Guinea Pig Bond Broken?

[brittanyanne1999]

Hello, I have 2 female guinea pigs named Cookie and Autumn who are both almost 2 years old. I have been contemplating separating the two because Autumn seems to love to bully Cookie to where she does not leave her hide all day long unless she needs water or food. Cookie doesn't act out, she is just peaceful and doesn't bother anyone. Autumn will come and attack her for no reason. There will be times where Cookie will be taking a nap in a hide house and Autumn will come up to the door, sit in front of it for a while staring at Cookie and then suddenly jumps at her and leaves Cookie crying out loudly for a while until Autumn leaves. She does this to her everyday and I don't know what to do. Discipline doesn't seem like it can be in play here because how in the world do I discipline a guinea pig? When I put them apart, Autumn does nothing but lay in a hide all day and doesn't come out while Cookie will immediately jump to happiness. The second I put them apart, Autumn seemed depressed and Cookie starting popcorning and running around her side. I don't know if the bond is broken or if there is any way I can fix it. I don't have space or money for another guinea pig, 2 is plenty. They used to get along so well and one day, out of the blue, Autumn decided to act this way. I separated them a while ago because of medical reasons, about 2 or 3 months they were separated. I put them together and for a while, Autumn was nice and now she is back to doing the same things. If it comes to having to give Autumn to another family then I will have to because this issue is just Autumn bullying Cookie for absolutely nothing. If there is any advice anyone can give me to solve this issue, I would appreciate it. I will attach a picture of Autumn if it comes to the point where I will be giving her away to another family.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I know I have commented on your previous post about this issue.
If cookie is happier to be separated away from autumn, then yes the bond is dysfunctional. The bully (autumn in this case) will always be upset by the separation but it isn’t her reaction that is your guide.
There is very little you can do to fix a dysfunctional bond. You simply can’t make piggies like each other.

You should get autumn checked for ovarian cysts as a sudden change in behaviour can be a symptom.

They can live in to separate cages side by side so that they can still interact through the bars.

Bonds In Trouble
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

 

[brittanyanne1999]

I know I have commented on your previous post about this issue.
If cookie is happier to be separated away from autumn, then yes the bond is dysfunctional. The bully (autumn in this case) will always be upset by the separation but it isn’t her reaction that is your guide.
There is very little you can do to fix a dysfunctional bond. You simply can’t make piggies like each other.

You should get autumn checked for ovarian cysts as a sudden change in behaviour can be a symptom.

They can live in to separate cages side by side so that they can still interact through the bars.

Bonds In Trouble
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

I just wanted to seek more opinions and suggestions on what to do. These are my first guinea pigs and it's just something hard for me to understand and grasp. I don't understand what can possibly have caused Autumn to act out that way. She has gone in for an xray and there is nothing wrong with her. She is healthy in all ways. She is loved, taken care of, her cage is cleaned once a day or if I'm busy than once every 2 days, they are given a hefty and good amount of veggies and greens as well as oranges for Vitamin C and given Vitamin C tablets. I have started putting Autumn first (I dont know if you are the one who told me to start putting Autumn first) by giving her her medicine first, her hay, her food, her treats and everything. After I clean, I let her explore first and let Cookie in later. I don't want to have to deal with the constant squabbles and squealing. I am woken up every morning by Cookie crying because of Autumn. I'm scared of trying to get another one because what if it becomes 2 guinea pigs attacking Cookie? Is there anything I can do? I know it is a dysfunctional bond at this point but I have separated them in the past and it was all well at first then she started attacking her again. I don't have anything to separate the ttwo. I just am at a dead end, I feel.

 

[Siikibam]

I don’t know if you mentioned it previously, but how big cage? I’m afraid you can’t do anything about a dysfunctional bond. Piggies will either like each other or not. It’s based on personality rather than anything else, and once they’ve decided that’s it. I would separate and have them live side by side Then they can still interact through the bars. Communication is also about body language.

One thing to note about feeding. If you’re giving them a balanced diet then there’s no need to extra vitamin c or the tablets. Fruits should be fed sparingly and as an occasional treat rather than a daily/weekly thing. Oranges (and other acidic fruits) can actually cause sores for your piggies. So I would cut down to maybe 0.5-1 segment every few weeks.

 

[brittanyanne1999]

I don’t know if you mentioned it previously, but how big cage? I’m afraid you can’t do anything about a dysfunctional bond. Piggies will either like each other or not. It’s based on personality rather than anything else, and once they’ve decided that’s it. I would separate and have them live side by side Then they can still interact through the bars. Communication is also about body language.

One thing to note about feeding. If you’re giving them a balanced diet then there’s no need to extra vitamin c or the tablets. Fruits should be fed sparingly and as an occasional treat rather than a daily/weekly thing. Oranges (and other acidic fruits) can actually cause sores for your piggies. So I would cut down to maybe 0.5-1 segment every few weeks.

Thank you. Honestly, It's hard for me to make sure everything runs perfectly and smoothly because these are my first piggies. I have separated them and they both seem very pleased about it.

 

[brittanyanne1999]

I know I have commented on your previous post about this issue.
If cookie is happier to be separated away from autumn, then yes the bond is dysfunctional. The bully (autumn in this case) will always be upset by the separation but it isn’t her reaction that is your guide.
There is very little you can do to fix a dysfunctional bond. You simply can’t make piggies like each other.

You should get autumn checked for ovarian cysts as a sudden change in behaviour can be a symptom.

They can live in to separate cages side by side so that they can still interact through the bars.

Bonds In Trouble
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

Also, I have just now separated them and Autumn was very happy. She leaped around, popcorning and running around as well as Cookie who seemed very relaxed and relieved. I think they both like being separated but together through the bars at the same time. I think the separation is what is going to have to be done from now on because it seems to benefit everyone

 

[Piggies&buns]

Also, I have just now separated them and Autumn was very happy. She leaped around, popcorning and running around as well as Cookie who seemed very relaxed and relieved. I think they both like being separated but together through the bars at the same time. I think the separation is what is going to have to be done from now on because it seems to benefit everyone

I think you’ve made the right decision. For them both to be happier now sounds like their bond was dysfunctional and living separately is best.

 

[Siikibam]

You’ve made the right decision for THEM. That’s the best thing you can do as a piggy owner.