Guinea Pig fighting

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MrsBee

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Hi, we have two male 1 year olds who we have recently adopted from my childrens school.
They are about 13/14 months and have been a pair for at least 10 months +.
1 is the dominant male, but on the whole they get on very well - except, however, when we move them into their large indoor run.
When they are moved into their indoor run / playpen, the dominant one will frequently chase the other one around, nipping him.
The less dominant one ends up hiding behind a house or in a corner etc, clearly hoping the dominant male stops.
The rest of the time, in their cage, the garden or if they are on the sofa together they are very close with each other.
Does anyone know why the dominant male always seems to have a go at his friend only when they are in the indoor run / playpen?
How can we overcome this?!
Thank you 🙂
 
Sounds pretty normal to me... Just my opinion though, somebody will be able to give a more expert opinion. :D
Welcome to the forum!
 
So in their cage their is no chasing or nipping? On the sofa I'd expect them to be calm as they are nervous and prey instinct will kick in...

When you say nipping, is there any sign of bite marks? Ear tears?
 
Where do they normally live? Is it in the same room as their playpen? A change in environment can cause dominance displays to set off, so if they are being moved into a difference space, that could be the cause.
 
sport_billy said:
So in their cage their is no chasing or nipping? On the sofa I'd expect them to be calm as they are nervous and prey instinct will kick in...

When you say nipping, is there any sign of bite marks? Ear tears?
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply, its very helpful!
Their cage is a double decker so I'm thinking its the fact that they can seperate a bit more that means they fight less in the cage.
They do square up to each other in their cage at times, teeth chattering etc, but it never amounts to much. They usually swap who is upstairs/downstairs frequently, and sometimes both are on the same floor.
There is an ear tear on the less dominant male but it appears to be old.
In the indoor run, the dominant one will often nip his friend several times but on his back/ middle area, it doesnt seem to break skin though, and for no reason at all. He will also keep chasing, nudging from behind with his head.
 
Piggies&buns said:
Where do they normally live? Is it in the same room as their playpen? A change in environment can cause dominance displays to set off, so if they are being moved into a difference space, that could be the cause.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply, its helpful!
Their cage (they are indoor pigs) is in our hallway, but their indoor run /playpen is in our lounge room. They have been coming into it for daily for a few weeks in the evenings.
They have an outdoor run, but as it has been getting colder etc, it hasnt been guaranteed for them to go out every evening, but we always make sure they will go in the inside run every day either way.
We have only had them for a month or so, so its hard to know what they've been like in the past.
 
It sounds like it may be a bit of a strained relationship.
How big is their cage? Their normal cage and their playpen?
I have two boys. Mine are younger at 8 and 9 months old. They don’t snuggle together and sometimes they sleep on different floors of their hutch, but they get on really well despite the occasional bicker but there is never teeth chattering or chasing and nipping.
 
Piggies&buns said:
It sounds like it may be a bit of a strained relationship.
How big is their cage? Their normal cage and their playpen?
I have two boys. Mine are younger at 8 and 9 months old. They don’t snuggle together and sometimes they sleep on different floors of their hutch, but they get on really well despite the occasional bicker but there is never teeth chattering or chasing and nipping.
Click to expand...

It does seem to sound a bit strained doesnt it, they teeth chatter quite a lot to be honest. The dominant one usually instigates it, by coming in to the others space / house etc and generally wanting him to move, it seems.
Their cage is 100 by 50cm, two floors, and their playpen is approx 100 by 120cm.
They never snuggle together, apart from when they are on the sofa or when they are first put in their garden run, again defensive I'm guessing?!
 
MrsBee said:
Hi, we have two male 1 year olds who we have recently adopted from my childrens school.
They are about 13/14 months and have been a pair for at least 10 months +.
1 is the dominant male, but on the whole they get on very well - except, however, when we move them into their large indoor run.
When they are moved into their indoor run / playpen, the dominant one will frequently chase the other one around, nipping him.
The less dominant one ends up hiding behind a house or in a corner etc, clearly hoping the dominant male stops.
The rest of the time, in their cage, the garden or if they are on the sofa together they are very close with each other.
Does anyone know why the dominant male always seems to have a go at his friend only when they are in the indoor run / playpen?
How can we overcome this?!
Thank you 🙂
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome!

Guinea pigs always have to re-establish their group hierarchy in any new territory.

Please let them settle in the cage first. Make sure that there are no hideys with two exits, so the underboar can always escape and make sure that you have at least two of each, hideys, bowls, water bottles, coseys and access to hay that cannot be blocked.
Only take to other locations once they have worked through the dominance phase and have settled down together again. Otherwise they have restart the whole process all over again with each new place they are taken to.

