Newish Guinea Pig Mom

[Blueeyez1016]

Hello guys! Just needing to ask a few questions I have two guinea pigs currently, right now. But, I got my first guinea pig about six months ago and she has been single in her cage since then but my roommate upstairs has guinea pigs and she has had play dates with her five piggies a lot over the last 6 months. About a week and a half ago I decided to adopt an adult one and a half -year-old piggy. At the very beginning, over the course of a day, I put them in a very large sized playpen and gave them water, hay green and some other treats. I just let them bond over the course of about 9 to 10 hours. They seem to be doing pretty well so they are in a cage currently together. It’s a 2 x 4 size. They seem to be doing good inside the cage together plus my piggy loves that she has someone else, more recently than ever. When I lay out large sized blankets in my living room floor, a big open area, and scatter greens and treats throughout.They first eat well together but then my new piggy will come over to me, very curious, and then my original babe gets very territorial. At this point it seems pretty mild to medium on a scale. But they have been together in the cage for over a week. How long does a good bonding take? Or is it that my first babe is that territorial over me because I spent a lot of time with her. At least 30 minutes every day and I consciously knew I wasn’t gonna get her a buddy. Maybe she might not get over it? Other than that they sit beside each other, they eat beside each other and last night they were even in the same Igloo once I put them back in their cage after having a play date. They even are comfortable pooping right beside each other. I also want to bond well with Dolly (my newest babe). Should I only love on her when Reesey (my first babe) is not around? Also what are some ways that I can bond well with her? She is a pretty tame guinea pig. Plus she is very lovable and also submissive. But I can tell she’s nervous at first

Ps: I am so in love with my guinea pigs! I also have a dog who’s about 45 lbs and she just sits by at play date time. She’ll come over and easily walk over/through them and softly sniff them. They are very much okay with her and are not frightened. It warms my heart so much that my first and only baby for a very long time( she’s 14), my dog Roxy, loves and treats my Guineas so well and that they are completely okay with her

 

[Siikibam]

Welcome! Your girls are gorgeous! I’m sure your dog is gentle but please be watchful when the pigs are out and he’s around. There’s a guide for bonding and piggy behaviour, and lots of other useful information here. I’d spend time with them together. What makes you think Reesey is being territorial?

 

[Piggies&buns]

That would also be my question - what is she doing to make you think she’s territorial?

 

[Sophie B]

Please don’t put your piggies with dogs, I’m sure Roxy is a lovely dog but you never know what could happen

 

[Eva121]

Same question as the last two, how is she territorial?
It also takes a bit longer for some guinea pigs to fully bond, if its just the first night i think you should let them get to know each other a bit better and let them settle aside their differences.

 

[Blueeyez1016]

Because she teeth chatters very loudly and lunges at Dolly. Little snippy but doesn’t seem to hurt Dolly either. It’s like she’s territoral over me and over food. Because I had her for 6 months alone she got a lot of attention. Just worry I bonded her with me too much to have another piggy? But yet Reesey loves having her around I completely understand about the dog questions and worries but I promise my babies will stay safe forever ♾ I love them SO much

 

[Blueeyez1016]

D

Same question as the last two, how is she territorial?
It also takes a bit longer for some guinea pigs to fully bond, if its just the first night i think you should let them get to know each other a bit better and let them settle aside their differences.

i left them in a large pen for nearly 10 hours to start the bonding. Atleast so I could put Dolly in with Reese. They are perfectly fine inside the cage. Reese only acts like that if I’m holding both of them and I’m petting Dolly. Reese with teeth chatter and lunge toward her (not actually biting) to scare her. And she does it when I get the 2 of them out and let them be free in my living room with goodies. She’ll do the same thing toward Dolly if I’m feeding them together. Even though I spread out the veggies and greens so they don’t have to be side by side. But they choose too. Lol

 

[Siikibam]

Not sure if that is territorial. It may be she’s just asserting her dominance, reminding the new piggy who the boss is. I think as long as there’s no fighting or blood drawn I think they’ll be ok. Btw do you have two of everything? Including hay piles? Not sure if you said, and I can’t find it in the quick browse I’ve done.