Behaviour
Cavies are wonderful to watch. Depending on age, gender, company and surroundings, they will exhibit different behaviours and actions. A few are common and easy to pick. Cavies can also be trained to use one corner of the hutch as a litter box, and even do a little circle for a treat. Check out YouTube for videos of people training their cavies.
· Chattering their teeth – aggression, discomfort, hostility, warning, dominance. Usually nothing to worry about. A submissive cavy will make a soft, high-pitched squeaking sound to show that they are of no threat. This is also a show that they accept the other as the leader of the herd.
· Rumble/purr and strut – non-aggressive behaviour, usually males doing their mating dance. Common form of dominance (sows will also do this to determine a pecking order and will sometimes mount one another)
· Nose-Offs – two cavies may occasionally bare their teeth/raise their noses and peck one another to establish dominance. If both are males that have bred, they are very unlikely to get along and can even fight to the death. If neither have bred, this behaviour is almost unheard of. Keep a close eye on aggressive behaviour. Offer food and distractions in large spaces (freshly cleaned) to avoid any aggression. The highest nose tends to belong to the boss/leader of the herd.
· Fidgeting/nibbling your clothes – This usually means your cavy is telling you they need to pee and want to be put down. Most cavies won’t use you as a litter box. Some don’t seem to mind, though :p
· Biting/attacking – Snorts/hisses can be followed by full-blown fights. This is rare and usually only seen in two dominant males. It is best to pair sexless, young males or two females.
· Chasing – this may sometimes look a little scary but is not an aggressive act. It is common for young cavies to race around their hutch and chase one another as exercise.
· Begging – A cavy will sometimes stand on their hind legs and beg for a treat. This is a very cute behaviour to observe and should be rewarded if it is desired.
· Sleeping – Cavies aren’t nocturnal and don’t sleep for long periods of time. They sleep whenever they are tired (day or night) and with their eyes open. It is sometimes quite scary to see, but they do it as a defence against predators who may eat sleeping rodents in the wild. Older cavies sleep much more than younger cavies, and sometimes even with their eyes closed.
· Pecking – a dominant sow or boar will occasionally butt another cavy with their nose or teeth as a warning that they have breached the other’s territory, made them uncomfortable or as a show that they don’t want to be mounted.
· Scent Marking – If a cavy rubs their bottom on the floor, they are claiming the area. They will commonly do this after you have cleaned out their hutch, to get their smell back.
· Antisocial/facing the corner - Very dangerous! Your cavy may be sick if they hide away in a corner. See an exotics vet immediately.
· Barbering – the chewing of hair. A dominant cavy will occasionally give their hutchmate(s) a haircut. This isn’t usually a problem, and after a while the hair will grow back. It could be a sign of bullying though, so multiple food bowls and water bottles are suggested in case the submissive cavy/cavies are missing out on food.
· Sniffing – It is common for cavies to sniff each other’s mouths and rumps. A cavy being sniffed may nip at the other and chatter their teeth if they become uncomfortable, but this isn’t a sign of aggression and is completely natural.
· Freezing – Cavies are prey animals and will freeze and/or bolt if scared. It is their way or blending/becoming invisible and letting other cavies know there may be danger. It is usually seen if there is a loud noise or sudden movement.
· Popcorning – A wonderful show of a happy, excited cavy. Usually seen in young boars and sows, the cavy will jump into the air and race around the hutch.
· Licking – I like to call it “Cavy Kisses”. My favourite sow Rosemont Yowie commonly licks me as a sign of affection (or maybe because I’m delicious). Note: cavies don’t require a salt lick.
· Coprophagy (eating their own poo) – It may seem disgusting to a human, but it is an entirely natural and necessary act for a cavy. It helps with digestion and absorption of nutrients. A cavy will commonly reach under and pluck poop directly from their rump – this is a soft pellet designed for eating. This is different from the firm pellets of poop in the hutch. As cavies don’t eat processed foods, drink fizzy drinks or eat junk, their faces are clean and safe for eating. (They also make a great garden fertiliser!) Don’t be surprised if your cavies take poo straight from the bottoms of their hutchmates. It is all for their health!
