Skip to content
Menu
  • Flowers & Plants
  • Foods To Avoid
  • Vegetables
  • Herbs & Foraging
Guinea Pigster
Menu

Why are my guinea pigs chewing each other’s hair?

Posted on July 25, 2022 by adminguineapg

Have you noticed one of your guinea pigs nibbling on or chewing the fur of another?

This is called barbering. But it’s not quite like a barber cutting your hair.

If this hair chewing behavior goes on too long, the guinea pig being “barbered” can start developing bald patches where the hair is being pulled out. In fact this can happen quite quickly if the chewing is vigorous enough.

There are two main reasons a guinea pig will start doing this to another, and they are in your control to prevent:

One is stress. It’s of the upmost importance that guinea pigs are kept in a stress free environment where they have no fear of anything. If you can’t provide a stress free home, please re-home your guinea pigs to those who can. Stress can be caused by a large range of factors: by the presence of predators like dogs and cats (they should never be allowed anywhere near your guinea pigs), a loud home (such as children screaming), other loud noises in the environment (if the neighbors are building a new house, do move your guinea pigs somewhere where their exposure to the noise can be minimized), poor health and many more factors.

Guinea pigs need hiding places they can retreat to when they want to. Without these hiding spots, guinea pigs become stressed.

Health problems like skin irritation and infection should be checked by your vet.

Bored guinea pigs may also start barbering one another. Guinea pigs should never be allowed to get so bored that this behavior develops. They need lots of room, and plenty to do as well as good food supply.

If you’re sure that your guinea pig is not stressed, they have adequate hiding places, they have a good diet, and there’s no health problems, but the barbering continues then you can consider seeing an animal behaviorist. But the first port of call should be your guinea pig expert vet to rule out any conditions or environmental factors that may be causing this to happen.

Posted in Guinea Pigs

Post navigation

Mites, Lice & Ticks

Related Post

  • Mites, Lice & Ticks
  • Guinea Pigs and Vitamin C
  • Why You Should Not Keep Guinea Pigs & Rabbits Together
  • it's best not to give hibiscus to guinea pigs
    Guide: Garden Flowers and Plants for Guinea Pigs
  • Guinea pigs should not eat bird seed
    Guide: Foods To Avoid For Guinea Pigs
  • kale
    Guide: What Are The Best Leafy Greens for Guinea Pigs?
  • Capsicum or bell peppers for guinea pigs
    Guide: Vegetables for Guinea Pigs
  • guinea pig with wood
    Safe Wood For Guinea Pigs To Chew?
  • Guinea pig in hay bedding
    Guide: Hay For Guinea Pigs Food & Bedding

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

guina pigs can get ringworm

Browse Topics

alfalfa bedding cages chewing clover cucumber dandelion dangerous flowers food foraging fruit grass greens hay herbs housing hutches lettuce oats plants rhubarb toxic treats trifolium vegetables weeds wheatgrass wood

Guinea Pigs

  • Guinea Pigs and Cats
    Cats and guinea pigs dont mix
  • Guide: What Are The Best Leafy Greens for Guinea Pigs?
    kale
  • Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cucumbers?
    cucumber for guinea pigs
  • Can Guinea Pigs Eat Vitamin C Tablets?
    vitamin c tablets
  • Guide: What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
    Which fruit can guinea pigs eat?

Small Animals

  • Complete Guide to Keeping Rats as Pets
    Pet rat
Copyright 2022 Guineapigster.com
  • Privacy & Disclaimer