Currently bonding guinea pigs

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oscarbunny

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Hi,

I need some advice please. I have put my two 4 year old guinea pigs together on the sofa on a towel. They have only nipped each other once. There has been lots of teeth chattering and squeaking but it hasn't been sustained. We have had lots of yawning from one guinea pig, and the usual approaching and heads in the air and then backing away.

They are currently sleeping facing each other, flopped out. Is this a good sign or are they exhausted from the bonding?
 
Forgot to add that I have tried to bond them before and they fought instantly and I had to separate. They have been living together in a cage where they can see each other.
 
Sorry. They are both female which is why I didn't think it would work. They are both sleeping flat out, legs kicked out. They have also shared some hay, although they did do the chattering and head raising.

I don't post here often, so I am very grateful for your reply.
 
No worries, I'm happy to help.

This is normal behaviour. They will chatter teeth, they will purr and vibrate and maybe sway their behinds at one another. They will also show teeth to one another, I have bonded sows who have been together for years who bear their teeth at one another every so often, and of course, they may nip each other every so often.

The thing to remember with guinea pigs are they are right soppy anothers and at the slightest touch from a human or another pig, will make a great fuss over nothing.

I'd only seperate them if one or both draw blood from one another, otherwise they will/should be fine.
 
Thanks very much! What should I expect to happen during the next few hours?
 
Your very welcome. Probably more of the same behaviour. They might nip and make some noise at one another. But just remember, as long as no blood is drawn, they will probably be fine.

Its just a case of sorting our heirachy, once they figure that out (which only they can do between them) they'll be fine.
 
Hi,

bonding is still going ok. They are mainly sleeping and occasionally going up to each other and teeth chattering and raising heads. Then they go back to sleep. They are only 15cm away from each other and have been for most of the time.

When should I move them into a cage? They are currently living in a large cage which was split down the middle so they could see each other. I have another idential cage that I could clean and keep them in there and watch them bond. Is it too soon to do this and will it confuse them with it being the same cage even though they havn't lived in it.
 
Thanks for all of your help. I tried to bond them but I don't think I had the nerve to allow them to squabble and nip and bite each other. So I stopped it. Then can see each other and seem much happier alone, but they like to know each other are there.
 
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