New pigs

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ddc08

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Hi all.

We've just got 2 new guinea pigs, about 4 months old that we adopted from the Pets at Home charity bit. We've had them just short of a week and seem to be settling in really well. They seem quite happy to let us pick them up now and come out of their home when we're in the room - where as a few days ago they would bolt into it the first sign of us and stay there.

They're two brothers and seem to squabble quite a bit. We haven't figured out which is the dominant one as they're both as bad as each other. Is it normal for them to squabble quite a bit, we can't tell if they are playing or not. It doesn't seem to be violent at the moment.

Also, we tried cleaning the cage for the first time today. They are indoor guinea pigs and at the moment we don't have a run for them. Today is the first time they have come out of the cage, we plan on letting them run around the room but we need to cover wires and other things first.

But to clean the cage and hoover the sawdust and hay we put them in the kitchen which is fairly quiet. They didn't really seem to like it, pretty much stayed in the same spot and wee'd quite a lot as well, just sitting in it. Is this because it's a new environment they'd not been in before, plus they hadn't been out of the cage? Will they get used to it or do they really not like going in there?

Thanks.
 
When I clean my two out I put them into a plastic travel box with a pile of hay - it's a case of spot the guinea pig under all the hay but it keeps them occupied and fairly stress free for the 10 mins it takes to clean them out.
 
Hello :)
Boars do tend to squabble more than sows due to the fact that they are more dominant. The reason that they are squabbling is probably because they are trying to sort out the dominance thing between them. If they start to fight and it becomes violent eg if they drew blood, then this would be the time to seperate them. They do seem perfectly happy to me though. Their behaviour in the kitchen is likely to be because its a new environment and they are just taking everything in. My 2 girls have a run in the kitchen when the weather is poor and when I clean them out and sometimes they'll run around and play and another time, they'll just sit in the corner quietly. I don't think that you have anything to be worried about though :) Pics of the duo would be nice when they're settled :)p xx
 
it sounds like they may not have been together long before you got them especially if they are 'squabbling' are we talking bum wiggles and chattering and rumbling or fighting?
give them as much space as possible and give 2 of everything bed bottle and bowl so they can get on with out worrying about fighting over things if possible give extra water bottle so they can drink when they want
the response when being cleaned out does sound interesting do you know any more about their past as they sound nervous boys and they will normally take a few weeks of of hugs and getting used to you to settle
Good Luck thou
Ron
 
Squeak and stare at each other a little bit. Nothing major at the moment it seems. There is only one water bottle and food dish, but they don't go for it at the same time. When we put treats in we put two lots in. Although they like to steal off each other even though there is plenty for them both.

We didn't get told anything about their past except that they were fighting with their brother (I'm guessing older?) and they were brought in for adoption. You are right though, they are quite nervous. If we come into the room they do tend to go straight into their house if out, but will come out now with us there.

Will post pictures at some point when they settle and let us move up to the cage.
 
Hi again all.

Just a quick update on how the two little piggies are doing. We had them out again today, handling only. We were going to put them in the kitchen for a little run out but decided against it for today. They had a little nibble at some pea pods out of our hands while holding today for the first time and they don't run into the home when they see us come into the room. So they are making progress.

Both appear to be popcorning a lot as well, with "Dude" jumping around the most. It's really cute. They're scrapping over food even though there is plenty, but it's still not malicious - just general brotherly squabbling by looks of things.

Just wondering though. Should we carry their cage into the kitchen taking the top off or leaving their door open so they can run around in it if they want, rather than carrying them into it. Would that be a better idea?
 
They sound like perfectly happy piggies! Took Garry and Minty much longer to be that confident!

P @ H adoption stories can be a bit of a Jackanory story. Garry and Minty were 12 weeks old when I got them and the theory was that they'd been returned because their owner couldn't look after them anymore. It's possible, but it could also have been because they were getting too old to be 'cute' anymore so they needed to be moved on. They have the same eye circles so could be related, although they are totally different! Benjamin was on his own in the adoption bit (otherwise he may not have come home with me if he had had company). His story was that he was the runt of the litter and was the last one left. He was about 1.25kg when I came on holiday so is hardly the runt. My theory for him is that he has red eyes so wasn't as popular as the other piggies. He was 9 weeks old at the time.

Anyhow, back on track - it sounds like you're doing a great job with your new piggies. I've got a cheap plastic paddling pool for my boys to run around in and they enjoy it so much. I line it with a blanket/towels and they stay in there for ages. It came from Argos and I'm sure there'll be some in the sales. Just another option!

Pics when you can please...I'm dying to see them!
 
I agree with you MintyandGary. I know that people are against 'buying' pets but i brought Eliza from pets at home as a companion for Connie. When I went to look for a female guinea pig, she was the only one left. She looked bigger than the others (the males in the next enclosure) and also has red eyes. I'm pretty sure that nobody wanted her and if I hadn't have brought her home, she would have ended up in the adoption centre to make room for the new babies.
 
