New Owner Need Some Advice On Behaviour

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Tonelessbecs33

Tonelessbecs33

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Hi everyone need some advice on an issue.

We have two young guinea pigs they are both females from the same litter (we were told by the pet shop). We have had them for 3 weeks now and they were 9 weeks old when we purchased them.
They have settled in well and are well bonded with each other, initially Scarlett our whits and tan pup was displaying her dominance through taking whatever food Fluffy (our black fluffy one, as the name suggests) had irrespective of how many bits of pepper were available to her.
However since then she has calmed down and her and fluffy get on great.
We woke up this morning and found that Scarlett was mounting fluffy and sniffing her behind, she has continued to do this for the last two hours, pestering fluffy every 5-10minutes or so. Fluffy doesn't seem to be bothered by this behaviour and just carries on with what she is doing. I have read up about their social interactions and seen that this is either Scarlett displaying dominance again or that Scarlett is in season and this is normal behaviour.
However Scarlett seems to be getting quite aggressive when she is chasing and mounting fluffy and I have to go out I am a little concerned about leaving them alone as fluffy has always been a quiet and mellow pig and I am worried that Scarlett may hurt her. A little advice on this situation would be really helpful. Thanks in advance.
 
New update Fluffy seems to be getting annoyed by Scarlett's behaviour now and is swirling when she is mounted and is running away from her when she sees Scarlett.
 
Hello, welcome to the forum.

I would imagine it is a really strong season, at times they are not pleasant to watch but should calm down within 12hr-36hrs.

I would expect Fluffy to be responding as she is. As long as neither are snapping at each other. There will likely be teeth chattering and some spraying going on from Fluffy as she gets irked.

How big is there cage?

What are there hides like we use fiddlesticks bridges as homes because of seasons, that way the girls have two entrances and no pig gets trapped in by the other

http://www.petsathome.com/webapp/wc...gclid=CLrR1c3C-9MCFUm37QodR7gOzg&gclsrc=aw.ds
 
sport_billy said:
Hello, welcome to the forum.

I would imagine it is a really strong season, at times they are not pleasant to watch but should calm down within 12hr-36hrs.

I would expect Fluffy to be responding as she is. As long as neither are snapping at each other. There will likely be teeth chattering and some spraying going on from Fluffy as she gets irked.

How big is there cage?

What are there hides like we use fiddlesticks bridges as homes because of seasons, that way the girls have two entrances and no pig gets trapped in by the other

http://www.petsathome.com/webapp/wc...gclid=CLrR1c3C-9MCFUm37QodR7gOzg&gclsrc=aw.ds
Click to expand...
We
sport_billy said:
Hello, welcome to the forum.

I would imagine it is a really strong season, at times they are not pleasant to watch but should calm down within 12hr-36hrs.

I would expect Fluffy to be responding as she is. As long as neither are snapping at each other. There will likely be teeth chattering and some spraying going on from Fluffy as she gets irked.

How big is there cage?

What are there hides like we use fiddlesticks bridges as homes because of seasons, that way the girls have two entrances and no pig gets trapped in by the other

http://www.petsathome.com/webapp/wc...gclid=CLrR1c3C-9MCFUm37QodR7gOzg&gclsrc=aw.ds
Click to expand...
Thanks for that info that has helped they seem to be calmer since I've come home from swimming so fingers crossed she's over the worst of it.
They have a pet store cage I was advised by the pet store that it would be sufficient for them, however since doing a bit of research I have realised that they may need a larger cage. Which I intend to purchase in a fortnight. I will upload a picture of their cage now so you can see. IMG_2628.webpIMG_0372.webp
So the top image is their current cage and the bottom one is the one I am looking at buying for them can you advise as to whether this would be a good cage to purchase or not.
 
C&C cages like that one are great! I have a C&C myself but much bigger as I have 4. Yes sadly the pet shop has wrongfully persuaded you to buy an insufficient cage. Unfortunately that's a pet shops signiture move. Perhaps you'd be able to take it back and complain?

I'd imagine a bigger cage would help a lot when it comes to dominance and seasons. One of my piggies has unbearable seasons where that kind of behaviour (mounting, chasing all the time!) and it's quite exhausting for everyone and horrible to watch. If you're lucky though, the other piggy/piggies will be understanding and just put up with the nonsense, mine do! :))
 
Yes fluffy is such a mellow and laid back pig she was used as a handling pig when the pet shop did workshops with little children. So she doesn't mind being handled but she was so tiny when we had her. Scarlett was tiny too but she's quite long and has always been that little bit bigger that fluffy. When we had them they seemed quite small in the cage but now they have grown quite fast in three weeks and I can see that they are outgrowing this cage so I will have to get a bigger one. As long as I know that I'm getting the right cage that's ok, what size would you suggest? I don't want to get it too small and they end up outgrowing that one.
 
