Guinea pigs won’t stop hurting eachother

[Lovethempiggies]

Hello, omg I am so sorry I haven’t been active for months school had been so hard lately and getting As ISNT very easy. Well I have a problem and everyone here is so helpful tht I wanted to ask here instead of calling someone first. You see, potato has mushy poops. When I separated him from nibbles, he started eating right away with no problem and his poops got harder in 10 minutes. But when I put them back together, nibbles chases after him and doesn’t let him eat. I would just get a new cage and no problem, but when potato is not in his reach, he starts to run around looking for him and starts to get all worried. I’m scared to let potato out becuase what if nibbles gets all depressed? Idk it scared me. Potato got all puffed up when he couldn’t eat. I don’t know what to do. I can’t just split the cage in two becuase it too small so I have to buy another one and the cleaning everything will be even tougher. I just want them to be happy.plus they are still young. Nibbles has bitten potato and potato has bitten back.pls help!

 

[Lorcan]

That looks like a Midwest? You could have two Midwest side by side, so they can interact through the bars. Sorry that I'm not entirely sure, I've never seen that liner before.

Edit: sorry, I wasn't at a keyboard and i hate typing on my phone. If Nibbles isn't letting Potato eat properly and Potato's clearly unhappy about it, and they've drawn blood (forive me if I've picked that up wrong) then they're not likely to go back together. But Being in cages next to each other allows them to interact, so they still have "company", and means Nibbles stops bullying potato over food. Honestly I think a second cage is your best bet, and that they're together somewhere so that interaction between the bars is still noticeable.

 

[Lovethempiggies]

That looks like a Midwest? You could have two Midwest side by side, so they can interact through the bars. Sorry that I'm not entirely sure, I've never seen that liner before.

Edit: sorry, I wasn't at a keyboard and i hate typing on my phone. If Nibbles isn't letting Potato eat properly and Potato's clearly unhappy about it, and they've drawn blood (forive me if I've picked that up wrong) then they're not likely to go back together. But Being in cages next to each other allows them to interact, so they still have "company", and means Nibbles stops bullying potato over food. Honestly I think a second cage is your best bet, and that they're together somewhere so that interaction between the bars is still noticeable.

Yes it is a Midwest, and I would like to do what you said, ah and yes they have dream blood. It I do what’s requested nibbles FREAKS out even tho they are right next to eachother. They both do. I don’t know what to do so they won’t start crying for eachother through the bars. Potato has been puffed up, and has mushy poops and doesn’t seem to be eating much. When he tried to eat nibbles comes running after him. I separated him so he could eat, and it got worse. He ate and his poops seemed al little better but he was just sitting there doing nothing becuase there’s no space and he started crying for nibbles. I’m so confused

 

[Lorcan]

If it were me (and I'm definitely not advocating this one way or the other) and they couldn't bear to be apart even just through the bars, would you have any way of not just getting a new cage but seeing if you could find one or both of them a friend?
The other thing is, seeing if getting another Midwest and adding to the space they have, and seeing if that works. So basically build the Midwest so they both have access to both cages, and see if the extra space helps with the bullying. Makes it much easier to get two or three hideys and it means, if needs be, you can feed them both separately on each side to make sure Potato is getting his food okay.

 

[Lady Kelly]

It very much sounds like they need to be separated as it sounds like they both don't want to live together and Potato is being bullied to the extent he can't live a normal piggy life. After some time apart they should start to calm down a bit

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Sorry to hear your boys are going through such troubles! Have you got two of everything? Two food bowls, two water bowls and two hay areas etc? I would put them at different ends of the cage. This will make it easier for Potato to get some food without Nibbles near him.

It’s always a lot more difficult with boys, I’m no expert but if the dominant boy is actively looking for his buddy and so is Potato then there may be hope. I would suggest getting a bigger cage for them, are they young and in their hormonal stage? Generally a 5ft by 2ft is recommended with two of everything but if you can go bigger it might be best!

 

[Lovethempiggies]

It very much sounds like they need to be separated as it sounds like they both don't want to live together and Potato is being bullied to the extent he can't live a normal piggy life. After some time apart they should start to calm down a bit

Ahhh okay I was wondering if you know where they sell cheap big cages it’s judt that I’m not doing well with cash right now and I need to find the cheapest cage

 

[Lovethempiggies]

Sorry to hear your boys are going through such troubles! Have you got two of everything? Two food bowls, two water bowls and two hay areas etc? I would put them at different ends of the cage. This will make it easier for Potato to get some food without Nibbles near him.

It’s always a lot more difficult with boys, I’m no expert but if the dominant boy is actively looking for his buddy and so is Potato then there may be hope. I would suggest getting a bigger cage for them, are they young and in their hormonal stage? Generally a 5ft by 2ft is recommended with two of everything but if you can go bigger it might be best!

