Guinea pigs teeth chattering and hair pulling alot

[Minnieandpebbs]

My two Guinea pigs have suddenly started chasing and teeth chattering at each other and pulling hair out. They were also circling and are about 12-13 weeks old. Can anyone help? I am very worried. Should they be separated for a while?

 

[lilyandluna]

Boys or girls?

 

[Minnieandpebbs]

Boys or girls?

Should be girls
Any help?

 

[lilyandluna]

That's unusual. What size cage do you have?

 

[Minnieandpebbs]

Well we have a 4ft double decker hutch
And usually come out in a huge 10x4 c&c cage on the grass.
They also have had lots to eat.

 

[lilyandluna]

If they don't have enough room that might be part of it. Try getting two of everything (two bins of hay, two hides, two food dishes, two water bottles) and see if that helps. If not I would try separating them for a couple days and then reintroducing them.

 

[Minnieandpebbs]

If they don't have enough room that might be part of it. Try getting two of everything (two bins of hay, two hides, two food dishes, two water bottles) and see if that helps. If not I would try separating them for a couple days and then reintroducing them.

Thank you very much for the help!

 

[Wiebke]

My two Guinea pigs have suddenly started chasing and teeth chattering at each other and pulling hair out. They were also circling and are about 12-13 weeks old. Can anyone help? I am very worried. Should they be separated for a while?

Hi! Please check the genders first and foremost.
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)
Sexing Guide

How big is your cage and do your piggies have each got their hideys (preferably with 2 exits)?

 

[Minnieandpebbs]

Hi! Please check the genders first and foremost.
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)
Sexing Guide

How big is your cage and do your piggies have each got their hideys (preferably with 2 exits)?

We do have two hideys but sadly with 1 exit.
We were told they were females but you never know, we will check! Our cage sise is a double decker 4ft hutch and they live outdoors. They often go into a 10x4 c&c cage on the grass

 

[Wiebke]

We do have two hideys but sadly with 1 exit.
We were told they were females but you never know, we will check!

Please do! Mis-sexing is anything but common, as are cages that are too small.

It is likely that one sow has come into a strong season and that this has messed with/reopened a not fully settled dominance issue; but it is not quite common behaviour in bonded sows of that age. They will bicker but they will generally not go as far as pulling hair (which is the sow equivalent of boar bites).
Sow Behaviour
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)
Bonds In Trouble

 

[Minnieandpebbs]

Please do! Mis-sexing is anything but common, as are cages that are too small.

It is likely that one sow has come into a strong season and that this has messed with/reopened a not fully settled dominance issue; but it is not quite common behaviour in bonded sows of that age. They will bicker but they will generally not go as far as pulling hair (which is the sow equivalent of boar bites).
Sow Behaviour
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)
Bonds In Trouble

The season could be it because the under piggy was chasing the dominant piggy with butt sniffing which is not like her behaviour but we did see it a bit a while ago. For example while they were out on grass under piggy was in a hidey teeth chattering and squeaking loudly while the dominant piggy was doing that outside. Whenever under piggy tried to leave the hidey, dominant piggy ran to that end. When she did get out they began circling slowly with more chattering then did hair pulling. At the moment they're separated in the upstairs and downstairs of hutch with the stairs closed. Normally only the under piggy can go downstairs, the dominant piggy doesn't know how to go down the stairs, she can only go up if we put her down. So that means under piggy can spend quite a bit of time away from the other one.

 

[Wiebke]

The season could be it because the under piggy was chasing the dominant piggy with butt sniffing which is not like her behaviour but we did see it a bit a while ago. For example while they were out on grass under piggy was in a hidey teeth chattering and squeaking loudly while the dominant piggy was doing that outside. Whenever under piggy tried to leave the hidey, dominant piggy ran to that end. When she did get out they began circling slowly with more chattering then did hair pulling. At the moment they're separated in the upstairs and downstairs of hutch with the stairs closed. Normally only the under piggy can go downstairs, the dominant piggy doesn't know how to go down the stairs, she can only go up if we put her down. So that means under piggy can spend quite a bit of time away from the other one.

Please wait 24 hours and then let them meet again on neutral ground to see whether they still want to be together. Sow fall outs are much rarer than boars, but they can happen.
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

 

[Minnieandpebbs]

Please wait 24 hours and then let them meet again on neutral ground to see whether they still want to be together. Sow fall outs are much rarer than boars, but they can happen.
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

We have left them separated overnight and then let them see each other again they were rumble strutting but are now living with each other again for the time being, hopefully it stays like this and there will be no need to separate them in the future. Thanks for the help.

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.

Hope your piggies get themselves sorted out.