It’s important to know the guinea pig way of behavior as it can help you understand their moods and if they aren’t feeling well. They are natural attention seekers, can get lonely quickly and give signs by making noise, hopping around or simply just trying to get your attention.

When to know it’s Aggression

• When you hear teeth chattering, that is a sign of an angry guinea pig and a good hint to stay away and give them space. As they rarely bite, beware you might get a nip!
• If there are more than one piggy in the cage, this may be a sign that a fight may break out. This is often the way when two male guineas or two female guinea pigs first meet, and is their way of sorting out the family hierarchy.
• They will sway their body from side to side and show their teeth and their fur puffs up around their neck making them look bigger.
• If you see this going on, it’s best to separate them, before a fight breaks out. Be careful, make use of a towel to place over them to block their vision and separate them into another cage.

Chewing or Barbering another piggies hair

• When a guinea pig chews on a cage mates fur it is referred to a barbering.
• Sometimes it can be interpreted as dominance or the other though is showing kindness.
• The cavy that is receiving the barbering may sit calmly and enjoy or headbutt to notion for it to stop.

Begging for food by whistling or standing up

• Guinea pigs love treats that are tasty and aren’t shy to speak up and beg for them.
• A confident piggy will start to whistle and even stand up on their hind legs if they suspect a deliciousness treat has potential of coming their way.
• They create all this fuss, in hopes that you will see and hear their excitement and bring the treat on!

Reasons why your Cavy may bite

• Rarely do they bite their owners, some may bite by accident if you are feeding them. As they are excited they sometimes forget a finger might not be food! It’s a good idea to wash your hands if you have been handling food if you are going to handle your pet.
• When you are handling your pet properly as they tend to get worried that you will drop them and give you a little nip to remind you to be careful!
• If you cavy has been handled for awhile, and they nip at your clothes, they could be trying to tell you I have to go to the bathroom!
• Some may fidget, fuss and moan is their way of requesting to be put back in their cage.
• Sometimes they acquire mites . which is very painful and they will nip at them for relief . If you happen to be holding them and your hand is in the way of a mite, you might get nipped by accident.

Gnawing and chewing the cage bars

• Sometimes an indication they want food or think a food is on the way to them
• Can be an indication that they are bored or lonely
• Can also be a indication that their cage is too small and confined for them causing a lack of exercise and leaving them stressed.  They require ample room to move about, exercise and play.
• They are natural herd animals and if you are confident in their care, consider getting another one, to keep each other company

Eating their own feces

• It may seem strange to us, however it’s not strange behavior for your pet and please try not to discourage them from doing so.
• This is their way of re-digesting what their system didn’t ingest the first time around. It may not seem normal to us, however to your guinea pig, it is quite normal and try not discourage this behavior.

Curled up in a corner

• This can indicate that your pet isn’t feeling well or an illness and can also appear like depression.
• If you offer them their favorite treat and stll get no or little response,  best to call your veterinarian right away. They can become ill quickly and best to attend to their health right away.

Frozen on the spot

• In the wild they are prey animals and it’s instinctive for them to be on the lookout.
• If they hear a sudden loud sound or the potential of a threat, they often stand still. In herd behavior this is a way of letting the other members know as there is a small vibration of sound signaled with fear that the other member can hear and pick up on.

A Guinea pig licking

• Some guinea pigs like to lick you when you are holding them.
• Perhaps it is because they are tasting and enjoying salty skin.
• Some believe that it is another way of expressing affection.

Having a good Sniff

• Part of their natural behavior used to recognize one another, hierarchy relationship establishing and determining if in heat.

The nose nudges

• Can be a way of saying hello to each other. When they are eating, the dominant guinea pig will nudge another away to provide access to claim their share.
• If one pig is being too greedy and hogging up the food, place another dish of food out at the same time.
• Sometimes when you are holding them, they will nudge you to signal to stop stroking them. Best to respect their wishes and try stroking in another location, like the head or chin or neck.

Jumping

• If you see your guinea pig jump into the air, also called pop-corning, this is a good sign as they are delighted and happy.
• Pups tend to do it more so, as they are lighter in their own body weight, however full grown adults can do it too!

Running and Hiding

• By nature guinea pigs are shy and timid and it’s normal for them to run and hide away as a form of protecting themselves.
• It may take some time for your pet to get to know and become comfortable with you, so be patient.
• Not all guinea pigs are fond of being picked up and this may also be why they are running away as them fear that is might happen.

Scent Marking their territory

• It common for a lot of animals to mark their territory with their scent.
• They also use the scent for location and in the wild, would have scented pathways to safety.
• Often if bedding has been changed, they will scent the area to make is familiar territory to them.

Sleeping, more like napping

• Being a prey animal in the wild, guinea pigs do not sleep for long lengths of time, as they need to be alert to danger. Unless they are extremely relaxed, you might see them lay on the ground with their legs stretched out.
• Not until later in life, that they will sleep more than younger ones.

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