I am noticing a trend.

[HumanWithFurryPotats]

So when ever I sit in the room my guinea pigs are in, the dominant one starts to be mean to the submissive one, yet when I am not in the room, the two are like sisters. Any body know why this happens? The dominant one is new, if that helps.

 

[Wiebke]

So when ever I sit in the room my guinea pigs are in, the dominant one starts to be mean to the submissive one, yet when I am not in the room, the two are like sisters. Any body know why this happens? The dominant one is new, if that helps.

The post-bonding dominance phase lasts about 2 weeks on average in any new territory. Your new piggy is ensuring that its position is noted and respected. Please note that dominance behaviour may look mean in human terms, but it is crucial to the strictly hierarchical society that piggies live in; for them it is not mean but the way they are making their society work.

You can find out more about the different stages of the bonding process in this guide here as well as a range of typical interactive behaviours; you may find it very interesting to understand more what happens between your piggies: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

 

[HumanWithFurryPotats]

Thank you!