No I don’t hVe two of both, but I will try that! I will try to get a new cage by two weeks maximum, money is hard to earn! I will get two of both tho, and if nothing works, looks like they will hav to be separated

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

No I don’t hVe two of both, but I will try that! I will try to get a new cage by two weeks maximum, money is hard to earn! I will get two of both tho, and if nothing works, looks like they will hav to be separated

How big is your current cage? And I know the feeling, new cages are a big expense! I’ve found that C&C cages can be found quite cheaply especially for the size. I made my first one for about £60 I think.

 

[Lorcan]

How big is your current cage? And I know the feeling, new cages are a big expense! I’ve found that C&C cages can be found quite cheaply especially for the size. I made my first one for about £60 I think.

It's 4ft x 2ft. It's fine for sows, but it's iffy with a boar pair, I was just saying that elsewhere earlier. They're great cages but I'd recommend two for boars, the space makes a huge difference.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

It's 4ft x 2ft. It's fine for sows, but it's iffy with a boar pair, I was just saying that elsewhere earlier. They're great cages but I'd recommend two for boars, the space makes a huge difference.

I thought it was but couldn’t remember, 3ft 11 apparently so yea basically 4. Yea I wish they did a boar one! They definitely need more space for the extra testosterone haha. Two connected together would be perfect for them, plus the added bonus of being separated if needs be! Hopefully it’s not needed!

 

[Lovethempiggies]

It's 4ft x 2ft. It's fine for sows, but it's iffy with a boar pair, I was just saying that elsewhere earlier. They're great cages but I'd recommend two for boars, the space makes a huge difference.

Yea especially since I don’t have space for a bigger cage, but I can. Move things around to make it fit. My problem is that right now potato puffs up while he is pooping and it is mushy. He starts crying when potato is separated but when he isn’t, he starts chasing him around trying to mount him and potato starts screaming. Potato seems to eat well with him but then out of no where he cry’s.

 

[Lovethempiggies]

I thought it was but couldn’t remember, 3ft 11 apparently so yea basically 4. Yea I wish they did a boar one! They definitely need more space for the extra testosterone haha. Two connected together would be perfect for them, plus the added bonus of being separated if needs be! Hopefully it’s not needed!

It’s horrible because they want to be together but ten they start hurting and mounting eachother and it seems like potato might be a little dehydrated since he is puffing up. His feet are cold so maybe he’s puffed up of the cold? I’m not sure. I need help with that too. I will get two of everything today and if that doesn’t work I’ll get a extra cage that’s bigger on chewys if needed by 2 or 3 weeks

 

[Lorcan]

You know, if he's crying when trying to toilet, taking him to the vet to make sure nothing else is wrong might be a good idea?

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Yea especially since I don’t have space for a bigger cage, but I can. Move things around to make it fit. My problem is that right now potato puffs up while he is pooping and it is mushy. He starts crying when potato is separated but when he isn’t, he starts chasing him around trying to mount him and potato starts screaming. Potato seems to eat well with him but then out of no where he cry’s.

The screaming is submissive squeals, it sounds worse than it is. Usually with signs of bullying the pig being bullied doesn’t cry when separated, in fact they perk up and don’t miss the bully. It doesn’t sound like that to me but it’s hard to tell when you don’t see it.

What do you mean when you say hurting each other?

It may be worth taking him for a vet check as well to make sure he’s alright

 

[Lovethempiggies]

The screaming is submissive squeals, it sounds worse than it is. Usually with signs of bullying the pig being bullied doesn’t cry when separated, in fact they perk up and don’t miss the bully. It doesn’t sound like that to me but it’s hard to tell when you don’t see it.

What do you mean when you say hurting each other?

It may be worth taking him for a vet check as well to make sure he’s alright

They kind of like start to kind of squeal like a little you know like wheel wheel and start looking for eachother. But when i put them together, potato starts to kind of squeal in scaredness I would take him to the vet, but I’m broke. The vet told me that if he is still eating and drinking, a vet check isnt crucial but recommend. Sadly I’m broke

 

[Siikibam]

I’m afraid if he’s squealing while toileting you really do need to get him seen. Is there anyone at all, relative or friend, who could help you with the vet cost?

Also, once you have two of everything and a bigger cage, that should hopefully help calm the situation down. Are you able to block off an area so they have a bigger area to run around in, or there’s no way to ‘extend’ their cage? Or perhaps get them out for floor time regularly and for lengthy periods of time.

Also, if he’s having wet poos, cut out the veg till it’s solid again.

 

[Seven7]

For boys, don't they need more space?

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

They kind of like start to kind of squeal like a little you know like wheel wheel and start looking for eachother. But when i put them together, potato starts to kind of squeal in scaredness I would take him to the vet, but I’m broke. The vet told me that if he is still eating and drinking, a vet check isnt crucial but recommend. Sadly I’m broke

Don’t worry, they’re not squealing because they’re scared it’s a submissive noise. It sounds like more space and 2 or more of everything is just what they need. For the time being it might be worth giving them longer run times

 

[Lovethempiggies]

I’m afraid if he’s squealing while toileting you really do need to get him seen. Is there anyone at all, relative or friend, who could help you with the vet cost?

