Making Friends

[GuineaPig24]

So, today I'm getting a new addition to the family! I already have one Guinea pig, who is a 4-5 year old male named "Guinea"

The Guinea pig I'm getting today is a 2-3 year old girl named "Penelope"

We once tried to get Guinea a friend, who was a little older than him, however that Guinea pig died shortly after we got him because his previous owners neglected him.

The time that we had that Guinea pig, along with Guinea, He was very upset. Guinea hates other Guinea pigs. He despises them, and he even despised me for even looking at the other one.

I don't want Penelope to get bullied ruthlessly by Guinea, and I need to know if there's any way that I could get them to bond positively. Any tips?

Note- I do not plan on breeding them, so they will not be in same cages.

 

[Wiebke]

So, today I'm getting a new addition to the family! I already have one Guinea pig, who is a 4-5 year old male named "Guinea"

The Guinea pig I'm getting today is a 2-3 year old girl named "Penelope"

We once tried to get Guinea a friend, who was a little older than him, however that Guinea pig died shortly after we got him because his previous owners neglected him.

The time that we had that Guinea pig, along with Guinea, He was very upset. Guinea hates other Guinea pigs. He despises them, and he even despised me for even looking at the other one.

I don't want Penelope to get bullied ruthlessly by Guinea, and I need to know if there's any way that I could get them to bond positively. Any tips?

Note- I do not plan on breeding them, so they will not be in same cages.

Hi and welcome!

Please note that male and females cannot mix at any time unless one partner is de-sexed. Penelope is past the ideal pregnancy age, which means an increased risk of birthing complications, which can lead to death for both mum and any pups. Sows can come spontaneously into season, so just sitting by won't do the trick - it takes literally only seconds and is over before you can get at them. You have to also be aware that boars have little hooks at the tip of their penis to prevent sows from running off before the deed is done. Playtime is never that for guinea pigs - it is bonding time and quite stressful.

Some guinea pigs can lose the ability to see themselves as guinea pigs if they are separated at a very young age and kept as singles. Dominant piggies can also become rather possessive/jealous over their human, especially if you do not assert your authority.

You just have to see how it goes if they are neighbours with constant interaction through the bars. There may be quite some boar showing off with lots of rumblestrutting and squeaking from Guinea's side of the bars; that is perfectly normal. Sows often react differently, depending on where they are in their cycle. It can range from mostly ignoring a boar to being very interested if they are coming up to a season.
He cannot bully her through the bars, but if he doesn't like her, you should see some strong teeth chattering. Make sure that you always feed, handle, cuddle, clean and groom him first, as befits a group leader.

These guides here will help you spot socialising behaviours through the bars:
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Illustrated Bonding Behaviours And Dynamics
How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language

Guinea Pig Facts - A Short Overview

 

[GuineaPig24]

Hi and welcome!

Please note that male and females cannot mix at any time unless one partner is de-sexed. Penelope is past the ideal pregnancy age, which means an increased risk of birthing complications, which can lead to death for both mum and any pups. Sows can come spontaneously into season, so just sitting by won't do the trick - it takes literally only seconds and is over before you can get at them. You have to also be aware that boars have little hooks at the tip of their penis to prevent sows from running off before the deed is done. Playtime is never that for guinea pigs - it is bonding time and quite stressful.

Some guinea pigs can lose the ability to see themselves as guinea pigs if they are separated at a very young age and kept as singles. Dominant piggies can also become rather possessive/jealous over their human, especially if you do not assert your authority.

You just have to see how it goes if they are neighbours with constant interaction through the bars. There may be quite some boar showing off with lots of rumblestrutting and squeaking from Guinea's side of the bars; that is perfectly normal. Sows often react differently, depending on where they are in their cycle. It can range from mostly ignoring a boar to being very interested if they are coming up to a season.
He cannot bully her through the bars, but if he doesn't like her, you should see some strong teeth chattering. Make sure that you always feed, handle, cuddle, clean and groom him first, as befits a group leader.

These guides here will help you spot socialising behaviours through the bars:
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Illustrated Bonding Behaviours And Dynamics
How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language

Guinea Pig Facts - A Short Overview

Thank you for the help! I didn't check the website before letting them play, but Guinea did not seem to hate Penelope. She showed him that she wasn't dominant and sniffed his chin, while he purred and lifted his head. He looks very pleased and doesn't seem to be angry with me in any way. He's also helped Penelope calm down too. She started eating after I had Guinea show her to eat carrots.

Also, her previous owner had her cage lined with WOOD SHAVINGS, and both my mom and I were very disappointed with that. However she seems very healthy (she's not as fat as Guinea is so she's light and flexible)

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the help! I didn't check the website before letting them play, but Guinea did not seem to hate Penelope. She showed him that she wasn't dominant and sniffed his chin, while he purred and lifted his head. He looks very pleased and doesn't seem to be angry with me in any way. He's also helped Penelope calm down too. She started eating after I had Guinea show her to eat carrots.

Also, her previous owner had her cage lined with WOOD SHAVINGS, and both my mom and I were very disappointed with that. However she seems very healthy (she's not as fat as Guinea is so she's light and flexible)

You must be happy that they like each other! If you wish, you can create an open sleeping place on each side of the grids, so they can sleep next to each other if they wish to for company. Hay corners next to each other is also a good socialising way, as is eating next to each other by the dividing grid. Guinea will tell you when Penelope is coming into season for the first few times.