Help Please, Boy Piggies Not Getting On

[Chrissie21]

Hi All,

I do need some advice! I bought my two guinea pigs in November, they are litter-mates, both boys. I did do lots of research first and read that they should be ok if they were well used to each other. They have got on totally fine and played together nicely until this week. At the weekend we had a 'teeth chattering' incident and I separated them to calm down, then they seemed fine when I put them back together. I have been extra vigilant! I have planned to have them neutered in the hopes this might reduce any aggression. This morning there was a commotion with both of them upset, teeth chattering, squealing in distress etc. I removed one and he took a good few minutes to calm. I've left them separated for the day while I am out at work as I'm worried they may really fight and get hurt. Can I convince them to be friends again or is it too late? It's such a shame if they have to be kept apart, I did want them to be friends. Both have lovely nature in general, very friendly and cuddly, very playful.

Thanks for any thoughts!

Chrissie

 

[Toffee321]

I had same problem and I bathed them together in a washing up bowl! And now are best friends. Bathing them gets rid of their individual scents.
Try it it might work.

 

[Swissgreys]

Welcome to the Forum, and sorry to hear you hare having problems with your boys.

There is lots of good information here:
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

In the short term how big is the cage they are in, and do they have 2 of everything (bowls, water bottles, beds, etc)?

Sadly guinea pigs do fall out, and neutering them won't change their behaviour - it will just remove their ability to make babies.
However if you were to have them neutered you would then be able to pair them with a female each (after waiting 6 weeks post op) which may offer a more stable long term bond.

Good luck with your boys.

 

[Chrissie21]

I had same problem and I bathed them together in a washing up bowl! And now are best friends. Bathing them gets rid of their individual scents.
Try it it might work.

Thank you that's a great thought. Did you use any shampoo? I've seen pet shampoo in the pet shop.

 

[Chrissie21]

Welcome to the Forum, and sorry to hear you hare having problems with your boys.

There is lots of good information here:
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

In the short term how big is the cage they are in, and do they have 2 of everything (bowls, water bottles, beds, etc)?

Sadly guinea pigs do fall out, and neutering them won't change their behaviour - it will just remove their ability to make babies.
However if you were to have them neutered you would then be able to pair them with a female each (after waiting 6 weeks post op) which may offer a more stable long term bond.

Good luck with your boys.

Thank you, that is helpful. If I were to end up getting them girls then to be friends with, is it easy to get them to get on ok? Because I bought my boys at the same time, they were already used to each other. They currently have one bowl of nuggets, one bowl of fresh veg, one bottle. I can easily double up if that is something that will help! The cage is approximately a meter by half a meter. We have a large playpen for them to run about in most evenings too.

 

[Toffee321]

I had same problem and I bathed them together in a washing up bowl! And now are best friends. Bathing them gets rid of their individual scents.
Try it it might work.

I used lush snow fairy as could not find any GP shampoo.

 

[sport_billy]

Welcome to the forum ,sorry to hear of your troubles

I would agree with trying a bonding bath and reintroduction on neutral territory again as an attempt. Have a read of this thread on introductions and bonding Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

Could you add your location to your profile as it helps us tailor any advice if needed to your location

Lee

 

[Wiebke]

Hi All,

I do need some advice! I bought my two guinea pigs in November, they are litter-mates, both boys. I did do lots of research first and read that they should be ok if they were well used to each other. They have got on totally fine and played together nicely until this week. At the weekend we had a 'teeth chattering' incident and I separated them to calm down, then they seemed fine when I put them back together. I have been extra vigilant! I have planned to have them neutered in the hopes this might reduce any aggression. This morning there was a commotion with both of them upset, teeth chattering, squealing in distress etc. I removed one and he took a good few minutes to calm. I've left them separated for the day while I am out at work as I'm worried they may really fight and get hurt. Can I convince them to be friends again or is it too late? It's such a shame if they have to be kept apart, I did want them to be friends. Both have lovely nature in general, very friendly and cuddly, very playful.

Thanks for any thoughts!

Chrissie

Hi! You may find this very detailed guide here helpful that talks you through all aspects involved, so you can use your informed judgement as to what to do at every step of the way. As long as they haven't had a fight with serious bites, there is still all to play for!
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[Chrissie21]

Hi! You may find this very detailed guide here helpful that talks you through all aspects involved, so you can use your informed judgement as to what to do at every step of the way. As long as they haven't had a fight with serious botes, there is still all to play for!
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

Thanks so much, I read and re-read all if that, so so useful and very reassuring

 

[Chrissie21]

Welcome to the forum ,sorry to hear of your troubles

I would agree with trying a bonding bath and reintroduction on neutral territory again as an attempt. Have a read of this thread on introductions and bonding Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

Could you add your location to your profile as it helps us tailor any advice if needed to your location

Lee

Hi, I am in south east Essex, will have to have a look at my profile lol

 

[Chrissie21]

Update for everyone, I couldn't log on last night so I'm quickly posting this at work!

I found so much info here that was very helpful and reassuring.

I bought extra food bowls and a bottle last night as well as some 'grooming wipes'. Put them both in the playpen to start with and watched them, they seemed really happy to see each other! They played nicely all evening while I cleaned out the cage (usual Wednesday routine) and set it up with extra food and drink stations and an extra bedroom so they can have some privacy if they want it.

I didn't want to try a bath last night, the weather is so cold and I'm worried about getting them dry enough afterwards. I will clean them with the wipes I bought tonight(didn't want to freak them out as they seemed ok last night).

This morning when they knew I was getting their breakfast ready there was a bit of teeth chattering and one little nip (clearly not a serious thing as no reaction from the other piggy) then they just got on with the usual excitement over a bowl of kale.

Thanks so much for all your help

 

[Wiebke]

Update for everyone, I couldn't log on last night so I'm quickly posting this at work!

I found so much info here that was very helpful and reassuring.

I bought extra food bowls and a bottle last night as well as some 'grooming wipes'. Put them both in the playpen to start with and watched them, they seemed really happy to see each other! They played nicely all evening while I cleaned out the cage (usual Wednesday routine) and set it up with extra food and drink stations and an extra bedroom so they can have some privacy if they want it.

I didn't want to try a bath last night, the weather is so cold and I'm worried about getting them dry enough afterwards. I will clean them with the wipes I bought tonight(didn't want to freak them out as they seemed ok last night).

This morning when they knew I was getting their breakfast ready there was a bit of teeth chattering and one little nip (clearly not a serious thing as no reaction from the other piggy) then they just got on with the usual excitement over a bowl of kale.

Thanks so much for all your help

Glad that the boys have settled down again. Please don't feel you have to overdo the bathing bit. It is really only necessary when tempers have been at breaking point after an excess of testosterone. If the two want to be back together, then they will go back together again.

Thanks for adding your location. It makes it easier to adapt any advice straight away whenever possible.

 

[Jalubejr]

How old are they? If they are under 2 1/2 years they are still in the process of learning new noises to make. When my 2 boars learned teeth chattering, they would not stop doing it! Same with all the other noises. If this isn't the case, try getting some sort of separation in between them in the cage. This will give them chance to interact with each other, but they can flee if they need to.

Hope this helps!