Hi ddc08 ... welcome to the forum and the mad addictive world of guinea pig ownership! :))

It sounds that you are doing a grand job with your new piggies. Guinea pigs are naturally timid creatures but I am sure that it is just a case of your two settlling in.

Were they living together when you got them?
Like humans, they all have different personalities. Boars can be more of a problem to live peacefully together, especially of a similar age. But there are many boars that do live nicely together. Just be watchful of them and that one isn't much more dominant on the other one. If one is dominant and the other one happy to be the recessive one, then you will be ok. If it becomes a battle or biting occurs then they might have be separated.

Keep us posted how things go and if you can, pop some photos of them on here! :)
 
Hi ddc08..

My 2 boars which were brothers used to harmlessly squabble until about 6 months old when they hit adolesence. You will be able to tell the difference in their squeeks if it becomes violent, as its much higher pitched.

They sound like they are getting on well at the moment!

Looking forward to seeing pictures... x
 
Wii certainly get some pics on at some point. I've had piggies before when I was younger, two girls and they were outside so didn't see them as much as I see these two. I tend to be in the study where they are most of the day so just watch them. I've never seen one popcorn, so cute.

The idea about a pool is a great idea and one we'll look into. We just got them a big cardboard tube for the cage and Dude especially likes it. Seems to love running in and out and around it.
 
Ok so tonight the squabbling has gone up another level. They're squeaking a lot at each other and had a little fight. Didn't appear to be any biting. Are they duelling it out for the role of dominant male or should I be quite concerned? Will they settle if this is the case? We have no space for another hutch so can't split them up and if we are to believe what we were told at P@H they are only 4 months old, so too young to get neutered if we got a female for company if we had to give one up. Any ideas? They both still seem really happy, jumping around and eating. Just a bit concerned about the little tiff I just saw
 
For now I would let them get on with it. If any violent outbreaks break out and blood is drawn, then this would be the time to separate them. Just keep an eye on them for now :)
 
I'm just wondering whether to get another home. dude seems really sad (still jumping around happily most of the time). Whenever he goes up to Harry to touch noises, Harry has none of it and Dude has a high pitched squeak that sounds quite sad.

Edit: I can't tell who is squeaking now and who is grating/growling. They seem to be a little quieter now, just have to keep an eye on them. Think I'll pop off to P@H before it shuts and get another home just so it there for them.
 
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I think you just need to keep an eye on them as you are already doing.

Fingers crossed all will settle down, but you are obviously preparing yourself in case it doesn't ... which is sensible.

Keep us posted!
 
Now could be a good time to bath them together so that they carry the same scent, it sometimes helps when dominance battles are at play. Until one of them establishes dominance you are likely to see this behaviour, typically when they confront each other face to face he who holds his nose the highest for the longest rules supreme
 
Thanks for that information. I was thinking of bathing them soon, one is smelling a little. How often is it a good idea to give them a bath?
 
i bath my short haired pigghies every three months or so. All my piggies have red eyes cant understand why there the last ones in the pet shop there still darn cute!
 
How long can it take for this dominance thing to sort out? Dude is making quite angry noises at Harry, think it's teeth grating. We've got a seperate home for them both now and I think at the moment they are sleeping apart (lovers tiff!) but there's no marks on them at the moment and no blood which is good.
 
Oh and this is Harry

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And this is Dude

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I'll get some better pictures at some point. They seem to be a little bit more jumpy since they started arguing more
 
My two boys (brothers) have started the dominance thing I think, walking around the hutch slowly rumbling at each other, noses in the air. Nothing too serious at the moment and its a big hutch with bedroom upstairs and downstairs, so there is plenty of space. They are only 9 weeks old. Is this a bit early to start sorting out whose boss? Do they eventually or usually work it out, is this a phase? Like ddc, I would like to be prepared. Never had boys before these. x
 
Sometimes. I think it depends on how they are feeling. I've seen them go into the main house together and there's other times where I've come home and found one in one house and the other in the other. And there doesn't seem to be any ownership of the houses, they tend to sqwap around between the places regularly.

Unfortunatly it does seem to be getting slightly worse. I don't want to split them up, but it look slike we may have to. We don't have the room for another cage so one will have to go to a rescue center I think. Hopefully not though, I'm hoping they calm down soon enough.

They do seem to miss each other though when they can't see each other. We took Harry out for a stroke the other day and Dude was squeeking as he couldn't find him and Dude appears to be the more dominant one now.
 
We're making some progress with the litte terrors. Last night I went and bought a pack of the mesh storage cubes from B&Q and set it up in the kitchen. Put the second house in the made up run and their food, chew sticks and cardboard tube. They seemed much happier then the last time we put them in, having a little sniff around before they both went into the house with no fighting.

They also don't struggle at all know when we pick them up. Still try and run away from us, but quickly realise who we are and just let us take them which is nice and they're now eating from our hands. Little carrott sticks seem to be their favourite.

