Olivitree
Junior Guinea Pig
Hey all, I've read the pinned post about sows, but I'm slightly concerned about my pair due to Tilly being at a serious disadvantage.
Recently, Tabby, the larger one, I assume is top piggy, but recently for no apparent reason she just gets really grumpy and starts rumble strutting and attempting to mount Tilly who... lets say isn't quite right in the head and doesn't appear to be doing anything wrong, more often than not just chilling out somewhere not too close, snoozing, or eating.
I assume Tabby has either come into season, or Tilly has and is upsetting Tabby with the hormonal smells (they both really do smell now, I'm not sure which one is causing the smell but they're making my hands greasy when I pick them up! I think a bath is in order for one thing)
a few factors that should be considered:
The behaviour:
My questions:
.
Fankoo all, any help, advise, or suggestions are very welcome
Recently, Tabby, the larger one, I assume is top piggy, but recently for no apparent reason she just gets really grumpy and starts rumble strutting and attempting to mount Tilly who... lets say isn't quite right in the head and doesn't appear to be doing anything wrong, more often than not just chilling out somewhere not too close, snoozing, or eating.
I assume Tabby has either come into season, or Tilly has and is upsetting Tabby with the hormonal smells (they both really do smell now, I'm not sure which one is causing the smell but they're making my hands greasy when I pick them up! I think a bath is in order for one thing)
a few factors that should be considered:
- I have recently (with in a month or two) changed onto fleece bedding, though they seemed not to have issues previously.
- Tilly really isn't right, she never has been after an ear infection when she was young which she is now constantly on antibiotics for.
- I've not seen this behaviour before but I only got them from my sister this summer.
- They're probably around 2 or 3.
The behaviour:
- Tilly will just be minding her own business, but this is nearly constant, occasionally there's respite when Tabby is snoozing or just for a bit while they ignore each other/are both eating.
- It's typical dominance behaviour, rumble strutting, butting, nipping and mounting.
- Tilly wont have any of it, she complains a lot, occasionally runs away but for the most part just squeals in an annoyed way at Tabby and threatens to bite her when Tabby touches her in any way.
- No real fights or blood drawn.
- Tabby has been chewing the bridge between the two cages a lot more than usual.
- Apart from the bedding and behaviour nothing else has changed and they have not recently been apart for any period of time.
My questions:
- Is this likely to be Tilly or Tabby in season or is there another underlying problem arising? As far as I knew, Tilly couldn't really care less about dominance so I assume it isn't her over stepping the mark.
- Should I do anything? For example, bathing them so they don't smell quite so musky or cleaning out their cage more regularly than normal?
- I'm worried about Tilly because she isn't well balanced, she falls over really easily and flounders around like guinea pigs do and I'm worried she's going to hurt herself on the hides or food bowls, I know generally you shouldn't interfere, is there anything I should do in these circumstances? Should I remove hard objects from the cage or will that upset their territory too much?
- Should I reduce cuddling them to a bare minimum and only get them out if it's necessary like giving Tilly her antibiotics?
.
Fankoo all, any help, advise, or suggestions are very welcome
