Lots of dominance "dances"

[Roky]

Hi
So I found that one of my 2 guinea pigs very often does those dominance dance towards other pig. They also smell each other's bottom. Sometimes it looked like they were about to fight. Is this some kind of fighting for position of leader and can they hurt each other?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi
So I found that one of my 2 guinea pigs very often does those dominance dance towards other pig. They also smell each other's bottom. Sometimes it looked like they were about to fight. Is this some kind of fighting for position of leader and can they hurt each other?

Hi! These are mild dominance behaviours.

Please have a read through this guide here. It has pictures and explanations for many social behaviours and interaction dynamics. You will find it very helpful: Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

You can find lots more information on the areas that new owners have the most questions about via this link here. It also contains specific guides for boars and sows as you do not mention the gender. https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...lem-solver-and-information-collection.129375/

 

[fanniephina]

Hi, Are your Guinea Pigs sows? Have they been together long or just getting to know each other and has it been often? I am most familiar with sows; these dances are definitely normal and even moreso during the time of heat they experience every 17 days.

You didn't mention humping or a low purring so probably not an issue but it doesn't hurt to just double check the sex of the one instigating. Most likely it is a normal thing but it never hurts to be certain. Also can be good to be certain the other one has a place to go to for privacy if it gets to be too much and the cage is set up with enough escape room.

Another thing guinea pigs will do is try to outdo each other in nose height. It's also a common dominance display but absolutely not any concern. It can be unsettling for the human to watch these little dances but really normal. Biting is even normal if not overly aggressive to another guinea pig however this should be watched. Hissing or anything more aggressive is more to be worried about.