my gp bites

Question
HI,  I BOUGHT 2 FEMALE GUINEA PIGS ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AGO FROM PETSMART.  ONE IS MORE EASILY HANDLED BUT THE OTHER ONE (CINNAMON IS HER NAME) HAS BEEN A NIBBLER , MY HUSBAND WAS ON THE FLOOR WITH HER AND SHE WALKED OVER SNIFFED HIS TOE THEN BIT IT AND DREW BLOOD.  HE WASN'T PETTING HER OR EVEN TOUCHING HER.  THE MAIN PROBLEM IS MY CHILDREN ARE 7 & 10 YRS OLD, NOW THEY ARE AFRAID OF CINNAMON , I AM A LITTLE JUMPY MYSELF.  I SIT BY THEIR CAGE WITH MY HAND IN THERE A WHILE SO THEY GET ADJUSTED TO ME BEFORE ME AND SHE WILL SNIFF ME AND SOME TIMES NIBBLE MY FINGERS.  WHAT SHOULD I DO ? PETSMART TOLD ME I CAN EXCHANGE HER BUT I HATE TO DO THAT TO FLUFFY (MY OTHER PIGGY) THEY GET ALONG GREAT.

THANK YOU, LESLEY

Answer
Hi Lesley

First of all, piggies do not bite out aggression. Cinnamon saw your husbands foot and thought it was a tasty snack. I doubt she will do it again as she now knows feet arent tasty.

Almost all pigs will nibble fingers if you put them near their mouth.

You also have to realise that after just a week and half, cinnamon and fluffy are still getting used to their new home. Gradually they will get tamer. Explain to your kids that cinnamon is a little scared of her new home so you will give her a bit more time to settle in before she can play with the kids.

Andy