Do Guinea Pigs Bite? Correct Treatment After Being Bitten
Guinea pigs are pet rodents that look cute and have a very gentle temperament. During the process of keeping them, guinea pigs will not easily bite people. But we have also heard that "even a rabbit will bite when cornered," so do not push a guinea pig to the limit. If a guinea pig feels nervous, endangered or pressured, it will also bite in order to defend itself.
Do Guinea Pigs Bite?
Guinea pigs are docile by nature and will not bite under normal circumstances, but we have also heard that "even a rabbit will bite when cornered." Therefore, do not push a guinea pig to the limit. If a guinea pig feels nervous, endangered or pressured, it will also bite in order to defend itself.
In which situations do guinea pigs bite?
1. When they are picked up: Guinea pigs basically do not like being picked up or held in someone's arms. This makes them feel very insecure, and they may try to bite the person holding them as a way of communicating that they are unhappy. Usually, this bite is only a gentle nip. However, if the guinea pig encounters additional pressure on top of that, such as children, noise, or unfamiliar and unusual activity, the force of the bite may escalate.
2. When you are holding them and they need to urinate: Guinea pigs like to have a little privacy when going to the toilet! They do not want to urinate on you. If you are holding them, they will generally tell you that they have a special "need." Some guinea pigs will start to become restless, trying to squirm away or jump off your lap or the towel, and some guinea pigs will gently bite the things around them, such as the back of your hand or your fingers. If you ignore their signals at first, the bite will usually increase in intensity, until they give up struggling and simply urinate on you!
3. When guinea pigs are held for too long: If guinea pigs are held for too long, they will also feel tired. They want to return to their own cage.
4. When there are parasites or illness: Skin diseases can make a guinea pig's skin very sensitive to contact. Because they are suffering from a mite infestation, touch feels painful to them, and stroking them causes them even greater discomfort. Due to the pain, their natural reaction may be to try to bite you. If your guinea pig shows this behavior, along with scratched skin, please contact your veterinarian.
5. When certain relatively sensitive areas are touched: Many guinea pigs do not like having their rump touched or stroked. You can first determine whether this is due to mites or illness rather than ordinary sensitivity.
6. Stroking a guinea pig against the direction of its fur: Just like people and other pets, guinea pigs do not like having their fur pushed or stroked in the opposite direction. They will find it very annoying or even painful.
7. When they reach adolescence: This behavior often appears when guinea pigs are between 4 months and 1 year old, or during the baby stage. Once they mature (usually after they turn one year old), the biting behavior will naturally improve a great deal. In addition, if you anger or touch a guinea pig while it is pregnant, it will also display biting and other aggressive behavior.
What should you do after being bitten by a guinea pig?
1. If the guinea pig was bought from the street, the guinea pig's health cannot be guaranteed, and it is recommended to get a vaccine.
2. If it is from a legitimate pet store, there is no need to be too afraid. Rinse with clean water for about 10 minutes, then repeatedly scrub with soap and squeeze out the blood (note: do not use toilet soap, hand sanitizer or similar products, only use soap, because soap has higher cleaning power). Scrub about 10 to 15 times, wipe with iodine tincture and alcohol, do not use an adhesive bandage, as this is not good for the alcohol to penetrate. Gently squeeze with your fingers until the alcohol is completely absorbed, then wipe several more times, then wrap the finger once with cloth tape. Do not wrap it too much, as this is good for wound healing.