Please take the time to read these guides here:
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
Bonds In Trouble
Boars: A guide to successful companionship.

You may also find our new Owners guide collection helpful as we are addressing all the areas that we get the most questions and concerns about. Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
 
I am afraid those cages aren’t big enough and may be contributing to the tension.
For two boys you need 150cm by 60cm, but 180cm by 60cm would be better. Two floors doesn’t count I’m afraid. Piggies are ground roaming so it is only one floor which counts towards cage size. Upstairs levels are bonus, but it doesn’t make the cage bigger
 
MrsBee said:
It does seem to sound a bit strained doesnt it, they teeth chatter quite a lot to be honest. The dominant one usually instigates it, by coming in to the others space / house etc and generally wanting him to move, it seems.
Their cage is 100 by 50cm, two floors, and their playpen is approx 100 by 120cm.
They never snuggle together, apart from when they are on the sofa or when they are first put in their garden run, again defensive I'm guessing?!
Click to expand...

Please take leave of the myth of guinea pigs being cuddle monsters. With rare exceptions the majority will happily spend quite some time away from each other. This doesn't mean at all that they are not bonded or happy. ;)

Teeth chattering is mild dominance. Please give them the space to sort themselves out. Weigh once weekly. If your underboar is losing more than 50g weight, then is the time to test for bullying as described in the 'bonds in trouble' guide.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome!

Guinea pigs always have to re-establish their group hierarchy in any new territory.

Please let them settle in the cage first. Make sure that there are no hideys with two exits, so the underboar can always escape and make sure that you have at least two of each, hideys, bowls, water bottles, coseys and access to hay that cannot be blocked.
Only take to other locations once they have worked through the dominance phase and have settled down together again. Otherwise they have restart the whole process all over again with each new place they are taken to.

Please take the time to read these guides here:
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
Bonds In Trouble
Boars: A guide to successful companionship.

You may also find our new Owners guide collection helpful as we are addressing all the areas that we get the most questions and concerns about. Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
Click to expand...

Thank you for the reply, its much appreciated!
Their cage and outdoor run are the same ones that they have lived in for 10 months since the school bought them, so it is just the indoor run that we have introduced!
I will definitely
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome!

Guinea pigs always have to re-establish their group hierarchy in any new territory.

Please let them settle in the cage first. Make sure that there are no hideys with two exits, so the underboar can always escape and make sure that you have at least two of each, hideys, bowls, water bottles, coseys and access to hay that cannot be blocked.
Only take to other locations once they have worked through the dominance phase and have settled down together again. Otherwise they have restart the whole process all over again with each new place they are taken to.

Please take the time to read these guides here:
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
Bonds In Trouble
Boars: A guide to successful companionship.

You may also find our new Owners guide collection helpful as we are addressing all the areas that we get the most questions and concerns about. Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, its much appreciated!
The cage and outdoor run is the same one that they have lived in for the last 10 months, but the indoor run /playpen is new to them!
We will defintely read the pages/information that you have suggested, thank you🙂
Piggies&buns said:
I am afraid those cages aren’t big enough and may be contributing to the tension.
For two boys you need 150cm by 60cm, but 180cm by 60cm would be better. Two floors doesn’t count I’m afraid. Piggies are ground roaming so it is only one floor which counts towards cage size. Upstairs levels are bonus, but it doesn’t make the cage bigger
Click to expand...

Thank you, what a shame, we will have to sort this, as the cage was what they came with when we adppted them!
Thank you again!
 
Just a wee note to reassure. I have a trio of boars, very unusual situation. Over the while there have been a few upsets, but one of the worst was during floor time....I really thought the honeymoon was over, but when I returned them to their main cage, they were fine again. I'm really just agreeing that a change of environment can temporarily upset even the strongest bond, but if it's already shaky, it could be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Make sure any new location has lots of their old stuff, unwashed, to keep the smells right. Good luck x
 
Welcome to the forum

You’ve already been given lots of helpful advice.
Hope you enjoy the forum and please let us see pictures
 
MrsBee said:
Thank you for the reply, its much appreciated!
Their cage and outdoor run are the same ones that they have lived in for 10 months since the school bought them, so it is just the indoor run that we have introduced!
I will definitely


Thanks for the reply, its much appreciated!
The cage and outdoor run is the same one that they have lived in for the last 10 months, but the indoor run /playpen is new to them!
We will defintely read the pages/information that you have suggested, thank you🙂


