Guinea pigs are fascinating creatures, and people have spent a great deal of time trying to understand their behavior. In most cases, when a guinea pig is really loved, the family that it lives with will come to know what different behaviors from their guinea pig mean. However, most guinea pigs have common behavior traits as well, and each of those behaviors also means something.

When your guinea pig chews hair, known as barbering, he is displaying dominance. This is common when there is more than one guinea pig in a pen. The dominant guinea pig will chew the hair of another guinea pig. This is one behavior that you don’t have to worry about – no harm will be done to the chewed guinea pig.

Most guinea pigs are not biters, but they bite despite this. Usually, it is because something is wrong – and you simply need to look at the guinea pig to see what the problem is. Holding the guinea pig in the wrong way, scaring him, or touching sore or irritated skin can all lead to biting. You may notice your guinea pig biting inanimate objects, such as the bars of a cage. He is simply looking for something to gnaw on.

When a guinea pig becomes angry, he will become aggressive. You will note his aggression by his chattering teeth. He will literally clack his teeth together, and it is important for you to keep a safe distance, and to discover what has made him angry, and correct the problem.

Guinea pigs do eat their own feces, as they are coming out of the rectum. This is normal, and no cause for worry. It is actually called Coprophagy. It may be disgusting to you, but it is quite pleasant and normal for your guinea pig. Leave him alone to do what he wants to do.

When a guinea pig is playing or exploring, and suddenly freezes, this could mean a couple of different things. First, it could mean that something frightened him. More often, however, he has detected a new scent, and he is using his sense to determine whether this new scent is friend or foe.

A guinea pig may lick you, and it is believed that this is a show of affection. When a guinea pig popcorns, this means that he is very happy. Guinea pigs popcorn by running and then leaping into the air – like a kernel of popcorn.

If your guinea pig starts swinging his or her hips back and forth, while making a vibrating sound, he or she is doing a mating dance. A female guinea pig will surprise you, by mounting other guinea pigs – regardless of whether they are male or female. This is a sure sign that she is in heat.

When a guinea pig is depressed, he will hide in the corner. He will typically face the corner, with his rear end facing out of the corner. When he does this, he needs cheering up, and often, a favorite treat will do the trick.

Again, there are many behaviors that will indicate exactly what is going on with your guinea pig. It is important to understand his body language, as this is really his only way of communicating with you.

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