Do Guinea Pigs Bite? (12 Common Reasons, Prevention, Dangers)

Guinea pigs generally do not bite humans on purpose, it more an accidental pinch or nibble than real full force bite. So do not be worried if you get bitten (pinched) it just their way to tell you to stop doing what you doing (trimming their nails) or just to leave them alone because even though they look very cuddly they are not always up for it.

On some rare occasions, you can accidentally be bitten for example when separating two guinea pigs that are in the middle of the fight, and that bite hurts a lot because they are defending themselves from other guinea pigs and your hand got caught in the middle of it.

In this article, you have all common reasons why guinea pigs bite with an explanation to be able to understand and prevent them from biting you so if you want to know more keep reading

Why do Guine Pigs Bite? ( 12 most common reasons)

1.Your hands smell like food

When you handle food and do not wash them, your hands will smell like food especially if you are handling hay, pellets, vegetables, or favorite fruit. So when you approach they can be mistaken and think you are giving them a meal so they can bite you and as soon as they realize it is your finger and not for example carrot they will stop. So make sure you wash your hands. Some soaps smell like food so choose wisely : )

When you are hand feeding them it can happen that they are reaching to the end of the carrot or peeper and you are not careful to move your hand on the time and you get bitten. So it is just an accident because their eyes are up there and they can not see where your fingers are exactly in relation to food so just be cautious.

2.Fear , trying to flee

Due to the fact that they are prey animals and when they are afraid their reaction is to flee and hide not fight. So if they feel cornered and there is no way for them to flee they can bite you as a way of protecting themselves. So make enough room for them to flee if they want to. Also do not put your in their hiding spot because and they are there for a reason so they can bite if they see it as a threat.

They can be afraid of the person that caused them discomfort or pain. For example, if the person is holding them the wrong way (their back feet hanging) or squeezing them too much. In more extreme cases some persons that were abusive, yelling, or punishing them it can develop fear and every time that person that they are afraid of is holding them they will do everything to get away from that person including biting. In case the guinea pig is adopted and you do not know how did the previous owner handle the Cavy. For example, if the Cavy was mistreated by a little boy it can develop fear from all little boys and will bite to protect themselves

3.Sudden and loud sounds

Sudden noise can make them uncomfortable or even afraid. If you are holding them and somebody in the room starts drying hear with loud hairdryer, or they turn on the vacuum cleaner, loud stereo, tv that with loud sound will make them feel scared and survival instinct kick in. So they bite to make you put them back to the cage so they can crawl in their burrow or other safe space and wait till the noise goes away. Sudden sounds also include thunderstorms that can be very frightening to your furry pet.

4.They need to go to the bathroom

First, you have to understand that guinea pigs have to go to the bathroom every 15 minutes so it can happen when you are holding your Cavy or they are outside of the cage and they have to go to the bathroom they can bite, in a way of saying I am in a hurry put me back in the cage to relieve my self. So this should be considered as nice manners from them because this way they will not make a mess outside the cage so accept this one as an acceptable nip.

5.Feeling Uncomfortable

There are plenty of reasons for guinea pigs to feel uncomfortable. For example, nail clipping can be a very stressful and uncomfortable situation for them especially if you are cutting to close to quick and perhaps it is hurting them they can show it in a way to nibble you and say i do not like that

Another reason is if you are introducing new male and excitement is high, and you try to pick him up after just a few minutes he can bite you because he is stressed chattering teeth so he wants to be left alone and the bite is a way of telling you that, as he would normally nip the other guinea pig.

When you hold them they in way that their bottom is not secured and back feet are hanging they can nip you. You must understand that it might feel to them that they can fall and feel unstable. So when you hold them they have to feel safe and comfortable so if they are biting hold them differently hold their feet properly or let them back in the cage.

If you are petting your Cavy in the opposite side of the hair grow it can either feel uncomfortable or even painful and they can nibble you to stop doing that.

6.If they are Soar or in Pain

Guinea pigs can be in pain in one spot to have a bruise or even sprained leg and if you try to hold them you can either put the pressure to a sensitive (bruised ) spot or hold their feet and cause pain so instantly they will become aggressive and bite you to put them back in the cage so the pain can stop.

Also if they are ill or just very very tired they will not like you to hold and pet them they just want to be left alone so if you insist on petting them guess what, you get a nip!

