Third pig?

[Mylittlespices]

Plz help! I have 2, 8 month old sows and they were ok at the start, but after months of being together ginger bullies cinnamon, chasing cinnamon out of hideys constantly, nipping and blocking hay, causing cinnamon to be very shy and timid. I have tried everything and now have them in seperate cages right next to eachother, but they are getting lonely. Is it possible getting another sow will help the bond, if not i will have to rehome ginger for room for another pig for cinnamon as i only have 2 cages but could possibly fit all three.

 

[cavylover2002]

Your piggies are going through the teen years-all guinea pigs go through this stage. My two boys went through it...Gingy the submissive pig challenged my dominant boar buttercup in the teen years but this resulted in buttercup nipping ginger, chasing, mounting, etc but I let them stay together as neither drew blood but yes those were a tough few months. Now they are both abo 14 months old, the “teen,” years are over and they haven’t fought since then and are actually quite bonded so to be honest, it should naturally pass as long as neither get wounded! Sometimes adding a third pig does help (I’ve witnessed a few scenarios) but not guaranteed. Hope I’ve offered some helpful advice and maybe make you feel a bit better about keeping them together again

 

[Mylittlespices]

Your piggies are going through the teen years-all guinea pigs go through this stage. My two boys went through it...Gingy the submissive pig challenged my dominant boar buttercup in the teen years but this resulted in buttercup nipping ginger, chasing, mounting, etc but I let them stay together as neither drew blood but yes those were a tough few months. Now they are both abo 14 months old, the “teen,” years are over and they haven’t fought since then and are actually quite bonded so to be honest, it should naturally pass as long as neither get wounded! Sometimes adding a third pig does help (I’ve witnessed a few scenarios) but not guaranteed. Hope I’ve offered some helpful advice and maybe make you feel a bit better about keeping them together again

Thank you, but i do not believe this is just the teen years, cinnamon is not allowed to eat hay or go into any hideys without ginger chasing her out of the hidey. This is not just some of the time it is all the time. I have also done a trial separation and have found that that the bond is not working, ginger desperately wants to get back to cinnamon but cinnamon shows no interest in going back and even perked up quite a bit.

 

[cavylover2002]

Thank you, but i do not believe this is just the teen years, cinnamon is not allowed to eat hay or go into any hideys without ginger chasing her out of the hidey. This is not just some of the time it is all the time. I have also done a trial separation and have found that that the bond is not working, ginger desperately wants to get back to cinnamon but cinnamon shows no interest in going back and even perked up quite a bit.

Mine did the same. Buttercup chased Ginger out of the hideys and one time I got REALLY worried because I heard them scruffling INSIDE the hidey but again, no injuries. I am unsure whether they are having a falling out or it’s again, just the teen years. Mine could still eat hay because I have a hay box and a hay rack (both across the cage so pigs can eat hay in two separate areas) so I’d also recommend that x

 

[Mylittlespices]

I so put hay in multiple places like everything but ginger will notice and chase cinnamon so i am fairly certain it is bulling and a fall out in their bond, but i appreciate the suggestion.

 

[Black piggies]

I had exactly the same situation with 2 young sows and had to separate them after a few months. I was advised by the local guinea pig rescue lady to get a boar. I found a single boar in pets at homes adoption area and had him neutered, (I figured that I wouldn't separate a pair of bonded boars or put a boar through an op unless it would enhance his life). I followed advice about introductions on this site and thank goodness it worked. They've lived together happily for 2 years now. Bully pig is still dominant but not making physical attacks or blocking food. They just needed a boyfriend

 

[tatals]

I have two boys who had to be separated due to drawn blood - and a permanent scar on Oreo's cute lips. They live next to each other, but it works completely fine. Oreo was extremely aggressive - even towards me - while they lived together, as he was always stressed out. Now that he lives by himself, he popcorns all the time and is very easy to deal with. Shoyu is his usual self, he has a lot of energy and nothing seems to bring him down. Separating them was the best move, as they can still communicate to each other, touch noses, etc, but without all the bullying. Are you sure they're unhappy living next to each other? How long have they been separated?

