My guinea-pig scares me

[embalina]

My guinea-pig nips me every time i stroke him
Why is this?

[Lady Chutterly]

Is this a new behavior? How long have you had the cavy? Are you holding him securely but gently? Are you stroking from head to rear, the direction the fur grows?

[Foggycreek]

All good questions.

Also, where did you get him? Many pet store guinea pigs have mites, which can make being touched painful.

Many guinea pigs nibble on fingers or hands if you put them in front of their faces. Usually it's not meant to be harmful, just curiosity. Most real bites are caused out of pain or fear.

[embalina]

Um... I've had him since christmas but my other guinea-pig is the total oppisite. We've took him to the vets and he's had some injections in case it's mites. I hold him securly if i can because he bites when you pick him up

[Foggycreek]

He must be afraid of being picked up, I guess. Maybe you could get one of those cuddle sac things and herd him into it and then pick it up. Or a small box on it's side.

[funky_gpig1990]

My guinea pigs have the same problem. Particularly my pumpkin, when i pick her up she tries to escape and her eyes bulge with fear even though we try to handle her regularly and Im very firm ad gentle. Please let me know if you find out why this may be!

[VoodooJoint]

I recommend a vet visit to get treated for mites. GPs normally do not bite but mites make their skin so painful that being touched is agony.

It is also possible to treat for mites yourself Guinea Lynx :: Mange Mites

[kbarrett2000]

Originally Posted by funky_gpig1990

My guinea pigs have the same problem. Particularly my pumpkin, when i pick her up she tries to escape and her eyes bulge with fear even though we try to handle her regularly and Im very firm ad gentle. Please let me know if you find out why this may be!

T0 funky and embalina, I have no clue how long you have had your guineas, but where you
got the piggies may also contribute to their behavior. I rescued my sweet pumpkin, (in the
avatar you see) from a shelter. When I picked her up she would try to bite and escape from
me by jumping out of my hands. She would jump and hide at the slightest sound or when
I entered the room. She was so scared, I knew she had been abused by the previous owner.
I simply kept holding her as often as I could, spoke to her softly everyday, gave her floor time
with the other pigs, and gave her a steady consistent routine. I have had her since October.
She no longer tries to bite. She is still somewhat skittish, but I can hold her now. I still have
a long way to go to build her trust, but now she nibbles at the sides of the cage to be picked up.
She still runs and hides from me, but when I have her she gives me the ultimate love purr!!!!
I was so waiting for that. And now she gives happy squeeks. Before she wouldn't talk at all.
Keep trying, be patient. They will learn to trust you.

[Foggycreek]

Very few guinea pigs have actually been abused. In reality, they are just afraid of being picked up and carried, and many animals' reaction when being afraid is to bite. Since they are prey animals being chased around by "the hand" and then swooped up into the air, then carried, can be terrifying. Some guinea pigs will get over this, and others never will.