Guinea Pig Question

[Lisa27]

Hi everyone!  Does anyone here have guinea pigs as well as rabbits?  We have two females who have been together since January.  Now all of a sudden, they are fighting — teeth chattering, biting, etc.  One of them seems to be the primary culprit.  I guess I just need to divide their cage now.  I thought since they always got along, they always would.  But I’ve now read that once they are in adolescence, they may not get along anymore.  Any thoughts or have you been in the same situation? What have you done?

[kralspace]

I started out with 2 females, one normal, one a white lethal (blind, deaf, etc). They didn’t fight because poor Snowflake was dependent on Brownie for a lot of things and Brownie kinda took care of her.

After Snowflake passed, I got a young girl and there were no problems between her and the older Brownie. Once the new one hit puberty (Sweetpea) there were some small tussles, fights and chasing as Sweetpea tried to take over the Head Pig title, but Brownie always won out.

They would go through this every few months or so until Brownie finally gave in and let Sweetpea take over and now they’re very calm again. Being Head Pig just seems to mean Sweetpea chooses her lettuce first or drink from the clean water dish first…lol

[Lisa27]

So I divide their cage or let them just work it out? I have seen Bella with chunks of Autumn’s fur in her mouth so I know she’s biting Autumn. Of course, Autumn has longer fur and easily caught. They are both adolescents now so are probably right with the being head pig title. I just don’t want to see them get hurt as they are so loved and I would hate to see one of them die because of this. Do you think I need to worry or they will just work it out?

[kralspace]

If it’s serious biting, I would put a temporary divider in their cage just so someone doesn’t get hurt.

This is a site I’ve used a lot for trying to figure out what the piggies are doing, it’s got some tips for handling fighters and how to tell how bad the fight is.

http://www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm#Change

[Lisa27]

Thanks! That article was very helpful.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I had four growing up, (four seems to be my number) initially one female, then another -both from the same litter though -the second female was my brothers that he gave me when he got bored. Then I bought a breeding pair (HOW I talked my parent’s into letting me breed?? and Keep the babies?!) that turned out to be both males.

I housed the two females together and the two males seperate, but my females were twice the size of the males-so we let them out all the time to play together. The males did not dare hump my girls.

I never had an issue housing the two females together-the first died at 6 , so they stayed together well after adolescence. I know that piggies generally like being in groups of at least two and generally don’t bite. So I’m puzzled.

I see from reading that article it may be similar to bonding bunnies-bathing them (stressing) to make them accept.
Is this piggie just going into puberty? I wonder if she’s simply hurt somehow or not feeling well-that may explain her sudden aggression.

Also-if they are just going into puberty-are you SURE you have two females? I just turned my friends children’s world upside down when I discovered their female guinea pig was actually ‘packing’

[Lisa27]

I think it’s just adolescence. I have their cage divided right now while I’m at work. They had a big scuffle this morning so I decided I couldn’t worry while I was away. I’m not sure what’s happening. My daughter brought them to her 4H cavy club meeting last week and I’m wondering if they each have the smell of other guinea pigs on them? I don’t know, but it’s stressful. Even during floor time they are at each other.

They are definitely girls. I’ve checked and double checked again and again.

[Kafrn]

Hi Lisa,
We have 2 guinea pigs too, but they are both boys.

We were told by our vet that when they are more than 6 months old it is good to get them desexed because it stops them from feeling frustrated and fighting all the time for “top pig”

we havent had a problem with ours yet though, but will be getting desexed soon so that they dont feel hormonal all the time

[Author]

Messages