Increasing Aggressive behavior

[joanikens]

I have two female guinea pigs which I got within a day of each other. Penelope is very skittish and doesn’t like being held but Buttercup is fine being held and is extremely relaxed and friendly. Since Penelope doesn’t like to be held I’m trying to gain her trust and only pick her up at cleaning time. She’s very hard to catch too.

When I first got them, Penelope asserted her dominance and all seemed fine as Buttercup accepted. No fight ensued.

However, I notice now that every time I put Buttercup back, Penelope seems to reassert her dominance and seems more aggressive each time. Butt rubbing, rumbling, teeth chattering, she’ll try and stand on top of buttercup’s head (no humping), chasing and nipping at her butt. I’ll stay a bit after I put buttercup back and Penelope will behave but as soon as I turn around I will hear and see some of this behavior. Buttercup seems like she doesn’t like it.

While I know this is somewhat normal behavior I don’t want anything bad to happen. If I don’t pick up buttercup they seem to get along fine. They sometimes even cuddle in the same hideaway together. Any advice?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I see from your profile that your piggies have only been together for a few days. Therefore, they are in a period of establishing a relationship and hierarchy. This will take approximately two weeks and during this time you should not really be separating them for cuddle time. They need to remain together all the time so they can figure things out. Even in long established bonded piggies, separating them can cause them to be extra dominant for a while.

Also, you need to ensure you respect their hierarchy. It is Penelope’s right as dominant piggy to always have everything done for her first. You need to always handle, hand feed etc Penelope first. If you don’t, Penelope will see it as a swipe at her dominance and will feel the need to assert herself when you put them back together.

 

[joanikens]

Okay I see what you're saying. It's been about 12 days, so almost two weeks. I haven't really been serving one of them first. I have been just putting stuff in the designated food area. I have been hand feeding Penelope to help gain trust but I will start serving her first and see if there are any positive changes.

I haven't separated them for a long period at all, I'm talking two-five minutes at most.

 

[VickiA]

I see from your profile that your piggies have only been together for a few days. Therefore, they are in a period of establishing a relationship and hierarchy. This will take approximately two weeks and during this time you should not really be separating them for cuddle time. They need to remain together all the time so they can figure things out. Even in long established bonded piggies, separating them can cause them to be extra dominant for a while.

Also, you need to ensure you respect their hierarchy. It is Penelope’s right as dominant piggy to always have everything done for her first. You need to always handle, hand feed etc Penelope first. If you don’t, Penelope will see it as a swipe at her dominance and will feel the need to assert herself when you put them back together.

With all that @Piggies&buns has said.