Your Cavy might have some pain and discomfort due to some bruise or sprain. This is why when someone tries to hold it, they cannot stand the pain and in an attempt to retaliate can end up biting.

If your guinea pig is older he could have and arthritis so if the biting happens each time you pick him up over some time you should get you pet to the vet

7.If you are putting your finger in their mouth

Some guinea pig owner thinks it is cute to put their finger into the pets like a way of petting or who knows why so they can expect to bit bitten.

8.Because of the Mood that they are in

Guinea pig biting can also be caused by their current mood for example Maybe they started to nap and you want to play or there is not enough space in the cage or even overcrowded so they are unhappy and they want to show you that.

They could be in the middle of game with other ginea pigs and they do not want to be interrupted because they enjoy what they do at the moment.

Or just your pet is not having a good they and wants to be left alone

9.Adolescent age

Some guinea pigs, before they turn their first year can bite for no obvious reason and they can keep doing that till they become mature. So from 4 or 5th month till 12th month old, you can expect them to bite and after that, they should become the guinea pigs you expected cuddly and playful. Just be patient and calm biting period will most likely pass by it self.

10.Illness (Bloat, Parasites ,Mites, Lice, Thick)

If your guinea pig has mites any touch can cause discomfort because mite can cause a lot of pain (burrows into the skin of guinea pigs) so if you try to hold or pet them the pain will increase so natural reaction is to bite. The same goes for lice and thicks they can make your pet bite anybody holding them.

They could also just try to scratch themselves and they do it by nipping so if your hand is there you could accidentally get nipped.

In any case, if you notice this type of behavior and your Cavy and on top of that is scratching, you have to take it to vet to diagnose the illness so your pet can get the proper treatment.

Your Cavy can bite you if it has a condition called Bloat. It is a condition that is very serious and can cause guinea pigs death if not treated on time. The pain and discomfort that bloat can cause will make it bite you even when you try to hold it.

Other signs to look for are weakness, skipping meals, heavy breathing, lethargy staying on the same spot and absence of bowel movement get you pet to the vet ASAP to get proper treatment.

11.He May be Trying to Groom You

Guinea Pigs besides grooming themselves they grom each other as a sign of affection or as a position in the hierarchy. For example, dominant guinea pigs get groomed by submissive one.

This is an important part of hygiene and they use their teeth to remove the food stuck in fur or to remove bugs and other things that can cause the skin to itch. This way they keep each other clean and calm.

So it can happen that your guinea pig starts nibbling you and it is just trying to groom you as they consider you a part of their heard and somebody close to them. So there is nothing mean behind this bite just affection.

12.Getting in the Middle of the Fight

When two guinea pigs are fighting especially males it can heat up a lot and our instinct is pushing us to break up the fight as soon as possible. And the most common mistake is to separate them with your bare hands because you think they are small animals and what can they do.

Trust me they can do a lot of harm when going at each other, if your finger or any part of the hand get in the way they will bite very hard. This bite is usually very painful and goes pretty deep into the flesh and for wound to heal, treatment is needed.

An important thing to know bite was not intentional and they did not want to hurt their owner, in their mind they were just defending themselves.

Does guinea pig bites hurt?

In some cases, guineapig bite can hurt a lot, but usually, their bite is more a nibble (pinch with teeth) than a real bite.

A strong bite that can go to the bone and can happen if you want to break a guinea pig fighting you can make a mistake and try to separate them with your hands they can accidentally bite you pretty hard because at that moment they think it is another guinea pig attacking and they will defend themself.

Keep your hands (fingers) away when they are fighting and separate them with a towel or similar item.

Less painful bite (a nibble) can happen when you are feeding them from your palm or hand, you can feel a little pinch because they mistakenly grabbed your finger instead of food and as soon they realize it is the hand they stop.

So in cases like this, they do not make break skin or make any type of wound so it all normal. For small children, even pinch can seem pretty painful so extra caution when kids are playing with their favorite pet.

What can you do to change biting behavior?

First of all, DO NOT PUNISH your guinea pig in any way. Do not yell at your pet, do not spray them with water or blow air into their nose and do not physically punish them.

None of the punishments will work like it could work with other pets because they do not understand why are you hurting them or make them uncomfortable so they will start to be afraid of you.

If they bite you they are doing that to only to make you stop what you are doing for example clipping their nails, they do not like it and they will show it by biting.

