lop Rabbits: Look, Behavior, Care & More (With Pics), How Do I Know My Guinea Pigs Are Fighting, How To Break Up Fights Between Guinea Pigs, How To Stop Your Guinea Pigs From Fighting, How long does guinea pig dominance behavior last, How to Make Guinea Pig Shampoo [2 EASY Ways], 108 Adorable Names for Black and Long-Haired Guinea Pigs, lack of enough space to play and move around. How Often Should You Take Your Bearded Dragon Out Of Its Cage? If they fight, throw a towel over them as an interruption. If youre still afraid that they fight, especially when youre not around, you can separate the cage with cardboard or any other materials. There may be some need to nudge pigs toward one another, but otherwise, let introductions proceed as if they were occurring in the wild. What Are the Symptoms? Guinea pigs like to chase each other and play hide and seek as a form of entertainment. It is also essential to note that some guinea pigs may carry a type of Streptococcus bacterium in their mouths called Streptococcus mutans. See a doctor right away if you have any suspicions that the wound is infected. If your guinea pig is sick, it may also be in pain. If you observe some posturing, butt-dragging, butt-sniffing, teeth chattering, and stressed squeaking that results in one of the piggies backing down and becoming submissive, they are just asserting dominance. 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. Make sure there are lots of places to hide and enough food to eat. How Long Do Pet and Wild Chinchillas Live? Don't wake your guinea pig up if it is sleeping, and provide it with plenty of chew toys. Failed to subscribe, please contact admin. ), @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. Guinea pigs sniff one anothers bottoms to gather information about each other. Principal's Message; About BAMS Course; Future After BAMS Course This behavior is alarming for owners as it poses a risk of injury to both cavies. This ultimately allows for survival because complementing scents spell safety in numbers. What does Hamster Poop Look Like In-detail Guidance, What Fruits Can Hamster Eat? It is somewhat difficult to distinguish between play biting and actual fighting in guinea pigs. What To Do If Your Guinea Pig Bites You And It Bleeds?4. Lisa has established herself as a credible expert in the field. If you have a bite that is near an artery, you should consult a veterinarian. In fact, a guinea pig making this noise will be tense and may seem to even vibrate. When kept in groups, some guinea pigs have been known to chew on one anothers hair. 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. Learn more about us. However, there are several reasons why a guinea pig might bite another guinea pig. I like your, I found it interesting when you explained how you'd bond with your pet snake and improve recognition. I decided to investigate this further, and heres what I found out. That is probably why guinea pigs who detect an unfamiliar scent will become defensive or aggressive toward a new playmate. 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. This can be due to a physical injury as well as an underlying health issue such as mites or parasites. 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 you have to do is to give them plenty of toys, hiding places and other activities to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. This is normal for hungry animals, but it may be prevented. Why Do Guinea Pigs Cry? Getting a cage large enough to support the two, and making sure that they each have their own hiding spots is crucial to having them get along well. Instinctively, a guinea pig would prefer to have a friend rather than be left in a cage all alone. This will help them separate and stop fighting. One of the main reasons why guinea pigs bite each other is to assert dominance and establish whos in charge. Keeping the pigs separated in different cages then slowly introducing them back together can help. Why is My Guinea Pig Coughing When Eating? Why do guinea pigs bite each others bums? To make dominance over fellow guinea pigs, one of the methods they use is nose nudging. How to Stop Guinea Pigs From Biting Each Others Bums. 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. she has developed this habit of following the other one round nibbling at her bottom - constantly. It's the biggest motivation to help us to make the site better. 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. 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. Unfortunately, guinea pigs dont understand English, which means we Why Do Guinea Pigs Sniff Each Others Bottoms? Above all else, try to be patient with your guinea pigs. A bite from your guinea pig, especially if it has never been nipped before, may be an indicator that it is unwell. In fact, in the wild, guinea pigs live in social groups consisting of a dominant male, several females, and their offspring. 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. Create a safe, secure play space and approach activities with calmness, not yelling or using erratic hand movements. When guinea pigs are injured or in pain, they tend to be cranky and aggressive towards their cage mates. Continue reading to learn how to differentiate between biting each others bums for playful reasons or something else.