Sounds like Scarlet is having a strong season. This is fairly common in sows. You are right that the cage they are currently in is rather too small. Pet shops have a habit of selling cages that are too small!
The recommended size for 2 piggies is 4 ft x 2 ft. So a 4 x 2 c and c is the right size for 2 piggies. If you can afford the cost and space a 5 x 2 c and c would be even better as it gives even more space to get away from each other if one is feeling pesky.
 
Yeah the pet store sold you a fast one I'm afraid. Often pet stores have no idea on guineas and there needs. The c&c cage you have posted looks great, that is a 2x6 with a loft but as @VickiA stated a 2x4 would be fine although a 2x5 will help with these strong seasons.

C and C Guinea Pig Cages | Guinea Pig Cages are an excellent website we got our cage from them
 
VickiA said:
Sounds like Scarlet is having a strong season. This is fairly common in sows. You are right that the cage they are currently in is rather too small. Pet shops have a habit of selling cages that are too small!
The recommended size for 2 piggies is 4 ft x 2 ft. So a 4 x 2 c and c is the right size for 2 piggies. If you can afford the cost and space a 5 x 2 c and c would be even better as it gives even more space to get away from each other if one is feeling pesky.
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Thank you VickiA that is most helpful, yes I will probably go for the 5x2 depending on price as I would rather them have more room than needed. Do you have any suggestions on indoor/outdoor play pens by any chance again the one we have is rather small and I am new to this and rubbish at sizes. I can't picture how big the sizes given are, if that makes sense.
 
sport_billy said:
Yeah the pet store sold you a fast one I'm afraid. Often pet stores have no idea on guineas and there needs. The c&c cage you have posted looks great, that is a 2x6 with a loft but as @VickiA stated a 2x4 would be fine although a 2x5 will help with these strong seasons.

C and C Guinea Pig Cages | Guinea Pig Cages are an excellent website we got our cage from them
Click to expand...
Great thanks for your help sport_billy i had a feeling it wouldn't be big enough however the choice they had there was very limited they catered more for smaller rodents like hamsters rather than guinea pigs. The lady who sold them to us was a guinea pig owner herself and she seemed to know a bit (well compared to me) but the more I research the more I've found out that she doesn't really have clue. Which is frustrating because I don't want the pigs to be disadvantaged because of bad advice. I will certainly look at C&C and see what they have available. Thanks again for being so helpful.
 
Tonelessbecs33 said:
Great thanks for your help sport_billy i had a feeling it wouldn't be big enough however the choice they had there was very limited they catered more for smaller rodents like hamsters rather than guinea pigs. The lady who sold them to us was a guinea pig owner herself and she seemed to know a bit (well compared to me) but the more I research the more I've found out that she doesn't really have clue. Which is frustrating because I don't want the pigs to be disadvantaged because of bad advice. I will certainly look at C&C and see what they have available. Thanks again for being so helpful.
Click to expand...

:))
Your piggies aren't disadvantaged at all. You are obviously very caring, you found a forum to ask opinions and advice. We have all traveled the path you have with our piggies.... I learn stuff new after 10 years of piggy slaving.

Be lovely to see some photos of your little ones at some point.
 
Yes a 2x5 would be a great size for hormonal girls! If you're concerned about cost you can always make one yourself. I did that myself, with "shoe storage" grids and connectors and bought correx (choroplast) and made the base myself. It was at least half the price of a ready made one and not hard to put together. Zip ties are my best friend, great to add support to the structure!

Your piggies were very lucky to find you, pigtures wouldn't go amiss :P
 
IMG_2725.webp IMG_2766.webp IMG_2794.webp IMG_2725.webp
So Scarlett is the white and tan one and Fluffy is the black one!

So you can see the size of the playpen in the second photo, these were taken a few days after we brought them home and some were a week after we brought them home. You can see how small they are here.

I'll try and get some recent ones over the weekend and post them up.
sport_billy said:
:))
Your piggies aren't disadvantaged at all. You are obviously very caring, you found a forum to ask opinions and advice. We have all traveled the path you have with our piggies.... I learn stuff new after 10 years of piggy slaving.

