CarrieC
New Born Pup
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2019
- Messages
- 19
- Reaction score
- 16
- Points
- 140
Hello there!
My 6 year old guinea pig, Mabel, passed away a few months ago leaving her 5 year old daughter Ada on her own. I recently adopted a young guinea pig called Matilda with the hope she could bond with Ada. I've bonded guinea pigs many times but they have all been boars so bonding sows is new to me! I figured - like other times - a young pig and an older pig would be a good combination. Matilda is VERY feisty and I'm having some difficulties bonding them. They've had a few meetings on neutral ground so far and this is what happens: Ada generally just sits there looking nervous while Matilda approaches her and they both start teeth chattering. Then, Matilda lunges at Ada trying to nip her. There has been no blood drawn yet, thankfully, but to me it seems fairly vicious which makes me nervous putting them together. Ada runs away and will often squeak in fear (?). She's a VERY chilled out, passive pig and doesn't stand her ground at all, she just looks fearful. I'm not sure how to proceed and any advice would be useful. They are in cages next to each other and Matilda seems to want company but Ada doesn't seem that interested. I don't want to upset Ada if she doesn't want anything to do with Matilda but equally Ada was with Mabel all her life and pigs are generally happier with other pigs... Should I keep trying to bond them? Like I said, no blood has been drawn so is this just normal behaviour? Matilda seems like a bit of a bully ..
My 6 year old guinea pig, Mabel, passed away a few months ago leaving her 5 year old daughter Ada on her own. I recently adopted a young guinea pig called Matilda with the hope she could bond with Ada. I've bonded guinea pigs many times but they have all been boars so bonding sows is new to me! I figured - like other times - a young pig and an older pig would be a good combination. Matilda is VERY feisty and I'm having some difficulties bonding them. They've had a few meetings on neutral ground so far and this is what happens: Ada generally just sits there looking nervous while Matilda approaches her and they both start teeth chattering. Then, Matilda lunges at Ada trying to nip her. There has been no blood drawn yet, thankfully, but to me it seems fairly vicious which makes me nervous putting them together. Ada runs away and will often squeak in fear (?). She's a VERY chilled out, passive pig and doesn't stand her ground at all, she just looks fearful. I'm not sure how to proceed and any advice would be useful. They are in cages next to each other and Matilda seems to want company but Ada doesn't seem that interested. I don't want to upset Ada if she doesn't want anything to do with Matilda but equally Ada was with Mabel all her life and pigs are generally happier with other pigs... Should I keep trying to bond them? Like I said, no blood has been drawn so is this just normal behaviour? Matilda seems like a bit of a bully ..
I've seen people talk about boars being difficult to bond but I've been very lucky in that respect and never had any difficulties, but with the ladies.... 
