Did you bring home a guinea pig? These little creatures can be cute pets and generally don't bite; however, in addition to running and hiding, biting is one of their few defense mechanisms and can sometimes be used. As veterinary writer Teresa Bays says in her book Exotic Pet Behavior: Birds, Reptiles, and Small Mammals, the guinea pig bites to show dominance, attract attention, and discourage unwanted pampering. Your task is to accustom the guinea pig to expect love and kindness when he sees you; if you manage to get it, the pet probably won't bite you anymore.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Reduce the Risk
Step 1. Stay safe
Avoid reaching your fingers inside the cage bars. If the guinea pig feels threatened, it may attack and the fingers are a perfect target; don't give her a chance to hurt you.
Step 2. Wash your hands
It is completely normal for you to come into contact with the guinea pig, so wash your hands to get rid of any odors that it does not like, such as that of dogs or cats. This rodent has a very strong sense of smell and an instinctive fear of smells that it associates with danger; Since cats and dogs can pose a threat to him, he can react negatively when he smells them.
- On the vague possibility that he has an insatiable appetite, be sure to wash your hands to get rid of the food scent, otherwise he may confuse your fingers with his meal.
- You can also consider wearing gloves until you are sure it won't bite you anymore.
Step 3. Know the reasons for this little creature to bite you
Usually, this is the first reaction to fear, but there can also be other biological and environmental reasons that lead it to behave in this way.
- Pain can be one of them; you may unintentionally harm her or she may have other, more serious physiological disorders. Sometimes, she may bite you when she actually wants to nibble on herself; in this case, it could have mites or fleas. If discomfort or pain starts to be a problem, contact your vet right away for a physical exam.
- If he bites / gnaws when you are holding the pet, he may need to urinate; if so, put it back in the cage and check how it behaves. If he actually pees, you've found the reason.
- Uncastrated males can demonstrate their power by biting more than females or neutered males; therefore consider submitting it to surgery, even if this method is not 100% guaranteed. The need to dominate isn't just based on testosterone levels.
- If the guinea pig bites the bars of the cage, it may feel lonely and seek attention. He may not exhibit aggressive behavior, but may attract attention; in this case, approach with caution.
Method 2 of 2: Convince the Guinea Pig
Step 1. Reduce other factors that make him anxious
You should keep the cage in a quiet place in the house to minimize stress; if the pet bites, it is likely to feel threatened. Turn off the TV, put other pets (if you have them) in other rooms and just focus on the guinea pig; when you act tenderly, the creature associates you with a pleasant, not an anxious experience.
Step 2. Let them explore their spaces
If you have just brought home a new specimen, give it some time to get used to the house, cage and room it is in and to get it set; don't start playing with him right away.
- Open the cage and let him browse, it is important that he look around; once he becomes familiar with his own spaces and the ideal areas to hide, he feels much more at ease.
- When he is more relaxed, put an exercise pen on the floor near the cage and give him time to explore it. Proceed when the pet is quiet and make sure there are no loud noises or other animals around. Place fresh vegetables on the edge of the cage door and outside to encourage him to go outside; don't force it though, every guinea pig is different and has their own personal rhythms.
Step 3. Gradually enter his environment
In the beginning, you spend time around him without trying to involve him in activities. Sit near the cage and talk to him quietly; wait for him to start feeling calmer with you before approaching him to pet him. You can eventually reach out and let her sniff it, but don't touch it until it feels comfortable with you.
Just sit and read or watch television (at a low volume) near the cage while the guinea pig gets used to your presence; loud noises can scare them, so only approach them when the house is quiet and there are no dogs or cats nearby
Step 4. Take small steps to hold the small rodent
Maintain physical contact only for short periods and don't grab him against his will. When he begins to accept the presence of your hand in the cage, stroke him gradually and gently for a few seconds each time; at first touch it behind the ears and above the head. Only when he begins to feel comfortable with these caresses can you take it in your hand; lift it from under your chest just enough for it to lose contact with the floor and immediately put it back on the ground. Keep doing this until it gets used to being held in your hand.
When you grab it, use one hand to grab it in the chest area and the other to support its hind legs; the small rodent must feel fully supported so that he is not afraid of falling. To start, sit on the floor, take it and stroke it, staying calm; if you notice that it starts to fidget, put it back in the cage before it feels the need to defend itself with your teeth
Step 5. Teach the children how to grasp it properly
Remember that biting / gnawing is the pet's way of expressing itself; if he feels uncomfortable when held by a child and reacts by biting, warn the child to put him back on the ground immediately.
Under your supervision, have the baby sit on the floor with a towel, a blanket or a soft cloth basket to create a barrier between the baby, the guinea pig and protect both. Teach the child to gently caress the creature and to let it roam freely so that it does not feel trapped
Step 6. Offer the pet treats to reinforce good behavior
Don't reward the negative ones; if you think he's biting you to get your attention, you don't have to reward him by giving it to him, but come back later and pet him when he's calmed down. If you've interpreted his body language and he seems calm and helpful, pet him and reward this behavior. If you plan on reducing its bites with treats, the guinea pig associates bad bites and behaviors with tasty treats.
Step 7. Get to know your little friend's personality
After a few months of living together, you can begin to recognize his behavior patterns; for example, avoid annoying him when he takes a nap, to reduce the risk of him reacting badly to your attention.
Step 8. Don't beat him
You may hurt him, but he may also learn that he has to defend himself against you and consequently bite you even more. You may react instinctively and attack him once he bites you, but don't indulge that urge; instead think about why he did it and change your attitude accordingly.
