We got a guinea pig for my sister's birthday. It has been two months since then. We heard to get another guinea pig because if not the guinea pig will get depressed. So, we bought another one that looks almost the same except fur color. She is a baby and we introduced them for an hour and everything was going well,(the baby wasn't interacting much) so we put them in the cage, and that was when it went crazy. She started humping the baby, cornering her, and etc. We know this meant a sign of dominance. But, then the older one started attacking the baby. Luckily, no one got injured badly and we've kept them separated. We tried again, it didn't work. We tried again, it didn't work. My mom washed them to see if they would bond but it didn't work either. We've been switching them from top to bottom from the cage. So, they could talk while the other can't hurt her. Can anyone please recommend anything because we want everything to be good for both of them. (The cage is fairly large, but the cage is not the problem in this situation.)
Help!
- Thread starter papparoni
- Start date
Seven7
Forum Donator 2026/27
Welcome.
Are they both boys? Sounds like they are as boys have harder time getting along from what I hear. I have Finn and Lara living in separate cages so they can see and hear each other.
Are they both boys? Sounds like they are as boys have harder time getting along from what I hear. I have Finn and Lara living in separate cages so they can see and hear each other.
Livia Rabideau
Adult Guinea Pig
Some piggies just don't get along unfortunately. I just went through this with mine. I had two girls and adopted two more to hopefully put together in one large cage. They lived side by side and seemed great! I tried to introduce them this weekend in a large neutral area. My dominant female did NOT want anything to do with them. She flipped out and attacked the one. I now have another cage. They are all happy though so that's what I care about. Maybe check your local rescues to see if you can bring your girls in to meet others to see who they like. It stinks I'm sorry!
Nope, they are not boys, they are girls, we checked, but we are trying to teach them to share.
Seven7
Forum Donator 2026/27
Is there a mutual territory they can get reintroduced that is not their current living space? I understand they have a big living place but the older one might be territorial with the current space.
We have tried introducing them inside a neutral area, but the other one gets mad and starts to attack
Seven7
Forum Donator 2026/27
Livia Rabideau
Adult Guinea Pig
Maybe just keep them side by side to calm down then try a different time. I think once they make up their mind they won't change it.
Livia Rabideau
Adult Guinea Pig
It is disappointing, but they can still interact through the bars. Maybe you can keep searching for the right fit.
Lady Kelly
Senior Guinea Pig
When you say one attacked the other what do you mean? What behaviour did they display? Was any blood drawn?
Have you read our bonding guides? Behaviour, Bonding & Bereavement Guides
I would have a good look through the bonding and behaviour ones in particular in order to understand what is happening. Sometimes dominance behaviours can be very extreme. It might also be worth waiting a few days to a week, if there was a lot of humping it could be that one was having a strong season which puts more tension on the bond.
Sadly, once a sow decides that she is not going to be living with another piggy you aren't going to change her mind so if you've followed the guides and they are fighting all the time then chances are it won't work
Have you read our bonding guides? Behaviour, Bonding & Bereavement Guides
I would have a good look through the bonding and behaviour ones in particular in order to understand what is happening. Sometimes dominance behaviours can be very extreme. It might also be worth waiting a few days to a week, if there was a lot of humping it could be that one was having a strong season which puts more tension on the bond.
Sadly, once a sow decides that she is not going to be living with another piggy you aren't going to change her mind so if you've followed the guides and they are fighting all the time then chances are it won't work
The bigger one attacked the baby. We heard to let them fight it out, but we don’t want blood to be drawn because she is just a baby.
D
DMS260820
Maybe wait until the baby is a bit bigger and can hold its own better
Lady Kelly
Senior Guinea Pig
But what do you mean by attacked? Was there teeth chattering? Did the bigger one yawn and lunge? Were they spinning in a ball of fur?
It might sound like you are being clear but we have many people join who mistake signs of bonding for aggression. The most common one is mistaking loud baby squealing for pain/distress when most often it is a sign of submission and just the baby agreeing to be bottom of the hierarchy
She lunged at her, baby backing up, LOUD teeth chattering,(the baby is half her size) cornering her, bites her in butt and face, no blood but she’s a baby. I appreciate your guys help, thank you, we are very overwhelmed by this.
Lady Kelly
Senior Guinea Pig
Thank you and yes that sounds like a lot of aggression. Is the older one much older? Unfortunately when a sow decides that another piggy is not going to be part of the group you are not going to change her mind so I don't think a bond will work. Some sows are very determined and they can get more stubborn with age. I've had one such sow before and she was a pain in the bum everytime I tried to introduce somepig new
My mom put them in the same cage together, and even though the older guinea pig still tries to bite her. but, Luckily, the baby can run much faster than her. Also, even though the baby gets attacked by her, she still tries to become friends. She lets her sniff her butt if she corners her. Like, if we let the baby out of the cage, she will run back towards the cage and squeak. But the problem, is that the older one won't let her eat of drink which the baby just stays in the corner. If you have any suggestions, please just reply to this. thank you.
Willow&Sky
Junior Guinea Pig
If she won't let her eat and drink you'll have to separate them. Sorry its not what you want to hear but the little one could soon end up deteriorating if she can't get to hay food and drink. You have to do what's best for the pigs really.
