7 Top Signs Your Guinea Pig Hates You
Guinea pigs are social animals that show their emotions when they dislike things, so what are the signs your guinea pig hates you?
You may do a lot of things to the guinea pig that will make them detest you, and getting them to like you again isn’t easy.
Most times your actions push your guinea to hate their environment and personality should also be considered when checking why your guinea pig hates you.
Signs Your Guinea Pig Hates You
Feeding only in your absence, hiding when you are around their cage, showing signs of aggression around you, and refusing to take treats from you are the most common signs your guinea pig hates you.
The following are some of the most common signs your guinea pig hates you:
1. Showing signs of aggression around you
Constantly showing signs of aggression when you are around their cage shows two things.
It’s either your guinea pig hates you, or your guinea pig is not comfortable with the environment.
Guinea pigs are gregarious and joyful creatures, but when unhappy or disturbed, they can display indications of aggression.
Loneliness, discontent, worry, or hostility toward the guinea pig’s guardians are not characteristics of a happy guinea pig.
Aggression in guinea pigs manifests itself in biting, scratching, and excessive chewing, but if your guinea pig is happy, you will notice.
Always be on the lookout for these indicators, as they’ll tell you if your guinea pig is content with you or despises you utterly.
Also, read 11 Top Signs your guinea pig loves you.
2. Feeding only in your absence
When guinea pigs are happy with you and their environment, they enjoy their hay anytime, any day without minding if you are there.
One of the most telling signs that a guinea pig likes you is that it will eat or drink while you are watching them.
When its owners are not looking or nearby, an unhappy guinea pig will continually hide to feed or play.
If your guinea pig is eating with your hands in their cage, it’s an indication they’re having a wonderful time.
A guinea pig who despises you will not come out of its hiding place to eat until you have gone; it will not eat while you are present.
3. Refusing to take treats from you
Regularly refusing to take treats from you is a clear sign that your guinea pig is not happy about you or their environment.
This also depends on the taming process you have used, however, if your guinea pig constantly refuses treats from you, then he or she dislikes you.
A happy guinea pig will jump on your palms to take treats and even stay in your palms to eat them.
If you notice your guinea pig is not taking treats from you, you have to find out what is happening to your guinea pig.
4. Hiding when you are around their cage
Hiding when you are around their cage is a sign that your guinea pig is not happy with you, or its environment, and should be addressed.
When a guinea pig likes you, it will run out of hiding when they hear your call, but when it’s the other way around it’s an issue.
Hiding when you are around might imply that they don’t feel comfortable and secure in your company and like having you around.
This is an excellent indicator, as only a pleased and happy guinea pig would treat its owners in this manner.
5. Refusing to play around with you
Guinea pigs are little creatures that do not trust many animals in their environment, including people.
Your guinea pig’s trust is earned over time, not instantly, and this might have an impact on physical activity.
Another way to figure out if your guinea pig likes or dislikes you is to watch them play with their toys every day.
A guinea pig who does not like you will not approach its toy once you arrive; instead, it will hide and emerge when you leave.
They may be bored if they aren’t playing with their toys as much as they used to or have stopped playing with them completely.
6. Ignoring your calls
As you approach their cage and call them, keep a close eye on them, then see if your guinea pig will come out.
If your guinea pig grimaces, flinches, or raises its hand, it’s a sign that it’s about to fight.
On the other side, if the guinea pig moves toward the hand, it indicates that the guinea pig likes the human.
If your guinea pig despises you, he may refuse to come out of hiding when you call.
7. Refusing to cuddle with you
When a guinea pig develops a dislike for you, they get irritable while you are near.
They completely ignore you when you pet them, touch them, call them, or offer them treats.
It takes time for guinea pigs to grow cranky around you, so don’t expect it to happen fast.
This can come in handy if you decide to get rid of the second guinea pig or the toys.
How to make your guinea pig love you
The following are some common ways to make your guinea pig love you more:
- Spend more time with your guinea pig.
- Keep your guinea pig cage clean.
- Provide a safe environment for your guinea pig.
- Play with your guinea pig.
- Provide fresh hay for them daily.
- Avoid shouting at your guinea pig.
- Give your guinea pig treats.
- Don’t leave them alone for too long.
- Take them outside once in a while.
- Provide more space for them to play.
- Get a second companion guinea pig for them.
How to address dominance issues in guinea pigs
It’s vital to keep in mind that although guinea pigs are often prone to dominant behavior, this conduct is really their technique for creating a social structure.
Avoid overcrowding your guinea pigs, give them lots of room to roam and form their own territories, and make sure they receive plenty of exercises if you want to solve a dominance problem with them.
To keep guinea pigs interested and aid in the development of a healthy social hierarchy, it is crucial to give them access to a variety of enrichment and mental stimulation activities, such as toys and puzzles.
To secure the best outcome for your guinea pigs, it could be important to see a veterinarian or an expert in animal behavior if the dominating behavior continues.
Questions
What are the signs that my guinea pig is content?
A content guinea pig will be energetic and lively, with a comfortable stance and a bright, alert countenance.
What signs of stress can I look for in my guinea pig?
Panting, excessive grooming, hiding, and a lack of appetite are all indications that guinea pigs are stressed.
How can I strengthen my guinea pig’s bond?
Spend daily time with your guinea pig, give them treats, and give them a cozy space with a lot of enrichment activities.
What are the signs that my guinea pig likes me?
When you get close, keep an eye out for signals of affection like nuzzling, following you around, or quiet vocalizations.
What tells me that my guinea pig is at ease with me?
You can tell if your guinea pig feels at ease with you by looking for signals like a relaxed body posture, a calm and inquisitive personality, and a desire to be held or petted.
How can I determine whether my guinea pig is hurt or uncomfortable?
The inability to move, slumped posture, shrieking, and obsessive grooming of one region are all indications of pain or discomfort in guinea pigs.
Conclusion
Finally, there are a few indications that your guinea pig may not be content with you. These include avoiding you, being hostile or biting, or acting withdrawn or inactive excessively.
It is crucial to take action to provide your guinea pig with lots of mental stimulation, a secure environment, and frequent veterinarian examinations if they are displaying any of these symptoms.
Your guinea pig may be a devoted and loving companion for many years if given the right love and care.
