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Post by koalabear on Dec 21, 2012 0:38:49 GMT
I have two guinea pigs that are about 3 months old. They are both females and have a 4 foot by 2 foot cage. I got them from a shelter. I went to the shelter and they only had one. I took her and told them if they get any other females, to give me a call, because I had read they need companions. About a week later I got a call they had a female. They told me they were from the same litter, that a couple days ago, someone came in and got a guinea pig, and decided she was too much work, so brought her back. Long story short, the two guinea pigs were from the same litter and were apart for about a week. I put them together on neutral territory and finally put them together. They sleep in separate igloos. One of them makes a sound that is similar to a woodpecker....kind of throaty, and one of them has a wet spot on her back, but no blood. I don't hear them fighting. I have seen scuffles, but nothing that constitutes fighting from what I have read. There are two bowls and two water bottles. They each have their own igloos and their own Ka-bob toy. I have read some guinea pigs just do not get along, so want to be sure they are getting along. One of them chases the other around sniffing her constantly, and I am 100% sure they are both females. Should I separate them? I really don't want to, but want to be sure they are safe and happy.
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 21, 2012 22:04:13 GMT
Hello and welcome! Sorry not to get back to you sooner. The rule of thumb is to let them work out their dominance issues, which is what you are seeing, as long as no blood is drawn. I have a bullying situation with my two girls, but it's under control enough that they can share a cage. The cage is their home, so one will be boss, and will not. Once that's decided, the boss pig will probably remind the other one periodically. That's normal. So watch for the dominant one keeping the other one from the food or water, trapping the other one in the pigloo or biting and drawing blood. As long as that doesn't happen, they should be okay together. That cage is minimal for two pigs. If possible create some levels in the cage. Putting platforms at each end of the cage that they can sleep under and jump up on to, leaves the middle of the cage for hay and play. You can put the water and food on the lofts to get them to jump up there. Exercise and a chance to get away from each other. No need for the pigloos. Give your girls time to settle in, relax and enjoy them  |
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Post by yodelpig on Dec 23, 2012 19:51:21 GMT
The behaviour is totally normal for guinea pigs; they need to establish a hierarchy in a new group/new territory. You can help by providing two hideys/sleeping corners (a towel pegged to the bars is enough) and two food bowls. If you can eventually provide more space that would be great - you will love the difference it makes!
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Post by jolovespiggies on Dec 25, 2012 15:19:23 GMT
A warm welcome to our piggy family love.
Hugs
JO xx
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Post by weesilvie on Dec 27, 2012 9:36:14 GMT
As lonmg as there is no blood and no injuries, then this sort of behaviour is not a problem. You might like to check them over carefully and regularly to make sure there aren't any injuries which you haven't seen. Good luck and have lots of fun with them Oh, and welcome to Wheekers |
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