Fighting boars

[rosie201996]

Hello everyone!

Just looking for some advice from more experienced guinea pig owners!

I've just got some new piggies and I've never had any before. I got 2 males from pets at home and I've had them about 3 weeks now.

To begin with they were fine and one would mount the other occasionally and after researching online it seemed this was normal behaviour to assert dominance.

In the past few days however I've noticed that it's getting worse and the other one just cries to the point I can't bear to hear it any more, he does hide but the other one just annoys him to move wherever he's hiding!

They do sleep next to one another and play, I've noticed this behaviour is pretty prominent in the evenings. I don't want to separate them as I don't want them to be on their own, they get plenty of floor time through the day as well, have toys and stuff to chew in the cage as well..

Please help! TIA

 

[Wiebke]

Hello everyone!

Just looking for some advice from more experienced guinea pig owners!

I've just got some new piggies and I've never had any before. I got 2 males from pets at home and I've had them about 3 weeks now.

To begin with they were fine and one would mount the other occasionally and after researching online it seemed this was normal behaviour to assert dominance.

In the past few days however I've noticed that it's getting worse and the other one just cries to the point I can't bear to hear it any more, he does hide but the other one just annoys him to move wherever he's hiding!

They do sleep next to one another and play, I've noticed this behaviour is pretty prominent in the evenings. I don't want to separate them as I don't want them to be on their own, they get plenty of floor time through the day as well, have toys and stuff to chew in the cage as well..

Please help! TIA

Hi!

the loud screeching is submission and not pain. You hear it a lot more once your piggies are coming towards the end of the dominance phase (which is lasting a few weeks until all the small print of establishing a working group in new territory is done. That is the time when the underpiggy is allowed to push back and and make clear just how far they allow themselves to be pushed. The screaming translates as 'Don't be mean, I am no rival for your claims!" - It is very efficient.

Please take the time to read these guides here; you should find them helpful in understanding guinea behaviour:
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

Boars: A guide to successful companionship.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

You may also find our full New Owners guide collection helpful, in which we specifically address all the areas we get the most questions and concerns about. The collection ranges from settling and making friends with your piggies (including a spot of piggy whispering), housing (including safe and unsafe toys and cage accessories), diet and care, as well as learning what is normal and not and how to spot early signs of illness, and more. Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[rosie201996]

Hi!

the loud screeching is submission and not pain. You hear it a lot more once your piggies are coming towards the end of the dominance phase (which is lasting a few weeks until all the small print of establishing a working group in new territory is done. That is the time when the underpiggy is allowed to push back and and make clear just how far they allow themselves to be pushed. The screaming translates as 'Don't be mean, I am no rival for your claims!" - It is very efficient.

Please take the time to read these guides here; you should find them helpful in understanding guinea behaviour:
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

Boars: A guide to successful companionship.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

You may also find our full New Owners guide collection helpful, in which we specifically address all the areas we get the most questions and concerns about. The collection ranges from settling and making friends with your piggies (including a spot of piggy whispering), housing (including safe and unsafe toys and cage accessories), diet and care, as well as learning what is normal and not and how to spot early signs of illness, and more. Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Thank you very much for your help