Argh help! SPRAYING!

[ChunkyMunky]

I lost my pig Cuddles back in July & Squeek was lonely.. My friend was getting rid of her pigs because her daughter wasn't paying attention to them, so I've left them for a few days to get used to the new surroundings and noises. I introduced Squeek to them one at a time. It was going okayish. Typical guinea pig banter.. But then they both decided to gang up on my Squeek when she was being nothing but nice & welcoming. Took her away for a bit then tried again and they started spraying at her! I have never seen that before but squeek looked very upset.. I let the two guinea pigs out earlier on their own & they done nothing but spray, then spray over each others spray, THEN spray on each other! I know it's normal but how do you stop it? My bedroom stinks. To my knowledge they are 2 years old. Thanks for reading! X

 

[first_time_piggie_mum]

bump

 

[Abi_nurse]

Sorry but you cant stop it. Its normal guinea pig behavior and your piggies need to bond and it should settle down with time. But even now my bonded herd will occationally do this to one another in annoyance. You need to try and let them be instead of taking them away from each other so they can sort it out between them, by taking them away it means they have to start the bonding process again. Also try to make sure the area is as neutral as possible and that they have plenty of space.

x.

 

[Claire W]

Please do not separate your girls unless there are signs of aggression. Everything you describe is normal behaviour especially during the bonding process.

You say that Squeek looked upset. In what way? Guinea pig dynamics and squabbles can look far worse to us than it actually is.

My top sow Eliza is nearly 5 and my group of 4 have been living together for well over two years now. Eliza will still occasionally spray her friends and they will even do it to each other.

I agree that the smell isn't nice but I'm afraid you will just have to put up with it as there is nothing you can do to stop it.

This thread may help http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38561

 

[ChunkyMunky]

She turns away & goes in the corner & doesn't even try.. I've never seen a guinea pig spray before in my long years of owning them. The two girls have bitten Squeek & drawn blood. They are definitely not getting near her again!