Fighting or playing?

[beautiful_day]

Hi,

I am having trouble working out the behaviour of our guinea pigs, and whether I should intervene.

Two males, we got them two weeks ago from a family. Not brothers, probably 5 and 8 months-ish, although I have no proof, just the word of the other family. They said they never fought. So they don’t actually fight, but they go a bit wild sometimes - this morning they have been chasing each other in circles around the cage, lots of nipping and that low growling/purring type noise. Now they have settled.
They don’t snuggle together and usually sleep separately, but can happily share food.

Is this boisterous playing? Dominance? Fighting? Sohuld i do anything or just leave them to it, as there are no actual injuries.

One is very tame, the other more scared but cuddly and gradually getting less scared.

Anything that would help?

Thanks!

 

[DizzyD95]

My girls chase each other all the time, little nips - I think it's just a dominance thing. As long as they are both eating food and one isn't bullying the other and not letting him have any then I think it sounds quite normal! As long as no blood is drawn it is simply them sorting out who's the boss

 

[Tangle]

Running around in circles sounds like it could be just piggies having fun - do a youtube such for "guinea pig zoomies" and see if it looks similar. Do they ever bounce in the air? If so that would be pop corns, and definitely a suggestion that they're happy boys expressing some joie de vivre . Rumbling and slinky movements would be rumble strutting.

How big a cage do you have them in? The more space they have the better chance they have of being able to establish a mutually acceptable way of life, even if they have moments of wanting some alone time (much like a couple of men I know - they need a Man Cave to hide in from time to time, then life is all very harmonious )

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

I am having trouble working out the behaviour of our guinea pigs, and whether I should intervene.

Two males, we got them two weeks ago from a family. Not brothers, probably 5 and 8 months-ish, although I have no proof, just the word of the other family. They said they never fought. So they don’t actually fight, but they go a bit wild sometimes - this morning they have been chasing each other in circles around the cage, lots of nipping and that low growling/purring type noise. Now they have settled.
They don’t snuggle together and usually sleep separately, but can happily share food.

Is this boisterous playing? Dominance? Fighting? Sohuld i do anything or just leave them to it, as there are no actual injuries.

One is very tame, the other more scared but cuddly and gradually getting less scared.

Anything that would help?

Thanks!

Hi! These behaviours are mild to moderate dominance and nothing to worry about.

Please take the time to read these guides here. You will find them hopefully very helpful. They are also part of our new owners most helpful guides collection, which addresses all the areas that new owners have the most questions and worries about.

Learning to understand interactive social behaviours and what they mean: Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
Guinea pig instincts and how they work: Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Dominance behaviours in grading of aggression/submission: Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Our boar guide: Boars: A guide to successful companionship.
When boar bonds are in difficulties (including what you can do to minimise any problems): Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

Our new owners guide collection link (making friends with and handling piggies, understanding instincts and behaviours, housing, daily care, learning what is normal or not and how to spot illness/when to see a vet etc.) : Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[beautiful_day]

Great, thanks, the guides are helpful. Especially about respecting the dominant piggy, I hadn’t thought of that at all and we just move them in any order.

I will try to film the next “zoomie” - he was shooting around the cage as if someone was launching him like a pinball!