My Guinea Pig bit me!

Question
I've tried so hard to tame my GP but she doesn't want to know. Everytime I reach out and try to stroke her in the cage she headbutts or nudges my hand out of the way, or tries to sniff me and I take my hand away because i think it wants to bite me, its only 7months. I have a 9 week old baby Guinea Pig thats quivers on my lap and tried to bite me, but I quickly let go how can I tame them? I am extremely terrified of getting bitten!

Answer
Hi Hana,

Sorry for taking so long to reply to you. I have had a number of increasingly problematic issues with my internet as well as being a "live-in nanny" to newborn twins so I have had problems answering many, many questions. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

It can take a long time for piggies to get used to you. Think about why she might bite. Is she in pain? Is she not liking where you are stroking her (rumps and bellies are very common tender spots)? Can she smell veggies or hay on your hands? Does she need to pee?

Make sure you have freshly cleaned hands, and have a little veggie treat with you. That way you can give her a favourite food whens he is being cuddled, so she associates you with something fun and good. Have a towel on your lap or chest when you hold your piggie, and hold her close. Talk to her too - talking as you approach the cage warns her that you are around (so she isn't so surprised to see you suddenly peering over her) and talk to her all the time you pick her up, hold her and put her back in her cage. Pcik her up just after you see her pee, so you know that you should have a happy piggie for 10 minutes or so until she needs to pee again.
Cuddle her little and often - 3 or 4 five minute cuddles a day is often preferable to one hour long cuddle a day.

Remember that nips and nibbles are the more usual actions - biting is when they draw blood or leave a visible mark. If you get licked before or between nibbles, it may even be a sign of affection. Nips can be sore, but you really do feel it when they actually bite.

Never punish your guinea - just take it slowly with her and you will eventually be rewarded with a piggie who enjoys being petted and cuddled.

Again, I'm sorry for the delay. I normally answer questions within a couple of days, and I hope to be back to this routine now I've cleared the backlog that has built up while my internet has been messing about.

Best Wishes,

- Laura
www.cavy-care.com