Bonding again

[Louise1978]

Hi everyone,


I’m looking for some advice about my two male guinea pigs, as I would really love to get them living together again if possible.


They were originally living together and seemed to get along, although one was definitely more dominant and was constantly mounting and chasing the quieter one.


Unfortunately, about four weeks ago, they had a fight. There was teeth chattering, they jumped at each other, and one bit the other. I separated them immediately, but the bite developed into an abscess that required veterinary treatment. Thankfully, he has completely healed now.


Looking back, I think their cage was probably too small for two males. I was following advice from Pets at Home at the time and didn’t realise how much space they actually needed.


Since separating them, they have been living in different cages but can still see and interact with each other. They seem very interested in one another, often running over to each other’s cages and rumble-strutting back and forth. There hasn’t been any teeth chattering or attempts to bite through the bars.


The guinea pig who was bitten has puffed his fur up a couple of times, but only briefly. Otherwise, they seem curious about each other.


I’m considering buying a much larger 6x2 C&C cage so they would have plenty of space if I attempted to rebond them.


My questions are:

• Is it possible to successfully rebond two males after a fight that resulted in a bite?
• Are their current behaviours encouraging, or could the rumble-strutting still indicate aggression?
• Would a much larger cage make a difference?
• Would you recommend attempting a supervised introduction on neutral territory, or is it too risky?
• Would contacting a guinea pig rescue experienced in bonding be a better option?

I absolutely don’t want either of them getting hurt again, but I would love for them to have each other’s company if it’s safe.


I’d really appreciate any advice or experiences from people who have been through something similar.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum and I’m sorry to hear of their fight.

While lack of space can play a part in raising tensions, a bond tends to end in a fight when there is incompatibility in character.
Having enough space won’t make piggies get on either, it just means they can get further apart but not necessarily live harmoniously.
Sadly character incompatibility is permanent - once they fall out and fight they don’t ever change their minds about each other making rebonding impossible. And as I said, giving more space now won’t make them stand any more chance of getting on.

The behaviours you see between the bars such as rumbling along the divide or laying next to each other at the divide are not positive signs. They are territory marking behaviours - literally making sure the other stays away: they are not signs they want to or can ever live together again.

One of my pairs had a fight four years ago and had to be separated.
About six months after their fight, they were in their divided lawn run but unfortunately managed to break down the divider. They immediately had another fight, injuring each other and both needing antibiotics. It unsettled them so much that it rose tensions in their normal side by side cages for several days afterwards. I would never intentionally reintroduce boars who have previously had a fight.

You can or course try a neutral territory reintroduction if you wish but it is risky after a fight. They would be very likely to just fight again straight away.
Even if they initially appear to go back together, it won’t guarantee the rebonding is successful long term - they would likely always be in a fragile state to the point even cleaning their cage could cause new rounds of dominance and the risk of the bond failing again.

If you can manage having four piggies then you can either contact a rescue and have them each find a new male companion; or have them neutered and then have their own female companion.
If not, they will be absolutely fine living side by side.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Hi

I see you have made another post on this subject.

As it is the same as your previous post and already had my reply, I have removed your new post.

Please do see my previous reply

 

[Louise1978]

Welcome to the forum and I’m sorry to hear of their fight.

While lack of space can play a part in raising tensions, a bond tends to end in a fight when there is incompatibility in character.
Having enough space won’t make piggies get on either, it just means they can get further apart but not necessarily live harmoniously.
Sadly character incompatibility is permanent - once they fall out and fight they don’t ever change their minds about each other making rebonding impossible. And as I said, giving more space now won’t make them stand any more chance of getting on.

The behaviours you see between the bars such as rumbling along the divide or laying next to each other at the divide are not positive signs. They are territory marking behaviours - literally making sure the other stays away: they are not signs they want to or can ever live together again.

One of my pairs had a fight four years ago and had to be separated.
About six months after their fight, they were in their divided lawn run but unfortunately managed to break down the divider. They immediately had another fight, injuring each other and both needing antibiotics. It unsettled them so much that it rose tensions in their normal side by side cages for several days afterwards. I would never intentionally reintroduce boars who have previously had a fight.

You can or course try a neutral territory reintroduction if you wish but it is risky after a fight. They would be very likely to just fight again straight away.
Even if they initially appear to go back together, it won’t guarantee the rebonding is successful long term - they would likely always be in a fragile state to the point even cleaning their cage could cause new rounds of dominance and the risk of the bond failing again.

If you can manage having four piggies then you can either contact a rescue and have them each find a new male companion; or have them neutered and then have their own female companion.
If not, they will be absolutely fine living side by side.

Thank you for your reply, I don’t have the space for another two piggies in two large cages but have the space for 1x 6x2 cage I can divide. It’s such a shame as I have had 2 before numerous times and never had an issue, but yes they are both very opposite in personality traits.
One is very hyper and always curious, the other very timid (he was the one bitten).

If they are fine to live next to each other in a cage with a ramp each for more space I will do that. I spoke to a rescue centre who said getting them neutered had its risks, I don’t want to put them at a possible harm. I don’t want to introduce another with the possibility of another hierarchy status issue again.

I guess they just not meant to be which is a shame as they always trying to get back to each other but as soon as they do they are rumble strutting and spraying all over. I guess it is just a dominance situation all the time. Thank you for your advice, it is much appreciated.

 

[Piggies&buns]

A 3x2 cage per piggy is fine. You can add in a each so they have somewhere else to explore, although a loft area doesn’t increase the cage size.


For information, while there is a risk with any surgery, in the hands of an experienced vet, neutering is one of the safest surgeries for them to have.
As c&c cages can be stacked, it means there is often the option to have two separate pairs of piggies one above the other.
The dynamic between a neutered boar and a sow is different to that of two boars together

Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

It is absolutely fine to keep them as neighbours though.
The behaviour you are seeing in the appearing to try to get back to each other is usually just so they can fight again, it’s not a positive thing.

 

[Wheekallweek]

Sounds like living next door to each other in a 6x2 would be a good plan! They will still have companionship but safely.