Why does my guinea pig bite me when I pick him up or hold him?

Congratulations on your new pet! You need to consider that a guinea pig is a pref species so they are naturally timid and defensive. You can't train them that things are wrong in the same way as say a dog. With gentle and regular handling he should broke much more tame. Chewing is completely normal and i would provide plenty of natural chews and replace the water bowl with a ceramic one.

It does sound as if your guinea pig is painful in this area. I would recommend avoiding touching it and picking him up as much as possible. I would also recommend that you check to make sure he is pooping normally and there is no feces caked around his rectum. If he is eating and drinking and otherwise acting normally, there is probably nothing you need to do. If, however, he stops wanting to eat or becomes lethargic you will have to take him in to be examined by a veterinarian. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

You may be handling Piglet too much, and she is becoming annoyed with you. I would not be worried, but try to be very gentle and if she seems to be getting irritate them put her down before she bites you. See if you can try to avoid some of that behavior before it becomes a pattern.

Guinea pigs aren't always naturally tame as they are a prey species so can be skittish/fearful at first. I would recommend reading this article on how to tame your guinea pig to help develop a bond between you and your pig to allow him to be more relaxed around you: https://www.allguineapig.com/taming-your-guinea-pig/

I suggest you consult with a local veterinarian for help. They can examine Lucky to make sure there is no medical reason for his biting. They can also teach you about nutrition, health care and how to trim the nails. This will be your best option.

I also have had skittish guinea pigs, so I can relate to your problem! Things that may be helpful are making the experience positive when he comes out - this may include favorite food items. You may also try getting into a routine when you are going to pick Spice up. If he has a pigloo or other hidey house, you can encourage him to go in there every time he is being picked up, and then he won’t be surprised when it happens. I hope that gives you a place to start, and please let me know if you would like to do a consult where we can speak more about this!

Thanks for reaching out about Gem and including a photo. She might be biting due to discomfort or pain. The eye being closed is commonly caused by an ocular trauma or infection. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.