Dominance or Bullying

Haleyo

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jun 17, 2026
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
50
Location
Arizona
I have 3 guinea pigs 2 sisters(Darla, and Cass) 1 other girl(Ginger). They have for 2 years all bonded really well until about 2 weeks. One of the sisters has always kind of been the dominant pig, but there’s never been big dominance fighting. About 2 weeks ago Ginger started what seemed to be dominance fighting with Cass, only Cass hasn’t been fighting back. Cass squeals in submission. And Gingers fighting has moved to chasing out of beds(we have beds with 2 openings) and chasing away from hay and water(we have double hay and water spots spread apart). There has been runplestrutting and teeth chattering from Ginger. They all each veggies together fine at those feeding times. Cass still eats hay/drinks water but if Ginger is out she may chase her away. Has this shifted to bullying? It’s been 2 weeks now. Do you think Ginger could have some health problems? Or Cass? No one seems to have lost appetites or energy, no limping, no blood seen. It just seems a little more aggressive than dominance fighting to me. Ginger is an Abyssinian and I know they’re known to be spunky but I’m unsure if it’s just personality because this is out of her norm. Any ideas as to what this could be or any suggestions for me to try to help them. We haven’t separated them because we’re nervous about rebonding and there hasn’t been any blood shed. It’s like Ginger will chase Cass out of a bed and stay there, not long chases. And Ginger has tried to chase Darla but Darla stands up for herself, and Ginger hasn’t done it as much to Darla.
 
Has the behaviour from ginger been going on all/most of the time during the two weeks?
Does it seem like she is showing signs of being in season, but that the season doesn’t end?
Is she 2 years old or over?

If the answers are yes - then I would have her checked for ovarian cysts first and foremost.
If cysts are ruled out then you can look to other possible bond related issues.

Sows: Behaviour and Female Health Problems (including mounting and ovarian cysts)
 
Has the behaviour from ginger been going on all/most of the time during the two weeks?
Does it seem like she is showing signs of being in season, but that the season doesn’t end?
Is she 2 years old or over?

If the answers are yes - then I would have her checked for ovarian cysts first and foremost.
If cysts are ruled out then you can look to other possible bond related issues.

Sows: Behaviour and Female Health Problems (including mounting and ovarian cysts)
Ginger is over 2. I could get her looked at for ovarian cysts. Darla the other normal non quarrel guinea pig has now all day today joined and bullied Cass out of beds and such. Is Cass possibly sick? They are all over 2 years.
 
The only way to know if she is unwell is to switch from the weekly weight checks and instead weigh her daily so you can more closely monitor her hay intake; and to get her checked by a vet.

I have added our bonds in trouble guide below

Bonds In Trouble
 
Back
Top