I have two guinea pigs and one is for sure the dominant one. The dominant one is named Zissou and she has started barbering the other pig named Scrump. It seems to be happening mostly at night and I have lots of toys and a steady supply of hay to try and keep them occupied. There are patches of hair missing from Scrump and she seems annoyed by the whole thing, but there is no broken skin or lesions or anything like that. Am I completely over reacting by being concerned by this? I have two different hideouts and I try and move Scrump to the hideout that Zissou is not in and Scrump runs back to Zissou! I really am just at my wits end and don’t want to be worried over something if there is nothing to worry about. Thank you in advance for your help.
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Am I over reacting to barbering?
- Thread starter Zofo36
- Start date
lildog5
Junior Guinea Pig
Hello I was just wondering how long you have had them?
If there is any other behaviour Issues ?
And finally what type of cage they are in ?x
Incredipigs
Teenage Guinea Pig
I think its fine, my lot are always chewing each others hair off lol 
I have had them about 7 or 8 months. Zissou has at times done some rumblestrutting to show Scrump that she is in control, but no real aggressive behavior. They are in a real good sized open cage that is 2 and a half by 4 feet. Zissou recently has been on medicine for a URI and had to be put on a diet due to being overweight.
Does the one being barbered make distressed noises when it is happening? At times the one being barbered acts slightly lethargic, but has no trouble eating, drinking, or moving around!I think its fine, my lot are always chewing each others hair off lol
lildog5
Junior Guinea Pig
Maybe the medication is just having an affect On the Piggy behaviour however I’m not a vet so I’m not 100% lol .
If the behaviour still carries on I would recommend maybe going back quite a few steps and bring them into neutral ground . And giving the cage a deep clean so there a no sents left in there it has worked for me in the past so hopefully it might work for you too x
piggieminder
Forum Buddy
I think she is probably stressed from the medication as well! If it continues on then I will try to remove all scents from the cage! Thank you for your help.
Thank you!