As soon as we put them back in the cage though they start arguing again. They definatly are sleeping in different houses which I think will be the norm from now on, even when they (hopefully) do resolve the dominance thing. As long as they get along and can live together in the cage I don't mind having two homes in it.
 
ddc08 said:
We're making some progress with the litte terrors. Last night I went and bought a pack of the mesh storage cubes from B&Q and set it up in the kitchen. Put the second house in the made up run and their food, chew sticks and cardboard tube. They seemed much happier then the last time we put them in, having a little sniff around before they both went into the house with no fighting.

They also don't struggle at all know when we pick them up. Still try and run away from us, but quickly realise who we are and just let us take them which is nice and they're now eating from our hands. Little carrott sticks seem to be their favourite.

As soon as we put them back in the cage though they start arguing again. They definatly are sleeping in different houses which I think will be the norm from now on, even when they (hopefully) do resolve the dominance thing. As long as they get along and can live together in the cage I don't mind having two homes in it.
Click to expand...

Aww there new run sounds fab and it sounds like they are settling down a little. My alice and Dermot have never been the best of pals, Alice likes people but is'nt a fan of those wheeky little furry things ( i'm not sure that she knows she is one!). They live together but sleep in seperate houses and spend most of their time at opposite ends of the cage! rolleyes
Like you said though Dermot wheeks his little heart out if Alice is'nt with him for any amount of time, so they must like each other a little! :))

Ooh and i love the pics, they are such cuties x
 
Just put them both back in the run and put down a sheet now as well. We didn't think they liked the kitchen floor too much, a bit too slippery for them. They are running around happily, but understandably in a new environment, something occasionally spooks them, so they both run into the house.

This of course causes an arguement and Harry is quickly pushed out, with some load squeeking and grating of teeth going on. Harry has also done something I've not seen before. He's sprayed something that looks white on the sheet towards Dude who was sniffing around his bum being a little bully again. Anyone know what this is? We also had the thought of would castrating them both in a few months calm them both down?

Edit:

They've been in the run for about 30 minutes and we've had to take Harry out due to the fighting. Dude really does appear to be, at times, bullying Harry. We left Harry out for about half an hour and then put him back with Dude - who then goes straight towards him into a box I put in and they scrap again. They have quietened down and have been sat eating Hay together and have even gone and sat in the house together with no bother. Just before the last argument, Harry sprayed again, except this time it was a puddle, really white and came from his rear. It's not diarrhoea as I have seen him poo quite a lot in the run, all normal shape size and colour. I tried to take a picture but they ended up messing it up. I've just found out this might be their urine. It was milky coloured.
 
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Castrating won't affect their dominant behaviour, we considered getting our first couple of boys neutered after they fell out after a bit of research we decided against it. I don't trust vets, I'm too scared to get either of the boys neutered I think its too risky.

Could you like divide their current cage until they calm down a bit, and then give them both a bath so they smell the same and reintroduce them? From what I've heard buddy bathing can work, but some people have found that it makes the situation worse, so I spose it just depends the pig.

I don't know what the spraying is, I've never had that with my boys, but its possible that its wee, I notice sometimes when Spike rumble-struts he sometimes leaves droplets of urine behind him, I always assumed he was just leaving his scent.

It sounds like just puberty, when they're in the run try to provide two houses because some boars will fight over the tiniest of things. I also find that fighting and dominant behaviour seems to stop as soon as the food comes out, so perhaps you could give them their veg in the run to distract them from each other. Also don't remove Harry unless it gets really viscious, rumble-strutting, chasing, mounting, minor teeth chattering are not signs of fighting yet, they are just one piggie telling the other who's boss. Only seperate them if their trying to bite each other, and really being viscious, I know dominant behaviour can sometimes seem very viscous and horrible but usually one of the pigs will back down eventually, whereas if you remove them too soon they dont; have time to settle that dispute. Cavy Spirit (scroll down to about half way) has some good information on what to look for before you seperate them.

Good luck with the boars and I hope they settle it soon :)
 
Thanks. I had a look in the internet and found that castration wouldn't do anything. I have come across that website and had a read. We're in two minds whether to give them a bath at the moment, I don't think they would be together, certainly not until we know how they react to being bathed.

It's very weird behaviour they are both expressing. Dude seems very excited. He is squeeking a lot (excitable squeeking) darting around the run looking at everything. Then he will suddenly go towards Harry. I can't tell whether he is going to try and bite Harry. He gets very close to him and Harry really doesn't like it - it does look like he is trying to bite if I'm honest.

Dude also follows Harry around quite a lot, sniffing his rear, although Harry does do this to Dude every now and then as well. It's strange and I don't know what to do with them. They have settled down again now.

I've read that the dominance thing can happen between 3 and 5 months of age. We got them at (apparantly) 4 months of age and were taken to the centre because they didn't get on with their brother (that's the story we were given by P&H anyway). Hopefully it will be another month, it won't get any worse in that period and they will settle down after. Harry was very sad though earlier. :(
 
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