New adopted Guinea Pig. Attempting introduction and bonding.

Ominester

Ominester

New Born Pup
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May 21, 2023
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Location
Maryland, USA
Background
Hello. Just joined the forum as I have questions on the progress of bonding. Both pigs I got from the shelter about a month apart and are currently in a neutral bonding pen right now. The one I've had the longest (Zavala), has a custom build 2 by 4 C&C grid-size cage. She has a very bright and funny personality. The second one (Chai) was at the shelter with another guinea pig, together upon surrender, but the shelter was willing to let me take just her as the other pig she came in with was a huge bully to her. Currently, they seem to be doing okay. It's hour two of being in the bonding pen and I haven't seen any rumble strutting for at least 30 minutes. Zavala appears to be the more dominant one as she was mounting Chai during the first 30 minutes. Within the past 30, they have laid next to each other, but occasionally when Zavala gets close, Chai will head butt her and Zavala will chatter for a couple of seconds. Chai has never approached Zavala, she just kind of minds her own business. But when Zavala comes in for a sniff or goes near her butt Chai whips around and gives her a warning. Sometimes when this happens Chai will stick her butt into Zavala and urinate. What is this behavior? At this point, Zavala isn't starting any aggressive gestures. My biggest worry is when I have to eventually put them back into the enclosure I had built for Zavala. I have taken out all the fleece, wiped the walls and floor with a vinegar & water solution, and the fleece is getting washed.

Concerns
My question is, when do I know they are okay to go into the built enclosure? How can I ensure Zavala won't get defensive about the space she had been in previously? Will a buddy bath be beneficial before putting them in the final enclosure together? Will I still be able to use some of the unwashable hides and toys together in the final enclosure? Chai has a vet appointment in one week, should they go together to avoid de-bonding?
 
Spraying pee at another piggy is a dominance thing but can be a strongly worded way of telling the other to do away.

They are ok to go into the enclosure once they have been together for several hours in the bonding pen and have go lt through the early stages of bonding.
The full process of fully forming their hierarchy will continue for around two weeks of permanently being together.

You need to make sure the cage is fully cleaned down and rearranged so Zavala doesn’t see it as her space any more.
Wooden hides can still be washed with soapy water and then left to dry.

Buddy baths are not beneficial. They are considered outdated advice and can be very stressful for piggies.

Yes take them both. Once bonded they go everywhere together including vet appointments

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
 
Piggies&buns said:
Spraying pee at another piggy is a dominance thing but can be a strongly worded way of telling the other to do away.

They are ok to go into the enclosure once they have been together for several hours in the bonding pen and have go lt through the early stages of bonding.
The full process of fully forming their hierarchy will continue for around two weeks of permanently being together.

You need to make sure the cage is fully cleaned down and rearranged so Zavala doesn’t see it as her space any more.
Wooden hides can still be washed with soapy water and then left to dry.

Buddy baths are not beneficial. They are considered outdated advice and can be very stressful for piggies.

Yes take them both. Once bonded they go everywhere together including vet appointments

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Click to expand...
Thank you for answering all my questions! I spent hours with them on the floor to see if anything escalated. The seemed to have done well over night. I went to check on them and I think I saw Zavala mount Chai. I think Zavala is in heat so I’m sure that doesn’t help this haha. Do you think she will be less pushy out of heat? Overall I think they are holding their own okay. Thank you!
 
piggl said:
I have only "owned" sows second hand as my grandmother used to have a few sows, so I will just attach the forums guides on such and hopefully you will find these nice to have a read through.
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)

Pictures are always welcome, if you wish to share! ;)
Click to expand...
I’m just hoping they can be good friends. They arnt super annoyed by each other. But sometimes Zavala will mount Chai still, but It resolves pretty quickly but chai just running away. Do you think when Zavalas heat passes she will mount Chai less? I can usually tell when she’s in heat because she rubs her butt on me when I pet her, and she only does that for a couple days every few weeks. They’ve been in the bonding pen for about 24 hours. I shouldn’t be worried about the couple times Zavala tries to mount chai right? I’ve also attached some pictures :)
 

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Ominester said:
I’m just hoping they can be good friends. They arnt super annoyed by each other. But sometimes Zavala will mount Chai still, but It resolves pretty quickly but chai just running away. Do you think when Zavalas heat passes she will mount Chai less? I can usually tell when she’s in heat because she rubs her butt on me when I pet her, and she only does that for a couple days every few weeks. They’ve been in the bonding pen for about 24 hours. I shouldn’t be worried about the couple times Zavala tries to mount chai right? I’ve also attached some pictures :)
Click to expand...

Mounting is a normal dominance behaviour. You do not need to worry about it.
If they’ve been in the bonding pen for that long and are ok, then they are now safe to move to their permanent cage (make sure to clean it out first)
 
Ominester said:
I’m just hoping they can be good friends. They arnt super annoyed by each other. But sometimes Zavala will mount Chai still, but It resolves pretty quickly but chai just running away. Do you think when Zavalas heat passes she will mount Chai less? I can usually tell when she’s in heat because she rubs her butt on me when I pet her, and she only does that for a couple days every few weeks. They’ve been in the bonding pen for about 24 hours. I shouldn’t be worried about the couple times Zavala tries to mount chai right? I’ve also attached some pictures :)
Click to expand...
Gorgeous girls :wub:

Mounting is not unusual in dominance and hierarchy. You will have to remember that they are still getting to know each other.
I can not comment on if this is will pass but I assume once she comes out of heat and as they create their hierarchy things will calm down a little.
 
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