...Teaching degus not to bite?

[khay]

So as I've posted in my other post about the chirping, I have 5 12 wk old brothers.

I'm guessing that their nibbling on fingers is more of a curious, exploration thing because of being young?

It wouldn't bother me too much if there wasn't the odd bite that HURT

I just don't want to allow it to turn into a habit either.........

Is there anyway to teach them not to nibble on fingers?

[Sunshinemeg]

nibbling on fingers is actually a mix of testing to see who you are, and at their age to see if you are food. But also, an older degu will nibble on your fingers as a form of grooming you. They respond to being stroked and scratched by returning the favour and grooming you back!

[Hanlou]

Yes, lol, mine do this all the time.

I squeak and pull my fingers away when they get a bit over-enthusiasitc. It works qute well.....

[khay]

Sunshine---Interesting....The nibbling doesn't bother me one bit, it's when a nibble turns into a bite O.O Thanks for letting me know that though or I would be here in a year trying to figure out why they haven't stopped nibbling yet lol

hanlou----- Thanks, I will try that

[ra]

I found imitating their angry squeak and retreating from their room worked well as hanlou suggests. They are gregarious and enjoy our company. If you let them know that hurt and you will not keep them company as long as they bite they will learn. I really think the Degus don't realize human skin is thinner and not covered with a protective layer of fur. We have to teach them the boundaries.

Those bite do hurt don't they? I had one bad bite when, unthinkingly, I reached to pickup Mocha when she was doing one of the shrill alarm squeaks. I was so worried I moved too quickly and frightened her more. She bit side to side through one of the pads of my fingers.

I've had my girls over a year now and don't remember the last time I was bitten. Tanzania tends to nip a little out of curiousity, but does not draw blood.

Remember to wash any bite well with an antibacterial soap and perhaps dress with an antibacterial ointment and bandage. The bites can get badly infected.

[khay]

Wow, ouch! Thanks ra.

Actually it is seeming to work, I'm not getting as many hard bites as I was Onyx, who was the worst for leaving marks on me lol is especially getting better.

[diet otaku]

mine did a lot of nibbling when they were first getting to know me (the only time they ever drew blood, though, was when i was trying to pick up frenzy while he was scared, and again when i tried to break up a fight with my hands T__T) but they can barely be bothered to sniff my hands now.