Guinea pigs fighting very aggressively

[Chip Lillis]

Hey! So recently, two of my pigs have been at it. Conki and Sabi. Sabi is known for being a little bit of a sissy but this seems pretty bad. Conki will randomly attack her, and when Sabi is nervous she runs into the corner of the cage and faces me. It’s so sad. I want to help her but should I just let them sort it out? She screams SO loud I could barely sleep last night. I heard it from across the apartment. Once she’s cornered, she’ll squeak any time Conki touches her, and Conki just stands there and watches her. I picked her up to calm her down and put her back in afterwards. She went to take a poo, and Conki just started ramming into her. She wasn’t rumble strutting or jumping on her back, she just attacked. I’ve seen my pigs in season/heat and they act way different. What could this be? Do I intervene or let them do their thing?

 

[Wiebke]

Hey! So recently, two of my pigs have been at it. Conki and Sabi. Sabi is known for being a little bit of a sissy but this seems pretty bad. Conki will randomly attack her, and when Sabi is nervous she runs into the corner of the cage and faces me. It’s so sad. I want to help her but should I just let them sort it out? She screams SO loud I could barely sleep last night. I heard it from across the apartment. Once she’s cornered, she’ll squeak any time Conki touches her, and Conki just stands there and watches her. I picked her up to calm her down and put her back in afterwards. She went to take a poo, and Conki just started ramming into her. She wasn’t rumble strutting or jumping on her back, she just attacked. I’ve seen my pigs in season/heat and they act way different. What could this be? Do I intervene or let them do their thing?

Hi!

Please make sure that your sow cannot be cornered. Only have hideys with more than one exit on different sides (like a log tunnel) and make sure that there are two exits from each cage corner.

Please be aware that the screaming is not from pain but it is submission or it is most likely protest from being mounted by a companion experiencing a very strong season, as sows can do occasionally. The behaviour should have calmed down again within a day. How big is the cage?

Please take the time to read these guides here:
Sow behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

You can find more helpful information on a wide range of topics via our new owners guide collection link. We are specifically addressing all the areas that we get the most questions and concerns as practical and precise as we can make it.
You can get there by clicking on this link here: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[Chip Lillis]

Hi!

Please make sure that your sow cannot be cornered. Only have hideys with more than one exit on different sides (like a log tunnel) and make sure that there are two exits from each cage corner.

Please be aware that the screaming is not from pain but it is submission or it is most likely protest from being mounted by a companion experiencing a very strong season, as sows can do occasionally. The behaviour should have calmed down again within a day. How big is the cage?

Please take the time to read these guides here:
Sow behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

You can find more helpful information on a wide range of topics via our new owners guide collection link. We are specifically addressing all the areas that we get the most questions and concerns as practical and precise as we can make it.
You can get there by clicking on this link here: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Thank you so so much for all the advice! It’s great to know the squeaks weren’t from pain. My cage size is 8 square feet. I use the Midwest cage. We should definitely upgrade, and I am planning to soon. But I have one more question. Why is Conki only after Sabi and not our third pig, Sami? Thanks for the help again.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Space is likely causing an issue if you have three guinea pigs in a Midwest. 8 square foot is the minimum RSPCA/humane society size for 2 guinea pigs so you need to look at expanding the space as soon as possible for them

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so so much for all the advice! It’s great to know the squeaks weren’t from pain. My cage size is 8 square feet. I use the Midwest cage. We should definitely upgrade, and I am planning to soon. But I have one more question. Why is Conki only after Sabi and not our third pig, Sami? Thanks for the help again.

A sow coming into season will usually only mount the sow just ranked below her (or the sow above if she is at the bottom).

An 8 sq ft cage is not enough for a trio. Cage Size Guide

 

[Chip Lillis]

A sow coming into season will usually only mount the sow just ranked below her (or the sow above if she is at the bottom).

An 8 sq ft cage is not enough for a trio. Cage Size Guide

That explains a lot! Thanks.
And yes, I’m aware that’s not enough space. Sadly, the hamster’s cage is in the way and we can’t upgrade the cage. But we’re moving soon and will 100% upgrade once in our new place!