Aggression with my two piggies

[Harriet2002]

Hi,

I have recently bought my first ever pair of guinea pigs. They are two Californian boars. They are 4 months old.

They have been housed together since they were born. They live in a two storey hutch right now. When I first got them nearly two months ago from a breeder.

When I picked them up one have two big chunks of fur missing. The breeder explained she had housed them with a different guinea pig and imagined it had kicked off with them which she didn’t think would happen as they were so young. They fur was starting to grow back and any cuts had scabs but the fur was the only noticeable thing.

My two piggies wouldn’t use the bottom half of the hutch and I soon realised that it was due to how steep it was. I have now raised the ramp and have been encouraging them to use it on their own.

Today was the first day they were running up and down on their own popcorning all over and it all seemed fine. However once they were both on the bottom level the slightly bigger piggie really started to get aggressive and chased the other around.

The next thing I know I hear a huge commotion in the hutch and I have ended up with the smaller piggie with a huge rip in his ear.

I have now seperated them.

I don’t know what to do from here as when they are in the pen having play time or are just both on the top level and have no access to the bottom there is never any aggression apart from the occasional chase and it ends there.

I feel like I’m going to have to let go of the aggressive piggie as I don’t want them to just be constantly alone and seperated yet there isn’t enough room for me to get the smaller piggie a buddy when they can’t have access to all of the hutch.

Does anyone have any advice as to how I can stop the aggression or can it not be stopped and I just happen to have an aggressive unsociable piggie

Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

I have recently bought my first ever pair of guinea pigs. They are two Californian boars. They are 4 months old.

They have been housed together since they were born. They live in a two storey hutch right now. When I first got them nearly two months ago from a breeder.

When I picked them up one have two big chunks of fur missing. The breeder explained she had housed them with a different guinea pig and imagined it had kicked off with them which she didn’t think would happen as they were so young. They fur was starting to grow back and any cuts had scabs but the fur was the only noticeable thing.

My two piggies wouldn’t use the bottom half of the hutch and I soon realised that it was due to how steep it was. I have now raised the ramp and have been encouraging them to use it on their own.

Today was the first day they were running up and down on their own popcorning all over and it all seemed fine. However once they were both on the bottom level the slightly bigger piggie really started to get aggressive and chased the other around.

The next thing I know I hear a huge commotion in the hutch and I have ended up with the smaller piggie with a huge rip in his ear.

I have now seperated them.

I don’t know what to do from here as when they are in the pen having play time or are just both on the top level and have no access to the bottom there is never any aggression apart from the occasional chase and it ends there.

I feel like I’m going to have to let go of the aggressive piggie as I don’t want them to just be constantly alone and seperated yet there isn’t enough room for me to get the smaller piggie a buddy when they can’t have access to all of the hutch.

Does anyone have any advice as to how I can stop the aggression or can it not be stopped and I just happen to have an aggressive unsociable piggie

Thanks

Hi and welcome

It doesn't sound like you got your piggies from a good place in the first place. Breeder piggies are often very much more on edge because they and their mothers are born and grow up in a very stressful environment.

Please be aware that your two boys are now teenagers; new spaces can spark a new round of dominance. But it is unlikely that they will go back together again or make it through the teenage months together as they are very obviously not matched up for personality; it is not something for sale breeders (especially not low end ones like the one you have been using) or pet shops are interested or even aware of.

Take the time to carefully read these guides here. Your future options depend very much on where in the world you are since we have members from all over the world. You can help us by adding your country, state/province or UK county to location in your account details to make them appear with every post you make and allow us to tailor any recommendations straight away to what is really relevant and available where you are instead of having to keep any answer as general as possible. You can access your account details via clicking on your username on the top bar.

As frustrated as you may be, please never give a piggy of yours away into just because they are doing what they are wired to do and are simply behaving according to their social rules and natural instincts.
Your piggies were your choice; not theirs. Your responsibility as a good owner is to find a solution that is ensuring that any pet of yours is at all times in safe hands and has their own needs and welfare (including character compatible companionship) ensured.

Until we can help you with better practical advice on how to move on knowing what the realistic options in your wider area are, please take the time to carefully read these guide links here. They will help you understand what has happened, why it has happened and what your options are. Please do not make any knee-jerk decisions when your are upset but take the time, do your research and think things through so you won't end up with a decision you will always feel bad and guilty over.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)

 

[Siikibam]

Please don’t give your ‘aggressive’ Piggy away. As said above, he’s acting as he’s wired to do. There are solutions to boars that can’t live together - side by side cages so they can still interact through the bars.

I’m sorry you find yourself in this situation. Being related or living together from birth doesn’t guarantee a long pairing. It’s all based on personalities, like us humans.

Separate them for now, with one in each level. If possible could you have a new setup so they’re side by side? You could perhaps sell the hutch ...

Read through those threads and good luck.