Guinea Pig Constantly Squeaking/squealing. Am Very Concerned

[Matt Pantaliano]

I have 2 guinea pigs and where-ever the one is she is squeaking. I always have to pick her up and comfort her to have her stop squeaking. The other one is always moving the hideaway, could the other one be scaring her?

 

[sport_billy]

Sorry, for the late reply only just saw your thread. Please make sure they have a hidey each. Depends on the squeaking as to what it means, it could just be piggie chuntering which is a noise they make as the wander round sometimes. Check out this page here http://jackiesguineapiggies.com/guineapigsounds.html

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! How long have you had your guinea pigs for? The dominance phase is lasting for about 2 weeks on average, but it can be longer. Submission is signalled by loud wheeking, and it can give a newbie the impression that a piggy is in pain and distress, when in truth it is a prevention of this.
You may also find these two threads here helpful:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/sow-behaviour.38561/

 

[Matt Pantaliano]

Hi! How long have you had your guinea pigs for? The dominance phase is lasting for about 2 weeks on average, but it can be longer. Submission is signalled by loud wheeking, and it can give a newbie the impression that a piggy is in pain and distress, when in truth it is a prevention of this.
You may also find these two threads here helpful:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/sow-behaviour.38561/

I have had my guinea pigs for well over 2 weeks. This has just started about 3 days ago and I am just concerned. The big one, Tess seems to go after the little one, Pixel. After that Pixel just squeals loudly for a long time. This goes on for a long time. Should I just let them be?

 

[Wiebke]

It sounds like the last stages of the dominance process when the squealing is often worst as it actually gives the little one the opportunity to say how far it will let itself being pushed in their new relationship - and the squealing will often start just at the sight of the top sow making a move.

Please make sure that you have everything in twos and if necessary, provide only hideys with two exits. Hopefully, this last phase will be over in a few days and your girls will start to settle down living together and becoming friends once they have established the shape of their relationship.
Chasing and nipping (just letting the underpiggy feel the teeth without breaking the skin) are very typical dominance behaviours; I call them "throwing one's weight around", so there is no direct violence involved despite all the drama.