Guinea pigs purring

[Emilyw]

Hi,
I’ve just got 2 male guinea pigs, teddy and smudge, they are 10 weeks old and have been together since birth. I’ve only had them since Monday and they are becoming a lot braver and exploring and running around the cage. However one of them (I’m not sure which) seems to be purring at the other and they keep jumping when they are around eachother, should I be worried that they might fight? I’m just worried that when I’m not home I’m not able to do anything if they do. The farm I got them from suggested that they should be split if they do fight but they’re both still very anxious and I’m not sure that it would be a good idea as they’ve been together since birth and I don’t want to freak them out any more!

 

[Swissgreys]

This sounds like perfectly normal behaviour to be honest.
Guinea pigs make a range of noises and purring (or rumbling as it is often known) is part of their usual repertoire.
Please do not split your boys up - they are young and need company.
They are just trying to establish who will be the boss in their new surroundings.

The key to happy boar bonds is lots and lots of space and 2 of everything (houses, food bowls, etc).
How big is your cage?

 

[pig in the city]

That sounds like normal boar behaviour. They can fall out as they get older, minimise the risk by giving them plenty of space (5 foot by 2 foot cage minimum) and 2 of everything, hidies, food and water bowls and bottles. Keep them away from girls and don't change things around too much. When you clean them out leave a bit of soiled bedding so it still smells familiar

Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[Emilyw]

This sounds like perfectly normal behaviour to be honest.
Guinea pigs make a range of noises and purring (or rumbling as it is often known) is part of their usual repertoire.
Please do not split your boys up - they are young and need company.
They are just trying to establish who will be the boss in their new surroundings.

The key to happy boar bonds is lots and lots of space and 2 of everything (houses, food bowls, etc).
How big is your cage?

Hi Thankyou, in not quite sure how big it is but it does have 2 floors, so they are able to separate from eachother if they want to? And I also have two cuddle pods (one on each floor.) the only problem is they haven’t seen a ramp before as they didn’t have one at their farm, so they aren’t sure how to go up the ramp

 

[Swissgreys]

Hi Thankyou, in not quite sure how big it is but it does have 2 floors, so they are able to separate from eachother if they want to? And I also have two cuddle pods (one on each floor.) the only problem is they haven’t seen a ramp before as they didn’t have one at their farm, so they aren’t sure how to go up the ramp

Can you measure the cage or take a photo of it?
The problem is that two story cages often don't offer more space, as many guinea pigs don't like or use ramps.
Plus a huge amount of floor space is 'lost' for the hole that the ramp goes through.
They really need 2 of everything on each floor, particularly while they are getting used to their new cage and using a ramp.

 

[Emilyw]

Can you measure the cage or take a photo of it?
The problem is that two story cages often don't offer more space, as many guinea pigs don't like or use ramps.
Plus a huge amount of floor space is 'lost' for the hole that the ramp goes through.
They really need 2 of everything on each floor, particularly while they are getting used to their new cage and using a ramp.

it’s 8 square foot per floor, and we are also making an outdoor run for when the weather is good, do you have any tips for encouraging them to use the ramp?

 

[pig in the city]

it’s 8 square foot per floor, and we are also making an outdoor run for when the weather is good, do you have any tips for encouraging them to use the ramp?

Stick some carpet to the ramp and raise it on a block to make it less steep. Ideally get someone to fix a banister to the side.
You can also buy fleece tunnels to put on ramps that make it easy for them to use

 

[Siikibam]

I’d say try and expand their space to at least 10sq feet. The 8sq is the minimum space recommended for piggies, but, boys being as they are need more space. If you don’t want to change the cage, you could always put a play pen round it so they have access 24/7 to that area. They’ll need space to get away from each other when they teach their teenage phase.

 

[Betsy]

it’s 8 square foot per floor, and we are also making an outdoor run for when the weather is good, do you have any tips for encouraging them to use the ramp?

Stick some carpet to the ramp and let them run over it and scent mark it. Piggies follow scent spores so that they know a place is safe. After around half an hour or so pop the ramp in position and they should be running up and down it in no time at least that's what my piggies did before I had to separate them. Does your ramp have sides to it? It should have sides at least 2-3 inches deep so that your piggies feel safe using it.