Treat stealing

[superka]

So i just got a second piggy cookie. So far they seem ok with each other. they keep distance but have no problems eating out of the hay i throw in the middle. they both have their own water bottles and hay feeders if they dont feel like sharing. the only problem is pellets and veggies. they like to steal from each other and that does get aggressive reaction. i do understand cookie is getting used to her new environment and that will just take time. I'm sure caramilk is also getting used to having a roommate. so far ive just been watching them as they eat their veggies and keep thing civil between them. anything i need to watch for? or something i can do to help ease their coexistance?

 

[Wiebke]

So i just got a second piggy cookie. So far they seem ok with each other. they keep distance but have no problems eating out of the hay i throw in the middle. they both have their own water bottles and hay feeders if they dont feel like sharing. the only problem is pellets and veggies. they like to steal from each other and that does get aggressive reaction. i do understand cookie is getting used to her new environment and that will just take time. I'm sure caramilk is also getting used to having a roommate. so far ive just been watching them as they eat their veggies and keep thing civil between them. anything i need to watch for? or something i can do to help ease their coexistance?

View attachment 188015

Hi!

Please take a deep breath and do not interfere. This is very normal behaviour.
Babies learn what is safe to eat or not by taking food off their elders' mouths. Siblings will squabble over the best bits. One of the strongest piggy drives is 'I want what you have' just because I might miss out on somethings. It does have its good sides, too, when introducing new foods.\

Please make sure that your piggies have access to unlimited hay (which is by far the biggest part of their diet and crucial for long term health and a longer life) at all.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

I would also strongly recommend that you cover up the chicken wire because as it is, it can cause crippling injuries to their legs once your piggies start running and jumping and slide through.
How big is their cage?

 

[superka]

Hi!

Please take a deep breath and do not interfere. This is very normal behaviour.
Babies learn what is safe to eat or not by taking food off their elders' mouths. Siblings will squabble over the best bits. One of the strongest piggy drives is 'I want what you have' just because I might miss out on somethings. It does have its good sides, too, when introducing new foods.\

Please make sure that your piggies have access to unlimited hay (which is by far the biggest part of their diet and crucial for long term health and a longer life) at all.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

I would also strongly recommend that you cover up the chicken wire because as it is, it can cause crippling injuries to their legs once your piggies start running and jumping and slide through.
How big is their cage?

Their cage is a bit bigger then 2x4. i attached the wire to the cage sideways and the bottoms are screwed into a pallet i used as a base blow the floor the piggies are on. the pointed ends are only pointed upwards and even then i have them all stapled down for my own hands sake. i've cut my hand on wire before. no fun.the part the can rub against is braided long wire with no points. i will stop my self from interfering tho. its mostly caramilks pellet bowl. she seems kinda territorial over it, but also the number one pellet thief... she's also the smaller of the two. i just didn't want her being dominated by cookie. On a positive note i am seeing more activity out of caramilk. she moves around her cage more and makes noises (she was always very silent apart from wheeking for veggies). now she makes little chirps and soft wheeks around her cage.

 

[weepweeps]

If the food bowl is an issue you can use two bowls or even some members sprinkle the pellets around so the piggies forage for them. Hope they settle soon. It can take two weeks before they calm down. Glad Caramilk seems happier already.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I would get rid of the bowl altogether and simply scatter feed. She can’t be territorial if the bowl doesn’t exist and it also gives them enrichment by having to forage for their food