 

[Betsy]

@Wiebke is the bonding expert and so she should be able to help you. In the meantime have a read of these threads:-

Boars, sows or mixed pairs; babies or adults?
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Bonds In Trouble

 

[Lady Kelly]

Personally I would not add another pig to a bond in trouble. It's like being sat in a room with someone you can't stand. Adding a friend to the situation doesn't make you like the other person any more

 

[Mylittlespices]

I have two boys who had to be separated due to drawn blood - and a permanent scar on Oreo's cute lips. They live next to each other, but it works completely fine. Oreo was extremely aggressive - even towards me - while they lived together, as he was always stressed out. Now that he lives by himself, he popcorns all the time and is very easy to deal with. Shoyu is his usual self, he has a lot of energy and nothing seems to bring him down. Separating them was the best move, as they can still communicate to each other, touch noses, etc, but without all the bullying. Are you sure they're unhappy living next to each other? How long have they been separated?

They have been seperated for a few weeks now and are noticeably less active and quieter. Some days they don't even wheek or come out of hiding and ginger is still biting the cage bars like crazy.

 

[Mylittlespices]

Personally I would not add another pig to a bond in trouble. It's like being sat in a room with someone you can't stand. Adding a friend to the situation doesn't make you like the other person any more

Yeah that's what I'm thinking just exploring all the options.

 

[Merab]

What a tough situation to be in.
You clearly care for your girls and are trying to do the best for them.
You do seem to have done everything possible and all the right things.
Whatever the final decision and outcome you will be supported here

 

[Mylittlespices]

What a tough situation to be in.
You clearly care for your girls and are trying to do the best for them.
You do seem to have done everything possible and all the right things.
Whatever the final decision and outcome you will be supported here

Thank you

 

[Wiebke]

Plz help! I have 2, 8 month old sows and they were ok at the start, but after months of being together ginger bullies cinnamon, chasing cinnamon out of hideys constantly, nipping and blocking hay, causing cinnamon to be very shy and timid. I have tried everything and now have them in seperate cages right next to eachother, but they are getting lonely. Is it possible getting another sow will help the bond, if not i will have to rehome ginger for room for another pig for cinnamon as i only have 2 cages but could possibly fit all three.

Hi!

Unfortunately adding a third piggy (including a neutered boar) will not work with a dysfunctional pair; the newcomer will in my own experience soon side with one of the feuding piggies, which is inevitably creating an outsider situation.
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

What many people do not know is that sows can also suffer from hormone problems during their teenage months, only that it rarely leads to a full-out fight. Have you considered having your bully girl vet checked by a good vet and discuss hormone treatment or a spaying operation?
Sow behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

Before you make any further plans, please try to re-bond them on neutral ground. See how that goes; especially check whether the under-sow wants to be with her companion or is stressed out by being face to face. That would give your piggies their say in the affair and you can then make any further decision on a much more informed basis.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Please never rehome a guinea pig into a single situation and if you rehome privately, make sure that you have visited the new home and any set-up in person beforehand; also that any new piggy company is working out.
If at all possible, contact a rescue within your reach with mandatory quarantine and vet care that does not adopt out single piggies, either. Ideally you date your other girl at the rescue to allow her to choose who she wants to be happy with if you can get to a rescue that offers dating. Age and gender (opposite gender de-sexed, of course) come a very distant second and third to mutual liking and character compatibility.
Please also keep in mind that as a caring owner, you will experience very strong feelings of guilt and that you are going through a full grieving process when you give a piggy of yours away, even in those cases where it is the best solution for a piggy and the new home is every bit as good or better than yours (whether that is privately or through a rescue).
UK: Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues
Some other countries (including US): Guinea Lynx :: Rescue Organizations
There are of course more rescues, but in these cases it is up to you to check the quality and safety of the individual operation as in English speaking countries anybody can call themselves as rescue without licensing and welfare checks - and the results can be accordingly. The above links are all carefully vetted good standard rescues that comply with and surpass welfare recommendations at any stage of care in rescue and the adoption process.

Your dominant girl may most likely be happier with a neutered boar companion than a sow, and so may your under-sow, especially a gentle adult one.

 

[Black piggies]

Hi!