· Chattering their teeth – aggression, discomfort, hostility, warning, dominance. Usually nothing to worry about. A submissive cavy will make a soft, high-pitched squeaking sound to show that they are of no threat. This is also a show that they accept the other as the leader of the herd.
· Rumble/purr and strut – non-aggressive behaviour, usually males doing their mating dance. Common form of dominance (sows will also do this to determine a pecking order and will sometimes mount one another)
· Nose-Offs – two cavies may occasionally bare their teeth/raise their noses and peck one another to establish dominance. If both are males that have bred, they are very unlikely to get along and can even fight to the death. If neither have bred, this behaviour is almost unheard of. Keep a close eye on aggressive behaviour. Offer food and distractions in large spaces (freshly cleaned) to avoid any aggression. The highest nose tends to belong to the boss/leader of the herd.
· Fidgeting/nibbling your clothes – This usually means your cavy is telling you they need to pee and want to be put down. Most cavies won’t use you as a litter box. Some don’t seem to mind, though :p
· Biting/attacking – Snorts/hisses can be followed by full-blown fights. This is rare and usually only seen in two dominant males. It is best to pair sexless, young males or two females.
· Chasing – this may sometimes look a little scary but is not an aggressive act. It is common for young cavies to race around their hutch and chase one another as exercise.
· Begging – A cavy will sometimes stand on their hind legs and beg for a treat. This is a very cute behaviour to observe and should be rewarded if it is desired.
· Sleeping – Cavies aren’t nocturnal and don’t sleep for long periods of time. They sleep whenever they are tired (day or night) and with their eyes open. It is sometimes quite scary to see, but they do it as a defence against predators who may eat sleeping rodents in the wild. Older cavies sleep much more than younger cavies, and sometimes even with their eyes closed.
· Pecking – a dominant sow or boar will occasionally butt another cavy with their nose or teeth as a warning that they have breached the other’s territory, made them uncomfortable or as a show that they don’t want to be mounted.
· Scent Marking – If a cavy rubs their bottom on the floor, they are claiming the area. They will commonly do this after you have cleaned out their hutch, to get their smell back.
· Antisocial/facing the corner - Very dangerous! Your cavy may be sick if they hide away in a corner. See an exotics vet immediately.
· Barbering – the chewing of hair. A dominant cavy will occasionally give their hutchmate(s) a haircut. This isn’t usually a problem, and after a while the hair will grow back. It could be a sign of bullying though, so multiple food bowls and water bottles are suggested in case the submissive cavy/cavies are missing out on food.
· Sniffing – It is common for cavies to sniff each other’s mouths and rumps. A cavy being sniffed may nip at the other and chatter their teeth if they become uncomfortable, but this isn’t a sign of aggression and is completely natural.
· Freezing – Cavies are prey animals and will freeze and/or bolt if scared. It is their way or blending/becoming invisible and letting other cavies know there may be danger. It is usually seen if there is a loud noise or sudden movement.
· Popcorning – A wonderful show of a happy, excited cavy. Usually seen in young boars and sows, the cavy will jump into the air and race around the hutch.
· Licking – I like to call it “Cavy Kisses”. My favourite sow Rosemont Yowie commonly licks me as a sign of affection (or maybe because I’m delicious). Note: cavies don’t require a salt lick.
· Coprophagy (eating their own poo) – It may seem disgusting to a human, but it is an entirely natural and necessary act for a cavy. It helps with digestion and absorption of nutrients. A cavy will commonly reach under and pluck poop directly from their rump – this is a soft pellet designed for eating. This is different from the firm pellets of poop in the hutch. As cavies don’t eat processed foods, drink fizzy drinks or eat junk, their faces are clean and safe for eating. (They also make a great garden fertiliser!) Don’t be surprised if your cavies take poo straight from the bottoms of their hutchmates. It is all for their health!
