My guinea pigs haven't bonded well what should I do?

[Christina54]

Hiya
So a couple months ago I got another guinea pig as one of mine had sadly passed away and I didnt want my other pig to be lonely. For the first couple days they got on really well (My new piggy is 5 months and my other is 2.5years old) however after that there was lots of fighting not enough to split them up as no blood but hair had been pulled out and my youngster has some scabs from where he has been bitten. My oldest has always been extremely dominant even with my old guinea pig and they never got on great.

I wasn’t sure whether to keep waiting to see if it improved or get another Guinearescu pig and have my younger in a pair in one hitch and in another hitch next to them my other guinea pig.

Not sure though and wanted to know anyone’s thoughts much appreciated

 

[Lady Kelly]

If you have a piggy that is being bitten then blood has been drawn and I would separate them as it sounds like they are not going to get on unfortunately. Can you have them in cages next to each other so they can still communicate? I would do this to give them time to heal and recover a bit before trying any other bonds but yes if you have a bit of a fussy pig then I would definitely look to go through a reputable rescue that offers boar dating to ensure you have compatible pairings going forward. We have a list of reputable rescues in our top bar above

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your upset.

Can you please confirm that we are talking about boars with your younger one right in the middle of the teenage months when testosterone is at an all time high?

Unfortunately once there have been full-on bites, piggies won't go back with each other. You can keep your two boy next to each other for mutual interaction and stimulation, which they still need.
More information and further options you can find in this guide here: Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[Christina54]

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your upset.

Can you please confirm that we are talking about boars with your younger one right in the middle of the teenage months when testosterone is at an all time high?

Unfortunately once there have been full-on bites, piggies won't go back with each other. You can keep your two boy next to each other for mutual interaction and stimulation, which they still need.
More information and further options you can find in this guide here: Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

Yes they are both boars and my youngster is going through his teenage years so I was hoping it might blow over but because it didn’t when my other pig was alive I don’t think they will as they are both very big characters but thank you for your reply

 

[Christina54]

If you have a piggy that is being bitten then blood has been drawn and I would separate them as it sounds like they are not going to get on unfortunately. Can you have them in cages next to each other so they can still communicate? I would do this to give them time to heal and recover a bit before trying any other bonds but yes if you have a bit of a fussy pig then I would definitely look to go through a reputable rescue that offers boar dating to ensure you have compatible pairings going forward. We have a list of reputable rescues in our top bar above

My other cage is broken so I only have the one but am planning on buying a bigger in the next week so can separate them then and have them next to each other.
Would u recommend me having one pair and my other one steerage but next to them ?
Also thanks for the reply

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! You will find your various options discussed in detail in the link I have given you.

Depending on your access to good rescues and vets (links for several countries are in the guide), you can consider living alongside, bonding either boy with a character compatible rescue boar of his choice (under expert supervision at the rescue so you come home only with new mate after acceptance has happened; plus you'll have the rescue to fall back on if things go wrong down the line) or having both boys neutered so they can live with a sow each after a 6 weeks safety wait; cross gender bondings are the most stable of piggy bonds, but you need a good vet and live in a country where a neutering operation doesn't cost a fortune.

Take your time to research your various options and don't rush into anything! Concentrate firstly on getting a spare cage before you get any more piggies.

 

[Tiamolly123]

Hi & Welcome to our Friendly Forum.
I think I would be inclined to get them both neutered & then put them in with a lady love, after a break off 6 weeks so the sows wouldn't get pregnant.