Unfortunately adding a third piggy (including a neutered boar) will not work with a dysfunctional pair; the newcomer will in my own experience soon side with one of the feuding piggies, which is inevitably creating an outsider situation.
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

What many people do not know is that sows can also suffer from hormone problems during their teenage months, only that it rarely leads to a full-out fight. Have you considered having your bully girl vet checked by a good vet and discuss hormone treatment or a spaying operation?
Sow behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

Before you make any further plans, please try to re-bond them on neutral ground. See how that goes; especially check whether the under-sow wants to be with her companion or is stressed out by being face to face. That would give your piggies their say in the affair and you can then make any further decision on a much more informed basis.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Please never rehome a guinea pig into a single situation and if you rehome privately, make sure that you have visited the new home and any set-up in person beforehand; also that any new piggy company is working out.
If at all possible, contact a rescue within your reach with mandatory quarantine and vet care that does not adopt out single piggies, either. Ideally you date your other girl at the rescue to allow her to choose who she wants to be happy with if you can get to a rescue that offers dating. Age and gender (opposite gender de-sexed, of course) come a very distant second and third to mutual liking and character compatibility.
Please also keep in mind that as a caring owner, you will experience very strong feelings of guilt and that you are going through a full grieving process when you give a piggy of yours away, even in those cases where it is the best solution for a piggy and the new home is every bit as good or better than yours (whether that is privately or through a rescue).
UK: Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues
Some other countries (including US): Guinea Lynx :: Rescue Organizations
There are of course more rescues, but in these cases it is up to you to check the quality and safety of the individual operation as in English speaking countries anybody can call themselves as rescue without licensing and welfare checks - and the results can be accordingly. The above links are all carefully vetted good standard rescues that comply with and surpass welfare recommendations at any stage of care in rescue and the adoption process.

Your dominant girl may most likely be happier with a neutered boar companion than a sow, and so may your under-sow, especially a gentle adult one.

If it's not advisable to add a neutered boar because it can go wrong that's great advice. But just to repeat, it did work for me. I followed the advice of the very experienced local rescue owner. In the photo of my happy trio, the one lying relaxed with her leg out is the one who was being bitten and attacked by the other sow 2 years ago, before getting the boar. Not recommending anyone to do it if I was lucky and it can go wrong. Just to say that when I did it under expert advice, it did work.

 

[Mylittlespices]

Hi!

Unfortunately adding a third piggy (including a neutered boar) will not work with a dysfunctional pair; the newcomer will in my own experience soon side with one of the feuding piggies, which is inevitably creating an outsider situation.
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

What many people do not know is that sows can also suffer from hormone problems during their teenage months, only that it rarely leads to a full-out fight. Have you considered having your bully girl vet checked by a good vet and discuss hormone treatment or a spaying operation?
Sow behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

Before you make any further plans, please try to re-bond them on neutral ground. See how that goes; especially check whether the under-sow wants to be with her companion or is stressed out by being face to face. That would give your piggies their say in the affair and you can then make any further decision on a much more informed basis.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Please never rehome a guinea pig into a single situation and if you rehome privately, make sure that you have visited the new home and any set-up in person beforehand; also that any new piggy company is working out.
If at all possible, contact a rescue within your reach with mandatory quarantine and vet care that does not adopt out single piggies, either. Ideally you date your other girl at the rescue to allow her to choose who she wants to be happy with if you can get to a rescue that offers dating. Age and gender (opposite gender de-sexed, of course) come a very distant second and third to mutual liking and character compatibility.
Please also keep in mind that as a caring owner, you will experience very strong feelings of guilt and that you are going through a full grieving process when you give a piggy of yours away, even in those cases where it is the best solution for a piggy and the new home is every bit as good or better than yours (whether that is privately or through a rescue).
UK: Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues
Some other countries (including US): Guinea Lynx :: Rescue Organizations
There are of course more rescues, but in these cases it is up to you to check the quality and safety of the individual operation as in English speaking countries anybody can call themselves as rescue without licensing and welfare checks - and the results can be accordingly. The above links are all carefully vetted good standard rescues that comply with and surpass welfare recommendations at any stage of care in rescue and the adoption process.

Your dominant girl may most likely be happier with a neutered boar companion than a sow, and so may your under-sow, especially a gentle adult one.

Thank you, i really appreciate the reply. I have tried rebonding which did not work out. I am now going forth with rehoming ginger and have set up a time for cinnamon to meet some guinea pigs at a shelter. I was just exploring every option so i can make the right decision for both Guinea pigs.

 

[cavylover2002]

Thank you, i really appreciate the reply. I have tried rebonding which did not work out. I am now going forth with rehoming ginger and have set up a time for cinnamon to meet some guinea pigs at a shelter. I was just exploring every option so i can make the right decision for both Guinea pigs.

If you rehome Ginger, make sure you list a high rehoming fee of $30 or MORE as snake baiters love to browse ads for guinea pigs that are cheap or free!