Fighting vs Playing

[stasia]

I have two sister pigs that have been together since birth. Sometimes their sounds make it confusing to me if they are playing or fighting. I know one sister is a little bit of a “bully” and is definitely one to poke around at the other sister. I’m just not sure when I should be concerned or if there is something I need to do. The sounds differ from the typical “wheeking” and will more so come from the more submissive sister in a “yelling” manner. I’m super worried. They have a two story c and c cage the bottom is 2x4 and the top 2x2. The more dominant sister will go upstairs But the other will not. I have had them since November and they were 6 weeks when I got them. If I go near the cage during this behaviour they will stop and start wheeking and both approach me. There is never fighting for food or cut marks on either pig, they seem to be relatively fine besides these minor altercations. They are my first pigs so I want to make sure I am doing everything I can!

 

[Reenie]

When one piggy show dominance behaviour, the other often squeals blue murder. This is their way of saying 'OK, OK, I know you're the boss', and is nothing to worry about. As long as the underpig isn't being kept away from food, humped constantly, or they are fighting etc, all is fine. How are they when you take one out of the cage? If they're looking or calling for each other that is a sign of a good strong bond (no worries if they don't though)
In the forum tab at the top of the page there are some threads on bonding and behaviour which should put your mind at rest.
Welcome to the forum x

 

[Swissgreys]

Welcome to the Forum.


It sounds like your girls are a typical pair and have a clear hierarchy.
Their cage is a good size, and as @Reenie said the squeals and pushing each other around are typical behaviour when one piggy is saying 'I'm the boss' and the other piggy is making it clear that she is not about to challenge that.

You might find some of the threads on typical guinea pig behavior helpful:
Behaviour, Bonding & Bereavement Guides

The otehr thing you may want to start is weekly weighing of both of your girls.
This will allow you to track their weights and make sure they are both getting equal access to food.

 

[Wiebke]

I have two sister pigs that have been together since birth. Sometimes their sounds make it confusing to me if they are playing or fighting. I know one sister is a little bit of a “bully” and is definitely one to poke around at the other sister. I’m just not sure when I should be concerned or if there is something I need to do. The sounds differ from the typical “wheeking” and will more so come from the more submissive sister in a “yelling” manner. I’m super worried. They have a two story c and c cage the bottom is 2x4 and the top 2x2. The more dominant sister will go upstairs But the other will not. I have had them since November and they were 6 weeks when I got them. If I go near the cage during this behaviour they will stop and start wheeking and both approach me. There is never fighting for food or cut marks on either pig, they seem to be relatively fine besides these minor altercations. They are my first pigs so I want to make sure I am doing everything I can!

Hi!

Please take the time to read this guides here.
Sow Behaviour
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Any decisions /actions of yours depend on whether your sows are still in the dominance phase of a bonding (in the weeks after the initial move to your home), are having a strong season about every two weeks or (as adults) are suffering from developing ovarian cysts and are behaving like they are constantly in season. As things stand, we cannot help you to judge what you are dealing with due to lack of background information.

Please make sure that any hideys only have two exits, that there are at least two hideys that cannot be controlled by one piggy at the same time. Make also sure that hay and water access cannot be controlled by one piggy (have hay and water in two very different places). Feed pellets (1 tablespoon per piggy per day) and veg (no more than 50g per piggy per day) in bowls at least one body length away from the other and remove in between meals or sprinkle veg and pellets all over the cage floor. This minimises food and housing dominance behaviour.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

 

[stasia]

When one piggy show dominance behaviour, the other often squeals blue murder. This is their way of saying 'OK, OK, I know you're the boss', and is nothing to worry about. As long as the underpig isn't being kept away from food, humped constantly, or they are fighting etc, all is fine. How are they when you take one out of the cage? If they're looking or calling for each other that is a sign of a good strong bond (no worries if they don't though)
In the forum tab at the top of the page there are some threads on bonding and behaviour which should put your mind at rest.
Welcome to the forum x

When they are separated they are VERY vocal! I’m so happy to hear that. Thank you!