Be lovely to see some photos of your little ones at some point.
Click to expand...
Aww thank you. I will try and upload them now. They aren't the best photos as I'm rubbish at taking photos.
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
C&C cages like that one are great! I have a C&C myself but much bigger as I have 4. Yes sadly the pet shop has wrongfully persuaded you to buy an insufficient cage. Unfortunately that's a pet shops signiture move. Perhaps you'd be able to take it back and complain?

I'd imagine a bigger cage would help a lot when it comes to dominance and seasons. One of my piggies has unbearable seasons where that kind of behaviour (mounting, chasing all the time!) and it's quite exhausting for everyone and horrible to watch. If you're lucky though, the other piggy/piggies will be understanding and just put up with the nonsense, mine do! :))
Click to expand...

Sorry for the late reply I missed your comment. Yes it was very worrying to watch this morning I was quite upset and frantic. Yes Fluffy is so mellow bless her she must be very understanding. Wow 4 that must fun and very very noisy!
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
Yes a 2x5 would be a great size for hormonal girls! If you're concerned about cost you can always make one yourself. I did that myself, with "shoe storage" grids and connectors and bought correx (choroplast) and made the base myself. It was at least half the price of a ready made one and not hard to put together. Zip ties are my best friend, great to add support to the structure!

Your piggies were very lucky to find you, pigtures wouldn't go amiss :P[/QUOTE

I have thought about building one myself or asking a friend of mine who is a Resistant Materials Teaching Assistant at the local comprehensive to make one for us. See now I have no idea how to do that nor what chloroplast is I think I am going to have to do some more research here.
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Sorry but I agree your cage is too small. If they come into season one of them can end up backed in a corner, I would have said this is your first priority. Like SB said they need bridges & hideys with 2 entrances, I have had my piggies for over a year & I still do the double openings. Like kids they will all fall in & out of friends. Good luck.
Also Hi & Welcome to our friendly forum.
 
Tiamolly123 said:
Sorry but I agree your cage is too small. If they come into season one of them can end up backed in a corner, I would have said this is your first priority. Like SB said they need bridges & hideys with 2 entrances, I have had my piggies for over a year & I still do the double openings. Like kids they will all fall in & out of friends. Good luck.
Also Hi & Welcome to our friendly forum.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice it's most appreciated. I am looking to buy a new one, however I won't be able to do this until two weeks time. I'm hoping they should be ok until then. I don't understand what you mean by double enterances? Is that a house with two holes either side? Hi to you too!
 
Anything I have bridges, carrot houses & the thing they really, really love is cardboard boxes. Just make sure they have an entrance to go in & out the back door. It's so if one is getting a bit stroppy they can run all the way through. If you only have one entrance, they are going to get cornered & that could end up with an injured piggy.
 
Tiamolly123 said:
Anything I have bridges, carrot houses & the thing they really, really love is cardboard boxes. Just make sure they have an entrance to go in & out the back door. It's so if one is getting a bit stroppy they can run all the way through. If you only have one entrance, they are going to get cornered & that could end up with an injured piggy.
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Ah right ok, yea I've seen those carrot houses they look good, when I get the new cage I will have to get one of them. This cage is too small for them though.
 
Once you get the new cage you're be able to get them. Somewhere I forget where it is the is a thread think it's called carrot house demolition it shows you what some of the piggies have done to their houses & how long it took them. I'll tag someone & they'll tell you where it is. @VickiA @PiggyOwner
 
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Tonelessbecs33 said:
Sorry for the late reply I missed your comment. Yes it was very worrying to watch this morning I was quite upset and frantic. Yes Fluffy is so mellow bless her she must be very understanding. Wow 4 that must fun and very very noisy!
Click to expand...

Oh very! Especially at feeding time :))

There are some handy threads on here for building a C&C if you need it. Otherwise if you can get someone else to make you one even better right? :P
 
Oh the strong season, gotta love it...NOT. Sometimes I feel like the only words I ever mutter to my Patchy is "For christ sake Patchy have some class" as when Coco is in season you can guarantee Patchy has her nose pretty much glued to poor Coco's bum and she wonders why Coco rumbles and nips at her (seriously she looks very confused lol).
 
Seasons are horrible right? I even got some dried camomile to give them in the hope that it would calm them in their season but I don't think it was a long lasting affect... Think it works briefly but not long enough! :))
 
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