You have to rule out any illness that can cause this behavior and if the vet says that your Cavy is healthy and then go through these suggestions.

If the guinea pig bites you while holding him you should keep it in your hand for a while, do not put them back the moment they bite, keep them with you be relaxed, and slowly put them back. If you put them right away they will learn that biting is the way to instantly get what they want so be patient and they will change the habit.

Anty chewing spray especially for guinea pigs is available online or in a local pet stores and they should be applied on your hands or any other part of the body that your Cavy is biting.

I have already mentioned that washing your hands is important to remove food smells from your hands and avoid your cavy nibble your finger thinking it is a carrot or hay pellets…

Make them relaxed before picking them up do not take them from their cage every time you want to pet them. You can do it when they are in the cage think of it as for example you want to pet the dog an the first thing you do is let it sniff you before petting. So a slow approach is vital for making them get used to you. After petting in the cage you can take them and pet them on the sofa.

A lot of experienced owners hold their guinea pigs in a towel when they want to pet them, first they avoid defecation accidents and also make their pets feel more secure.

Making your furry pet changing their habits is a slow process and you have to be patient and in the end, they learn and you will be able to enjoy more.

Pair your guinea pig with Cavy that is calm and behaves as guinea pig should. They are able to learn from each other so in a way a behavior role model, just makes sure they are the same sex.

How to Prevent Guinea Pig Biting Behavior?

To prevent biting behavior you can do several things but the first rule out any illness as a reason for this behavior so if the vet says fiscally your pet is all good you can try to :

Provide your Guinea pig place to hide like a wood house, tunnel, Plastic igloos (”Pigloos”), burrow bags are important to provide a safe place for them to hide when fell frightened or just want some alone time.

The size of the cage is very important especially if you have multiple guinea pigs . The cages you can buy online or in pet stores are usually too small so most of the owners make some sort of DIY cages and they are usually much better alternatives. So make sure to provide enough space for your guinea pigs and make it interesting for them to explore. If you are able to put the cage/habitat on the table hight they feel more comfortable than on the floor.

Food should be available at all times especially hay (Timoty Hay is the best) it is important for their diet due to nutritional values and also good for their tummy. Also, it helps with keeping their teeth at a proper length by chewing (grinding) all the time.

What to do after a guinea pig bite?

Check the wound if it is bleeding, if there is no blood you are most likely fine and it is like somebody pinched your skin, so just wash your hands and the spot you were bitten and you are set.

In case there is blood and the wound is superficial it has to be treated first with a thorough rinsing with water and antiseptic solutions like betadine and after rinsing, an antibiotic ointment should be applied. Cover it with a bandage. In case it becomes swollen or you feel any change that causes discomfort or burning sensation visit your doctor to check if you need a treatment

In case the bite is deep and bleeding first rinse it as explained before and go to your doctor to receive proper treatment to avoid infections.

Is a Guinea Pig Bite Dangerous?

In most cases, guinea pig bite is not dangerous because they usually nibble (pinch) you and the bite do not brake the skin so no need for special treatment.

In cases when the bite breaks the skin, there is a chance of infection because guinea pigs caries bacteria in their mouths. Chances of infection increase with the size and depth of the wound. The first thing to do is to rinse with antiseptic solutions and consult the doctor.

Signs of Infection

  • Growing redness around the scratch
  • Increasing pain
  • Swelling
  • Oozing from the wound
  • Small bumps on the skin
  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Fever

Disease that can be transmited by guinea pigs

  • Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV),
  • Pasteurellosis (Snuffles; Pasteurella multocida)
  • Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter spp.)
  • Haemophilus influenzae

Detailed explanation about diseases that can be transmitted with symptoms and treatments you can read on the official page of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)

Related Questions

Why guinea pigs bite each other?

When you have more than one guinea pig in the cage they will bite each other for multiple reasons. The most common reason is establishing and keeping hierarchy. Elder Cavy will bite younger just to show him his place in the hierarchy.

Some guinea pigs bite the ears of new guinea pigs in the group to test or demonstrate power. Same goes with biting each other fur in most cases it is fighting for dominance in the group

If the fights between two guinea pigs is constant you should separate them in two cages

In case you notice that one of the guinea pigs is bleeding check if the wound is superficial and if so leave it be and it will heal. In cases, the wound is more serious take it straight to the vet for treatment

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