Bonding Skinny Pig?

[Dystopoly]

So, I’ve had my skinny pig (Persephone) for about a month now, and she’s nice and settled in with no disruption to my males in the same room (but unable to see her.) I’ve been keeping an eye out for a while for any suitable adoption girls to be able to put with her, and one has JUST come up that I’m hoping will be perfect - as she seems very submissive, and Persephone seems to be a bit more on the dominant side.

I’m planning on introducing them on neutral ground tomorrow and keeping my fingers crossed - but I’m admittedly a bit nervous as this is the first time I’ve ever tried bonding guinea pigs with No previous relationship. I’m mostly very concerned that neither of them have been raised around other pigs, and also that Persephone is hairless and this new piggy is not. I’ve done lots of research on proper bonding techniques, but is there anything special I should be worried about with her being hairless? Is it maybe less likely to work with neither of them having been raised around other pigs?
I would sincerely appreciate any input from other skinny pig owners who have experience with bonding!

 

[HeatherRose]

Skinny pigs are just like other piggies with bonding, the only difference is they don’t have fur to protect them from nips and scratches. My little skinny pig Jasmine had some nasty scratches and a few bite marks after a failed bonding. Luckily I had several piggies of my own to try with her and I found the perfect match with Anna, they are inseparable now. As with furry bonding just be ready with a towel to scoop them up if there is trouble.

 

[Betsy]

@PigglePuggle has a skinny and so does @Flutterby they should be able to help you.

 

[Flutterby]

Skinny pigs are just like other piggies with bonding, the only difference is they don’t have fur to protect them from nips and scratches. My little skinny pig Jasmine had some nasty scratches and a few bite marks after a failed bonding. Luckily I had several piggies of my own to try with her and I found the perfect match with Anna, they are inseparable now. As with furry bonding just be ready with a towel to scoop them up if there is trouble.

Just follow the bonding guides on the forum and be aware that there may be scratches etc on your skinny that would otherwise be protected by fur (Obviously if blood is drawn from a bite then separate immediately).

 

[Wiebke]

So, I’ve had my skinny pig (Persephone) for about a month now, and she’s nice and settled in with no disruption to my males in the same room (but unable to see her.) I’ve been keeping an eye out for a while for any suitable adoption girls to be able to put with her, and one has JUST come up that I’m hoping will be perfect - as she seems very submissive, and Persephone seems to be a bit more on the dominant side.

I’m planning on introducing them on neutral ground tomorrow and keeping my fingers crossed - but I’m admittedly a bit nervous as this is the first time I’ve ever tried bonding guinea pigs with No previous relationship. I’m mostly very concerned that neither of them have been raised around other pigs, and also that Persephone is hairless and this new piggy is not. I’ve done lots of research on proper bonding techniques, but is there anything special I should be worried about with her being hairless? Is it maybe less likely to work with neither of them having been raised around other pigs?
I would sincerely appreciate any input from other skinny pig owners who have experience with bonding!

Hi!

Here is our very detailed step-by-step bonding guide: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

What you have to be aware is that many dominance behaviours take the presence of fur for granted, so skinnies are at a higher risk of scratches or unintended shallow bite marks that would be normally cushioned by the hair coat. Otherwise there is no difference.

 

[Dystopoly]

Well, even with the best of intentions the bonding was not a success. The girl I brought home seemed pretty happy comfortable and excited to try and make a friend, but Persephone just didn’t seem to be having any of it. There was no teeth chattering in the beginning from either of them, but after a very minor scuffle I think she just got very upset and never recovered. I let them try to socialize it out for about an hour, but had to separate them as they both starting nosing at each other and getting ready to lunge. (It’s a very good thing I was wearing oven mitts for the new girl to bite instead of Persephone, or she would’ve had a pretty nasty scar.)
I have a video of a little bit of their interactions from about 30 minutes in - I was wondering if anyone could help me learn a bit more about both of their mannerisms?

From everything I could see, Ginny (the non-skinny) was doing everything in her power to show that she was non-threatening. Is there something in her behavior that I’m missing that would indicate upset? I’m just really hoping poor Persephone isn’t too socially awkward to find a friend.

 

[Wiebke]

Well, even with the best of intentions the bonding was not a success. The girl I brought home seemed pretty happy comfortable and excited to try and make a friend, but Persephone just didn’t seem to be having any of it. There was no teeth chattering in the beginning from either of them, but after a very minor scuffle I think she just got very upset and never recovered. I let them try to socialize it out for about an hour, but had to separate them as they both starting nosing at each other and getting ready to lunge. (It’s a very good thing I was wearing oven mitts for the new girl to bite instead of Persephone, or she would’ve had a pretty nasty scar.)
I have a video of a little bit of their interactions from about 30 minutes in - I was wondering if anyone could help me learn a bit more about both of their mannerisms?

From everything I could see, Ginny (the non-skinny) was doing everything in her power to show that she was non-threatening. Is there something in her behavior that I’m missing that would indicate upset? I’m just really hoping poor Persephone isn’t too socially awkward to find a friend.

Hi!

It is a classic case of fear/insecurity. Teeth chattering and lunging (a strongly worded 'stay away from me') are not aggressive but defensive, usually fear based behaviours. The same goes for instinctive deep bites from a piggy on edge reacting to a sudden movement from an angle they do not expect.
Give them time to interact and get to know each other through the bars - and I am not talking about a couple of days.

" Biting" And What You Can Do (Biting, Tweaking, Nibbling and Nipping)
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics (see chapter on fear-aggression)
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities (discusses the various challenges that come with single piggies in a range of situations; including piggies that are afraid of others, which is not at all uncommon)