Unfriendly pigs

Question
Hi. I have 2 female pigs both around 3 months old. I handle them everyday but they do not like this. They both bite me quite badly and one is very nervous. I am very gentle with them and have never hurt them, any tips.
Also, one of the females seems to come on heat every other week and is quite aggressive to the other one, what should i do?

Thanks  

Answer
Jo -

Well, first, in regards to your one animal being quite aggressive to the other one, may I ask you this -- are you 100% positive that both animals are female?  If so, then great.  If you are not, then I would have them checked by a reputable breeder or vet, because this behavior is more typical of a male/female relationship than a female/female one.  If they are both female, then what I would do is make sure to provide lots of hiding space for both animals, so they have their privacy and their places to get away.

Second, in regard to your other question, remember that these are still quite young animals.  Guinea pigs are chewers by nature.  They will chew anything that comes within reach.  That includes you.  I would try to provide them with something else to chew on near their mouths while you hold them.  For example, a friend of mine with guinea pigs in her classroom has a clean dowel rod that goes with the guinea pig when a child wants to hold it.  The child can pet the guinea pig as long as the dowel rod is between the guinea pig's mouth and the child.  That way the guinea pig is happy and the child isn't bitten.

Hope this is helpful.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact me again.  Good luck!

Lorena