Also, once you have two of everything and a bigger cage, that should hopefully help calm the situation down. Are you able to block off an area so they have a bigger area to run around in, or there’s no way to ‘extend’ their cage? Or perhaps get them out for floor time regularly and for lengthy periods of time.

Also, if he’s having wet poos, cut out the veg till it’s solid again.

No no, sorry if I made it seem like he’s squealing while toileting I meant that he squeals when nibbles gets near him while he poops or pees. Like when I take them out to run around and about the only really poop. But when he does pee outside the cage, he’s perfectky fine. Their actually drinking LOTS of water. They’re really picky with the hay. But I have cut out veggies for now to get their poops back to normal. Still alittle soft but getting better! Still working on getting a bigger cage. Two of everything is still in progress! I have a new bottle and hut. Getting the hay rack today!

 

[Lovethempiggies]

Don’t worry, they’re not squealing because they’re scared it’s a submissive noise. It sounds like more space and 2 or more of everything is just what they need. For the time being it might be worth giving them longer run times

Ahhh okay I’ll let them run around for 1 hour each day now. It’s usually only 30. Should it be longer than 1 hour? I don’t want them to feel trapped.

 

[piggieminder]

Behaviour, Bonding & Bereavement Guides

Have a read through the behaviour guides in the above link, particularly the ones on boars. It sounds to me like the behaviour is normal and is dominance behaviour. I have a young pair of boars doing this at the moment, they are sorting out who is going to be the dominant one, even when they have decided this they will still make the squeals and rumble strut fairly regularly to reinforce their relationship. Two of everything will help to stop things escalating and getting out of hand.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Ahhh okay I’ll let them run around for 1 hour each day now. It’s usually only 30. Should it be longer than 1 hour? I don’t want them to feel trapped.

It depends on the pigs, how are they when they’re out of the cage? It might help to have the extra space for longer until you can get a big cage

 

[Lovethempiggies]

It depends on the pigs, how are they when they’re out of the cage? It might help to have the extra space for longer until you can get a big cage

Nibbles is 750 something pounds at 2 years old....I’m getting worried. He has very soft almost kind of watery poops. I don’t have money for the vet right now. Probabsly in another 2 Weeks..... I have been feeding critical care and seems to not be helping. What do I do?!? It seems like he is only eating specific parts of the hay but when I try to feed a different type of hay, he refused

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Nibbles is 750 something pounds at 2 years old....I’m getting worried. He has very soft almost kind of watery poops. I don’t have money for the vet right now. Probabsly in another 2 Weeks..... I have been feeding critical care and seems to not be helping. What do I do?!? It seems like he is only eating specific parts of the hay but when I try to feed a different type of hay, he refused

Do you mean grams? If so that is very light for a male of his age, my Iggy is also 2 and has a lot of health issues so is very small at just over 1kg. If he’s lost a lot of weight he really does need to see a vet. How long has he been losing weight for? Depending on how much he’s eating you may not be him as much critical care as he needs. It’s a lot every day if they’re not eating on their own. Adding wheat grass powder can help them eat it without syringing, my lot eat it off a spoon that way!

Have you tried timothy hay? Also, what veggies does he have and how much/often? It may be worth temporarily cutting out his veggies while his stools firm up a bit. Watery poos/diarrhoea is a dangerous thing for pigs so if at all in doubt have him checked out. Are there any rescues around that could help if funds are an issue?

 

[Lovethempiggies]

Do you mean grams? If so that is very light for a male of his age, my Iggy is also 2 and has a lot of health issues so is very small at just over 1kg. If he’s lost a lot of weight he really does need to see a vet. How long has he been losing weight for? Depending on how much he’s eating you may not be him as much critical care as he needs. It’s a lot every day if they’re not eating on their own. Adding wheat grass powder can help them eat it without syringing, my lot eat it off a spoon that way!

Have you tried timothy hay? Also, what veggies does he have and how much/often? It may be worth temporarily cutting out his veggies while his stools firm up a bit. Watery poos/diarrhoea is a dangerous thing for pigs so if at all in doubt have him checked out. Are there any rescues around that could help if funds are an issue?

Hi I’m so sorry I haven’t been logged in lately a lot has happened. His stool are the best they can be now. A dark brown and a big sausage shape another problem has popped up. We have a dog now..... my mom found a puppy in the streets and has gave it vaccinations and everything to keep my little piggies safe. He is a Labrador retriever and very nice to them but he sometimes barks at them. I did call my vet and he said that as long as he is eating fine and drinking fine it is normal since he has seen nibbles various times and he seems to be more of a slim but healthy guinea pig. He isn’t getting much veggies just to make sure he is completely cured. Potato and nibbles are eating quite a lot.seem to never stop! But they do get tense sometimes when the dog is around but there’s no room to put them somewhere else where they won’t be isolated from the house. So I will see if that when’s the dog is alone I will find some way to make sure my piggies are safe and out of trouble since nibbled is a little older not much tho he’s 2 years