Aggressive Sow.

[abby]

Pinky. The dominant female of the two sows I have, seems to be quite aggressive. She displays some dominance behaviours with her cage mate Diesel, she doesn't like snuggling with Diesel, but they generally seem to get on ok, but it is more with me, or anyone holding her that she becomes more problematic. When I am trying to get her out of her cage, back in after floor time or even when I am just petting her on my lap, she nudges hard with her head, jumps and flinches and lays down on her side or back and kicks with her back feet.... Is this normal in anyway?
I have had both girls since April and they are my first two piggies. Diesel, is harder to catch as she is like lightning,, but when I get ready to lift her, she lets me but just makes a whole lot of noise about it, and stays quite calm for lap time.
I am worried about Pinky's behaviour as she wasn't like this in the first few weeks and I have a 3 year old who wants to pet her and I'm worried things might escalate.
Had her checked at the vets twice when her mood started to change as I thought she might have a fungal infection that turned out to be just dry skin and she has been treated for it.

 

[Wiebke]

Have your treated her for mange mites? That causes painful skin. Xeno 50 for guinea pigs under 800g and xeno 450 is for guinea pigs over 800g; you can get it online.

How old is Pinky? If she's not a youngster, it may be worth checking her out for ovarian cysts, as that can cause aggression problems, especially smaller cysts that do not necessarily have to come with any of the other trypical signs like hairloss on the sides.

It can however just come down to her having a trauma about being handled and to her being settled enough to express herself very strongly with you. Personally, I would stop trying to stroke and pet her and rather see whether you can build up a relationship through interaction. It has worked for me with extremely skittish piggies, but it is a slow process that will take months.

Here is our tutorial video that will hopeful help you with the pick up stress: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/videos/

 

[abby]

Pinky is only about 26 weeks old. I didn't treat for mange mites, she doesn't seem to be scratching much, should I treat her anyway? I'll have a look at that tutorial too. Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

It may be worth a shot, keeping in mind that it may not do the trick! Some people swear on preventative mites treatment every three months - personally, I don't, but I do treat any piggies before I take them dating at a rescue to make sure that they are not carrying anything in.
Your girl is far too young for ovarian cysts (which are usually not developing until middle age at the earliest), so you can exclude that possibility.

It is most likely that as she is coming out of her shell, she is simply making very clear that she doesn't like being handled and petted. Personally, I would stop trying to turn her into a petty pig and see whether she and your children are happier with her being a play piggy - watching her explore mazes, fruit juices you have swirled on a saucer etc. Rather try to gain her trust slowly and see whether she is any good at picking up tricks and commands with lots of praise and encouragement!

 

[TAN]

One of my old girlies sounds very much like your piggy - but she was great at "turning a circle" for a treat - easy to teach and fun to watch for a child - I also have a rescue pig that lets my daughter stroke her in the pen and on her lap,but moans like billyo if I try and stroke her and moans even more if I put her on my lap - I have no idea why,I have never nipped a toe nail or hurt her in anyway and both my daughter and I are blonde - she just doesnt like me to touch her - but will happily run over and take veg off me.