Guinea pig biting - advice please

[lottieandmia]

We have two sows. One is far more dominant than the other and was also the more friendly one, compared with the other who likes to hide away. In the last month or so she has started nipping people when we take her out.

I have noticed that there are phases when the two of them seem to get on each other's nerves a bit and they squabble. They also both have long, coarse fur which needs trimming a lot. Lately when we have to trim her fur the biter looks really cross - could it be this that is annoying her?

She doesn't seem to be unwell at all and is always wheeking for food and comes straight out when we put some out for her.

Any advice?

They are 7 months old by the way.

Hi there sorry to hear your sows are being a handful!!
It sounds like they have reached the arsey hormonal stage. Girls do bicker and fuss, the dominant one will be asserting her strength etc. It is a phase and it will pass, but do make sure she is not drawing blood from her companion. And try and put a stop to her nipping you too!

Offer cucumber to her as you are picking her up so she sinks her teeth into something else...

It may be she is getting a bit arsey about having her hair cut so be as gentle as possible, it has been very hot and she might be hot and bothered.... But she is heading towards adolescence so just behaving badly ti assert herself. As with kids, bribery works best!!

Ps
do separate them for a while if they bicker. A big run, lots of grass, hidey igloos, distractions etc.

Thanks so much for your advice - I will try those things.