New Piggies aren't getting along?

Nutter Butter

Nutter Butter

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hey, I'm asking this for friend who recently got two new pigs. The pigs are still extremely young (2 months old) and have just been introduced to the house for a few days. One of them has already established dominance over the other, but they seem to be getting a slightly more aggressive. My friend is really on edge and nervous about it because of the high pitched squeals they've been making, and wonders if they are just getting to know each other or if they actually don't like each other. Is this behavior normal? What should we do?
(FYI, The piggies are also female)
 
Without knowing a bit more about the actual behaviour which is being seen it’s not entirely possible to accurately comment, but on the face of it, it is normal behaviour. The high pitched squealing sounds alarming but is actually a good thing. It’s submission squealing - the underpiggy is literally saying to the dominant that she accepts her dominance and position in the hierarchy. As long as one is backing down and is prepared to be the underpiggy then it will be fine.
 
Piggies&buns said:
Without knowing a bit more about the actual behaviour which is being seen it’s not entirely possible to accurately comment, but on the face of it, it is normal behaviour. The high pitched squealing sounds alarming but is actually a good thing. It’s submission squealing - the underpiggy is literally saying to the dominant that she accepts her dominance and position in the hierarchy. As long as one is backing down and is prepared to be the underpiggy then it will be fine.
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Thank you, the underpiggy isn't fighting back which is a good sign. It's just a little anxiety inducing to watch the little pigs cause so much drama
 
Nutter Butter said:
same here, Butter (the dominant one) keeps kicking Bagel out of hiding spaces and it's really sad to see :((
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The dominant usually does have the pick of the best hideys. Ensure they all have two exits and that there are more hideys than piggies.

As they are new piggies, then they will be establishing themselves, particularly if they were pet shop piggies who are usually just put together for sale and not properly bonded at the point of sale . They need to be given time to go through that. It can take a couple of weeks for them to really establish themselves.

Ensure your friend keeps a check on their weights to ensure they are both eating and gaining weight well.
 
I’m sure they will settle down. I know how you feel though. It is sad when one gets booted out of the hides. Sometimes one of mine won’t even let the other one IN the hide! 🤦🏻‍♀️ . It’s usually just a hormone spike with my two. Usually they get along fine. They are boys.
 
Nutter Butter said:
Hey, I'm asking this for friend who recently got two new pigs. The pigs are still extremely young (2 months old) and have just been introduced to the house for a few days. One of them has already established dominance over the other, but they seem to be getting a slightly more aggressive. My friend is really on edge and nervous about it because of the high pitched squeals they've been making, and wonders if they are just getting to know each other or if they actually don't like each other. Is this behavior normal? What should we do?
(FYI, The piggies are also female)
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The squealing is submission. Unfortunately, we cannot judge whether the dominance you are reporting is excessive or not. Please keep in mind that new leaders can be very insecure in themselves and overcompensate; this usually settles after a little while. Keep in mind that pet shop babies are in their 'school weeks' between weaning and teenage whether they would normally attach themselves to an older piggy and learn to master the the finer points of cavy etiquette and how to master their environment by shadowing a willing teacher pig. It can be a daunting task having to step up as a leader by default when you are not feeling qualified. ;)

Please take the time to read about typical sow dominance behaviours in this helpful guide here: Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Journey through a Lifetime: The Ages of Guinea Pigs

Unfortunately, without direct access to your sows, we cannot comment about the general situation bacause we can basically only make guesses based on your assessment but not judge whether this is correct or not - which is what you are asking us to do for you.
It would help us if you could please copy a video that you have uploaded on a public setting elsewhere into this thread since we don't have a supported video uploading facility (the forum is entirely run by voluntary member donations).
 
Wiebke said:
The squealing is submission. Unfortunately, we cannot judge whether the dominance you are reporting is excessive or not. Please keep in mind that new leaders can be very insecure in themselves and overcompensate; this usually settles after a little while. Keep in mind that pet shop babies are in their 'school weeks' between weaning and teenage whether they would normally attach themselves to an older piggy and learn to master the the finer points of cavy etiquette and how to master their environment by shadowing a willing teacher pig. It can be a daunting task having to step up as a leader by default when you are not feeling qualified. ;)

Please take the time to read about typical sow dominance behaviours in this helpful guide here: Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Journey through a Lifetime: The Ages of Guinea Pigs

Unfortunately, without direct access to your sows, we cannot comment about the general situation bacause we can basically only make guesses based on your assessment but not judge whether this is correct or not - which is what you are asking us to do for you.
It would help us if you could please copy a video that you have uploaded on a public setting elsewhere into this thread since we don't have a supported video uploading facility (the forum is entirely run by voluntary member donations).
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I will try to catch them in the act, but they are still very shy and skittish so they dart away whenever I'm around. I'll try my best though! Thank you for the advice
 
Nutter Butter said:
I will try to catch them in the act, but they are still very shy and skittish so they dart away whenever I'm around. I'll try my best though! Thank you for the advice
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Please take the time to read the links. You will hopefully find them very helpful as they explain what behaviours to expect in the first two weeks in which a new group is established in a new territory.

The guides are part of our much more comprehensive New Owners' guide collection, which has lots of information on settling in guinea pigs and making friends with them as well as a chapter on all kinds of behaviour aspect looked at in depth and practical detail; plus lots more!
This is a link you may want to bookmark, browse, read and re-read at need: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
 
whoa, we just moved the piggies to a different and more open location and they immediately started to get along better! I think they were both a bit annoyed from the lack of hideys before.
 
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