Bonding A Female Pair - Need Help!

[P.P.Piggies]

Hey this is my first post so sorry if I do it wrong.

Today we purchased a female guinea pig friend for my guinea who's sister had to be put down a few days ago now. She needed a new companion as I know they cant live alone so we found a guinea with the same story. They have been in a large pen all day getting to know one another. Sometimes they will chase each other but the newer guinea pig seems to be the one being chased and is Scared of my original one. Every now and then they get a bit angry when they want to share a hidey or cozy. They are good enough at the moment that I'm able to sit in the room beside them but I can still hear them and if I move a little to the right I can still see them through the door if I think they are being naughty. They have been together for 5 hours now and I was wondering if it would be safe if I let them both free-range in my bathroom over night (of coarse it would be piggy proofed and with towels and hay/water ect.). I'm scared its too soon as my original pig seems to want to be the dominant one as she was before and every now and then, she just wants to make sure the newer pig knows that. The newer pig (sorry I don't have a name for her yet) seems submissive and scared of my original one and I know she doesn't want to be boss but yeh. Is it safe for them to stay the night together? Also, for the first 3 hrs they wouldn't stop teeth chattering and chasing but I haven't heard them chatter in a while.

Thankyou if you can help cause it would be massive help!
~Erin

 

[Wiebke]

Hey this is my first post so sorry if I do it wrong.

Today we purchased a female guinea pig friend for my guinea who's sister had to be put down a few days ago now. She needed a new companion as I know they cant live alone so we found a guinea with the same story. They have been in a large pen all day getting to know one another. Sometimes they will chase each other but the newer guinea pig seems to be the one being chased and is Scared of my original one. Every now and then they get a bit angry when they want to share a hidey or cozy. They are good enough at the moment that I'm able to sit in the room beside them but I can still hear them and if I move a little to the right I can still see them through the door if I think they are being naughty. They have been together for 5 hours now and I was wondering if it would be safe if I let them both free-range in my bathroom over night (of coarse it would be piggy proofed and with towels and hay/water ect.). I'm scared its too soon as my original pig seems to want to be the dominant one as she was before and every now and then, she just wants to make sure the newer pig knows that. The newer pig (sorry I don't have a name for her yet) seems submissive and scared of my original one and I know she doesn't want to be boss but yeh. Is it safe for them to stay the night together? Also, for the first 3 hrs they wouldn't stop teeth chattering and chasing but I haven't heard them chatter in a while.

Thankyou if you can help cause it would be massive help!
~Erin

Hi and welcome

It sounds like your piggies are settling down together and are slowly working through establishing the leadership and the dominance.
Please remove any hideys with just one exit, and ideally not have any hideys whatsoever during initial bonding.

Take the time to carefully read this detailed and extensive guide to understand what is going on; you can find the example of a bonding with similar dynamics in there. It is always down to the mix of personalities as to who comes on top unless you have a major age gap and the new party is still sub-adult or very submissive. Please read the whole guide as it covers the ensuing weeks of settling the dominance as well.
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

 

[P.P.Piggies]

Hi and welcome

It sounds like your piggies are settling down together and are slowly working through establishing the leadership and the dominance.
Please remove any hideys with just one exit, and ideally not have any hideys whatsoever during initial bonding.

Take the time to carefully read this detailed and extensive guide to understand what is going on; you can find the example of a bonding with similar dynamics in there. It is always down to the mix of personalities as to who comes on top unless you have a major age gap and new party is still sub-adult. Please read the whole guide as it covers the ensuing weeks of settling the dominance as well.
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

Thankyou this was really helpful!