I don’t think my guinea pigs like each other.

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sainsworth

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I have been working on introducing my guinea pigs together. It is a foster to adopt situation to see if they like each other. With that being said on the second night I had them I had them out together. They seemed to be fine with each other. I put them away for the night. The next night I put them out together again and there was more dominance motions. The new one which is 6 months old started rumblestrutting and purring. My other one who is 2 years old would bare his teeth and the new one backed off. Eventually they were laying together and were pretty good with each other. I decided to put them into a cage together and it was immediate teeth chattering and they ran around the cage with each other. That is when my 2 year old turned around and bite the other guinea pig and drew blood. I immediately separated them and cleaned them up. Now every time they hear each other they go into teeth chattering mood. The first time it happened I was holding my 2 year old and he bit me pretty badly on my hand.

I have them in separate cages now to cool off. However, I don’t know if they still could get along with each other. I guess what I am asking is if there is still a chance these two could get along?
 
I think it is really hard once blood has been drawn. My two boys (they are brothers) got in a fight and each had a few little nicks, I separated them and a couple months later one managed to get in the other’s cage and he tore his brother’s ear in half! They are neutered and each live with females, so I was lucky to have options. They share a big outdoor run at times (always supervised) and if they get cornered together the teeth chattering will start. I know having the females around makes them more territorial so I’m not sure if maybe yours have a chance.
 
Hello, I had a similar experience when I first got my two male piggies. Is your older piggie more laid back and the younger more active? Usually during the introduction the younger one will submit to the older unless it’s more confident in which case they might fight for dominance. Your piggies still have a chance to be pairs however it will take time. Keep them separated for now and when you put them together, place them somewhere where there’s lots of room. Also, I would recommend putting them somewhere they both haven’t been before. What I did with my piggies was slowly put them together for about an hour a day and whenever they fought, I calmed down both of them. Another important thing, are their cages store bought or home made? The cages sold at pet stores are far too small for them so I would recommend a diy home. I hope this helps and let me know if you have more questions:)
 
There cage is a store bought cage. I am looking at buying a rabbit cage that is 5 feet by 3 feet to put them in. I just don’t want to buy it if I don’t think they can get along after this.

The older guinea pig is laid back, and the younger one does have a lot of energy as he is only 6 months.
 
sainsworth said:
There cage is a store bought cage. I am looking at buying a rabbit cage that is 5 feet by 3 feet to put them in. I just don’t want to buy it if I don’t think they can get along after this.

The older guinea pig is laid back, and the younger one does have a lot of energy as he is only 6 months.
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Well what I have done is bout two small fences and connected them for their home. I agree you should probably wait until you buy a new home, however, try to put them together for a little bit everyday and watch I’ve rthem as things can get better. It took my piggies about 2 weeks but now they are besties! I would also recommend giving them veggies and things they love to eat when they get out together so they can get distracted and not mind each other’s presence.
 
Please do not keep putting them together and separating. Once you start bonding male piggies you have to see it through to either friends or a fall out, and to keep stopping and starting the process is very stressful for them (and you), and is actually counterproductive. Once blood has been drawn, it is unlikely they will go back together. Have a look at the bonding threads in the forum tab at the top of the page. (sorry I can't do links on this device). These are written by experts. Piggies shouldn't be put together for floor time or in a run if they don't usually live together, as they start the bonding process each time - again, stressful. Some members are able to do this, however these cases are very much the exception, and this will not work in most cases. I hope you manage to get a pal for your piggy. Good luck x
 
When you put them together in the cage, had you cleaned it thoroughly so it didn’t smell like either of them? Or did you put them in a run together then separate at ‘bedtime’? If the latter, as said above you can’t keep putting together and separating.

But blood has been drawn so I’m not sure it would be wise to try and bond them again.
 
I am assuming that these are 2 boars.
With boars you cannot keep introducing and separating. Once you start an introduction you have to see it through to the end - acceptance or failure.
Given that blood has been drawn as would very much doubt that it would ever work.
If this is a foster situation I’d be tempted to hand the younger piggy back. If the younger piggy is 6 months old this is most unlikely to ever work. He’s at his most hormonal stage. You need to try your 2 year old either with a baby boar (by which I mean about 6 weeks and hope that by the time the hormones kick in they really love each other and can see it out) or take him boar dating to meet similar aged piggies who are past their hormonal teens.
I really wouldn’t advise another attempt at introducing these 2 boars.
But please make sure before you attempt any introductions in future that you read all our guides first and prepare fully. It helps reduce the risk of failure.
 
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