Bonded Female Guinea Pigs. One Bullying The other.

[Megan.Ayliffe]

I have two female guinea pigs who have only just recently started being very uncomfortable with each other. I took them on in the summertime this year from a friend who was no longer able to give them the time and proper care needed.
They live in a large enclosure indoors. One of them is prone to getting cysts under her chin and she is the dominant pig. They've been completely fine until the last couple of days where the dominant pig is chasing the other around, entering her hide (they have two separate hides), biting her neck and making her whine/chatter her teeth. I can see she is getting completely stressed and trying to run away from the other. I have separated them for now but unsure if this is the right solution.
Can anyone give me any tips or advice on what to do? Thankyou.

 

[Wiebke]

I have two female guinea pigs who have only just recently started being very uncomfortable with each other. I took them on in the summertime this year from a friend who was no longer able to give them the time and proper care needed.
They live in a large enclosure indoors. One of them is prone to getting cysts under her chin and she is the dominant pig. They've been completely fine until the last couple of days where the dominant pig is chasing the other around, entering her hide (they have two separate hides), biting her neck and making her whine/chatter her teeth. I can see she is getting completely stressed and trying to run away from the other. I have separated them for now but unsure if this is the right solution.
Can anyone give me any tips or advice on what to do? Thankyou.

Hi and welcome

How old are your girls? If they are adults, then your dominant girl has likely been hit by hormonal ovarian cysts.
Dominance/submission behaviour looks more dramatic than it actually is. Holding the neck with the teeth is generally seen in a mating context.

More on ovarian cysts in sows: Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
More on the behaviours you have mentioned: A - Z of Guinea Pig Behaviours

 

[Megan.Ayliffe]

Hi thank you so much for your reply!
I am unsure exactly how old they are, due to rescuing them. I believe they are between 2-4 years old.
Yes, I have been meaning to book the dominant girl (Daisy) in to see a vet as she has had about 3 cysts since taking her in and they don't seem to be clearing up.
I guess being new to owning guinea pigs I am just very worried when something doesn't look or sound right! Thank you for your advice.

 

[aredgrave90]

Hi thank you so much for your reply!
I am unsure exactly how old they are, due to rescuing them. I believe they are between 2-4 years old.
Yes, I have been meaning to book the dominant girl (Daisy) in to see a vet as she has had about 3 cysts since taking her in and they don't seem to be clearing up.
I guess being new to owning guinea pigs I am just very worried when something doesn't look or sound right! Thank you for your advice.

It's normal to be worried as a new piggie owner, especially if you aren't used to the dominance behaviours. My last sow had hormonal ovarian cysts. She was around the same age, and it was all incredibly dramatic! The sooner you see the vet, the better, I would say, because hormonal cysts can cause all kinds of problems. Often, though, they can be treated successfully.

I love piggies, but they are high maintenance

 

[Megan.Ayliffe]

It's normal to be worried as a new piggie owner, especially if you aren't used to the dominance behaviours. My last sow had hormonal ovarian cysts. She was around the same age, and it was all incredibly dramatic! The sooner you see the vet, the better, I would say, because hormonal cysts can cause all kinds of problems. Often, though, they can be treated successfully.

I love piggies, but they are high maintenance

Thank you so much. Yes most definitely, I will get on that asap.
Yep I agree