Bullying when eating

[LynnFin]

One of my girls seems to be bullying the other when it comes for food, she is literally steeling food from her and won't let her get to the bowl, as she chases her away and snaps at her, it's been going on for a few days now. I've had to separate them when feeding just so she can eat. Is this normal? I've had them for over a year and it's never been a problem before. I've seen them do the wiggle dominance thing loads of times, but there's no sound or posturing when it comes to food. What do I do?

 

[Piggies&buns]

The dominant taking food from a submissive can be normal (the dominant gets their pick of everything) but actual food bullying and not allowing the other to eat is not normal and can potentially be a sign of a bigger issue.

I would recommend you remove the food bowl - we don’t recommend their use at all for several reasons: - eating from a bowl is a bit of a mindless activity and doesn’t allow them to be mentally stimulated in any way; - it also means the dominant can food hog.

Instead it is best to scatterfeed veg and pellets into loose piles of hay or around the cage. This provides mental stimulation and encourages natural foraging abilities. It also means the dominant cannot hog it all.

Is the submissive piggy’s weight stable?
Hay is the main proportion of food intake so it is essential she is able to get enough (it’s all very well separating during veg time but if hay intake is impacted then it is a much bigger issue).
If she is being food bullied and chased away from hay all the time then she may start to lose weight and you would then have to take further action (syringe feeding, potential separation).

Another key point is looking to why this may be happening now. Is the dominant showing any signs of being unwell?
Is she in season?

 

[LynnFin]

I haven't noticed any problems with the hay, but will keep an eye on it. She does seem to have lost some weight, but she's always been smaller. I will remove the bowl and scatter feed them. Thank you.
If it continues what should I do? Take them both to the vet for a once over?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Hay intake cannot be gauged by eye. You have to weigh them each week as part of routine care to know whether they are eating enough hay.
If you have concerns you then switch to daily weight checks so you can monitor more closely and enable you to step in (syringe feeding in the case is illness; next step of determination of dysfunctional bond for bullying).
If you haven’t been doing weight checks and think visually she has lost weight then this may have been going on for longer than you think.

Double up hay piles (if you don’t already have at least two).
Ensure all hides have two exits.
Ensure your cage is big enough (150x60cm recommended for sows).

Yes do get a vet check done.

Do also be aware and prepared that bullying can be bond breaking and can mean separation is needed. I’m not telling you to separate them right now but getting to the bottom of this - whether medical or dysfunctional bond - is important.

Please do read the guide below - it explains bullying and how to test for it with a temporary separation (several days in separate but side by side cages to see if the submissive piggy perks up being away from the other).

Bonds In Trouble

I have also added our weight management guide

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/weight-monitoring-and-management.171577/