Yes, guinea pigs can bite like most other rodents. However, they don’t bite to be mean or without reason. Instead, a guinea pig is mainly biting because they feel threatened, scared, or annoyed.
The Main Reasons Why Guinea Pig Bites
First of all, there are a couple of factors that might lead to a guinea pig biting. First, as mentioned in the introduction, they tend to bite if they feel threatened, scared, or annoyed.
These cute little creatures don’t have much to defend themself with except their teeth. So, it will be their first line of defense if they can’t escape.
These are very social animals; if you have a couple of guinea pigs as pets, they have a hierarchical structure inside the group. You might spot arguments about food and sleeping spots if you have multiple pets in the same cage. All this is very normal if they are feeling hungry.
How to Tell if a Guinea Pig is Scared or Threatened?
It can be difficult for a new pet owner to fully understand the emotional signs a guinea pig might show. This is because they are very vocal about their feelings and can produce more than ten different sounds and noises.
Here are a few audible hints to look out for when they might be in the state of biting:
You Hear Teeth Chattering
Teeth Chattering is one of the easiest ways to spot an angry guinea pig. When they chatter with their teeth, guinea pigs can also show off their teeth to tell either you or others to back off. Chattering in the teeth can also be used as a sound of dominance in larger packs.
Lastly, if your guinea pig sows have new pups, you might consider getting used to this noise because they might feel very protective in the beginning – as the mother instincts kick in.
The Guinea Pig is Hissing
Suppose your guinea pig starts vocalizing hissing noises. They want to be left alone. It is also used to win arguments inside the group. If the guinea pig is hissing, it usually means it is the last warning before things get serious. Towards humans, it is not as common as teeth chattering and purring.
The Guinea Pig is Purring
Purring is a very situational sound and can depend on the scenario. For example, purring can indicate stress or if they feel uncomfortable. On the other hand, a deep purr can also signify that your guinea pig is relaxed. Hence, it is a very context-based sound.
Learn to Interpret the Guinea Pig Before it Bites.
Furthermore, they give you a warning if you are petting them. Maybe you have noticed the guinea pig moving its head upwards, pushing away your hands. This movement is a sign for you to stop stroking and let the guinea pig do its own thing for a while.
Another meaningful way the guinea pigs show their frustration without sounds is by fluffing their fur. Simply enough, this is so they can appear more prominent and more robust.
To prevent guinea pig anger, make sure they have:
- Plenty of space and spots to hide in their enclosure.
- Enough water and food sources if you have multiple guinea pigs
- Harmony inside the hierarchy
- Silence (no loud noises or music)
What Happens if You Get Bitten by a Guinea Pig?
If you are holding the guinea pig and get bitten, put it carefully down in its cage and assess the damage done. Gently wash the wound/mark with hot water, then apply some disinfectant to cleanse the wound properly for bacteria.
If you ever get bitten by your guinea pig pet, there is no need for correction or punishment. These rodents act the way they do without overthinking it so that they won’t associate punishment with the recent biting.
Last Thoughts
As you can see, these cute rodents have a lot of ways to tell you about their mood and feelings before they bite. Don’t get me wrong, they are mostly very friendly and would love you to pet and feed them with your hand. But follow these tips, and you will understand easily when they are most likely to bite.