Thank you, what a shame, we will have to sort this, as the cage was what they came with when we adppted them!
Thank you again!
Click to expand...
c&c cages can be a good option, they are very adaptable and give piggies a bit more space than shop bought cages - could be an option
 
Reenie said:
Just a wee note to reassure. I have a trio of boars, very unusual situation. Over the while there have been a few upsets, but one of the worst was during floor time....I really thought the honeymoon was over, but when I returned them to their main cage, they were fine again. I'm really just agreeing that a change of environment can temporarily upset even the strongest bond, but if it's already shaky, it could be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Make sure any new location has lots of their old stuff, unwashed, to keep the smells right. Good luck x
Click to expand...

Thank you, great advice! I just wondered though, without sounding completely stupid, how long until their new indoor run/ playpen becomes familiar to them?
They were obviously going to their outdoor run daily/regularly before we adopted them, and we have been putting them either in their outdoor run or their indoor pmaypen every day since we have had them which has been about a month now. Do we keep to this routine now that we have started it, hoping that its becoming more familiar to them every day?
Also, could I ask too (sorry!)it was mentioned through this thread that the two storey cage that they came with is only 100x50 so too small for them. Their indoor run/playpen is 120x100. Is this also too small for them?
Sorry for all the questions!
 
MrsBee said:
Thank you, great advice! I just wondered though, without sounding completely stupid, how long until their new indoor run/ playpen becomes familiar to them?
They were obviously going to their outdoor run daily/regularly before we adopted them, and we have been putting them either in their outdoor run or their indoor pmaypen every day since we have had them which has been about a month now. Do we keep to this routine now that we have started it, hoping that its becoming more familiar to them every day?
Also, could I ask too (sorry!)it was mentioned through this thread that the two storey cage that they came with is only 100x50 so too small for them. Their indoor run/playpen is 120x100. Is this also too small for them?
Sorry for all the questions!
Click to expand...

Don't worry about asking, that's what the forum is here for. I'm not an expert, I only go on what I've experienced and what others have said on the forum. Full bonding/hierarchy can take a few weeks, but every time you change their area, is 'new' to them. Mine are fine out on the lawn, but always have a bit of a spat at floor time. I think it really just depends on your boys, how strong that urge is. You could keep trying, but if you're putting fresh toys/hideys etc. that makes it more difficult for them. I'm not great at maths, but I reckon 120x100 = 12.9 square ft. your 100x50 = 5.4 square ft., so the run is more than double the size, so should be fine. ( I had to ask Alexa to convert from sq cm. to sq ft lol). Here's the guide for sizes Cage Size Guide
 
Reenie said:
Don't worry about asking, that's what the forum is here for. I'm not an expert, I only go on what I've experienced and what others have said on the forum. Full bonding/hierarchy can take a few weeks, but every time you change their area, is 'new' to them. Mine are fine out on the lawn, but always have a bit of a spat at floor time. I think it really just depends on your boys, how strong that urge is. You could keep trying, but if you're putting fresh toys/hideys etc. that makes it more difficult for them. I'm not great at maths, but I reckon 120x100 = 12.9 square ft. your 100x50 = 5.4 square ft., so the run is more than double the size, so should be fine. ( I had to ask Alexa to convert from sq cm. to sq ft lol). Here's the guide for sizes Cage Size Guide
Click to expand...

Thank you so much, much appreciated 🙂🙂
 
MrsBee said:
Thank you, great advice! I just wondered though, without sounding completely stupid, how long until their new indoor run/ playpen becomes familiar to them?
They were obviously going to their outdoor run daily/regularly before we adopted them, and we have been putting them either in their outdoor run or their indoor pmaypen every day since we have had them which has been about a month now. Do we keep to this routine now that we have started it, hoping that its becoming more familiar to them every day?
Also, could I ask too (sorry!)it was mentioned through this thread that the two storey cage that they came with is only 100x50 so too small for them. Their indoor run/playpen is 120x100. Is this also too small for them?
Sorry for all the questions!
Click to expand...

my boys garden run is 104x124 and they tend to just pootle about when they’re in it, but when they go into their other playpen they turn into zoomy, popcorning crazies so they clearly enjoy having the extra space! That playpen is 210x90.
 
Piggies&buns said:
my boys garden run is 104x124 and they tend to just pootle about when they’re in it, but when they go into their other playpen they turn into zoomy, popcorning crazies so they clearly enjoy having the extra space! That playpen is 210x90.
Click to expand...

Ahh, sounds great 🙂
 
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