Two Guinea Pig Boys Together

[Cherry Berry]

Hello, lovely Guinea Pig Parents,

Fortunately, my little guinea pig boys, Cherry and Berry are at home.

I read a few articles that boys are a bit difficult to work with. But, I have seen and read about people succeeding in this process.

The boys are doing well. While Cherry is sleeping, Berry sits beside him and monitors the surroundings.

They had a few arguments like head tossing and teeth chattering as Berry wants to sit on Cherry and Cherry does not like but it's only for a few seconds. (Please see the image) They have not tried to attack each other. They stop in a few seconds and start playing again.

I can split the cage so that they can see, smell and talk with each other but not touch. I don't wanna do it now as they are at a new place and they are supporting each other. However, I don't want them to attack each other too. They are currently around 8 to 12 weeks old.

What is your opinion should I split the cage in some time?

Best wishes,
Guinea Pig Mum

 

[Piggies&buns]

If they are living together in the same cage and are getting on well, then you have no grounds to separate them. Guinea pigs need to live together. Separating them now and for no real reason would be harmful to their relationship and their happiness. The only time you separate bonding/bonded boars is if there is a full on fight , or if there are clear signs of bullying (which is more than just chasing and mounting - both of which are normal behaviours).

The success of their long term bond relies solely on character compatibility and mutual liking. More boar pairs make it together than not, if they are compatible in character they will be fine together. however, if they aren’t compatible then you will know about it soon enough! once they hit their teens things can get a bit tense but it doesn’t mean that there is going to be problem - as I said, if they are compatible, then they will get through it without any major problems.

Aside from being compatible, there are some things you can do to ensure they have no reason to fall out.

Space - boars need a large cage, larger than most. A minimum of 150cm x 60cm is recommended. Lack of space can be a cause of many an upset in their relationship.

Have two or more food bowls, bottles and hay piles. Ensure you have multiple hide houses (I like to have more hides than piggies, my two boars currently have six hides between them in their shed!), but ensure no hides are enclosed - always have two exits so no piggy can get cornered.

Handle the dominant piggy first - you need to respect their hierarchy.

Don’t put any more piggies in with them. We see people wishing to add to their piggy family, but boars must live strictly in pairs. Don’t add a third boar as it will end up in fights and broken bonds.
Don’t put any females near them. The smell of females can break a boar pair’s bond.

The links below will provide further information.

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

Cage Size Guide

 

[Cherry Berry]

If they are living together in the same cage and are getting on well, then you have no grounds to separate them. Guinea pigs need to live together. Separating them now and for no real reason would be harmful to their relationship and their happiness. The only time you separate bonding/bonded boars is if there is a full on fight , or if there are clear signs of bullying (which is more than just chasing and mounting - both of which are normal behaviours).

The success of their long term bond relies solely on character compatibility and mutual liking. More boar pairs make it together than not, if they are compatible in character they will be fine together. however, if they aren’t compatible then you will know about it soon enough! once they hit their teens things can get a bit tense but it doesn’t mean that there is going to be problem - as I said, if they are compatible, then they will get through it without any major problems.

Aside from being compatible, there are some things you can do to ensure they have no reason to fall out.

Space - boars need a large cage, larger than most. A minimum of 150cm x 60cm is recommended. Lack of space can be a cause of many an upset in their relationship.

Have two or more food bowls, bottles and hay piles. Ensure you have multiple hide houses (I like to have more hides than piggies, my two boars currently have six hides between them in their shed!), but ensure no hides are enclosed - always have two exits so no piggy can get cornered.

Handle the dominant piggy first - you need to respect their hierarchy

Thanks a lot for the reply. They have been together since birth and yes, I have two food bowls and multiple hides with two exists. I will get one more bottle for them. The cage is 6 x 2 ft. Is their teenage from 6 to 9 months?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thanks a lot for the reply. They have been together since birth and yes, I have two food bowls and multiple hides with two exists. I will get one more bottle for them. The cage is 6 x 2 ft. Is their teenage from 6 to 9 months?

That’s good news

Their teens is from 4 to 14 months.

 

[Cherry Berry]

That’s good news

Their teens is from 4 to 14 months.

Okay, cool then. I will keep an eye during that period. Thanks a lot. I was just wanted to confirm as Berry is a bit naughty already and he tries to bully Cherry a bit but he does take care of him when Cherry is sleeping. I didn't wanted to separate them either but didn't wanted to risk. How did you handle your Guinea Pig teenage?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Okay, cool then. I will keep an eye during that period. Thanks a lot. I was just wanted to confirm as Berry is a bit naughty already and he tries to bully Cherry a bit but he does take care of him when Cherry is sleeping.

What you call bullying is likely to be normal behaviour and not bullying at all. Chasing, mounting, teeth chattering are all normal behaviours and is not bullying. If a piggy was being bullied then you see them likely become withdrawn (more than just being scared of people), the dominant piggy will likely stop the submissive from going into hidey houses, may prevent the submissive from eating which will result in weight loss in the submissive piggy. The chasing and humping goes beyond normal dominance - it becomes relentless so the submissive cannot eat or sleep. Etc. It is important to not confuse normal dominance with actual bullying as it can cause you to panic, step in and disrupt a functioning bond.

What are the behaviours you are referring to a bullying?

 

[Cherry Berry]

I

What you call bullying is likely to be normal behaviour and not bullying at all.
What are the behaviours you are referring to a bullying?

Like trying to sit on Cherry and cuddle him. But Cherry doesn't like it.

 

[Cherry Berry]

I

What you call bullying is likely to be normal behaviour and not bullying at all.
What are the behaviours you are referring to a bullying?

Like trying to sit on Cherry and cuddle him. But Cherry doesn't like it.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Okay, cool then. I will keep an eye during that period. Thanks a lot. I was just wanted to confirm as Berry is a bit naughty already and he tries to bully Cherry a bit but he does take care of him when Cherry is sleeping. I didn't wanted to separate them either but didn't wanted to risk. How did you handle your Guinea Pig teenage?

My boys got through the teens fine, I didn’t do anything other than observe and follow the advice I have given you above - ie big cage, handle dominant first, multiple of every item. My boys like each other and wanted to be together so with their teens came bickering but not excessive.

 

[Cherry Berry]

What you call bullying is likely to be normal behaviour and not bullying at all. Chasing, mounting, teeth chattering are all normal behaviours and is not bullying. If a piggy was being bullied then you see them likely become withdrawn (more than just being scared of people), the dominant piggy will likely stop the submissive from going into hidey houses, may prevent the submissive from eating which will result in weight loss in the submissive piggy. The chasing and humping goes beyond normal dominance - it becomes relentless so the submissive cannot eat or sleep. Etc. It is important to not confuse normal dominance with actual bullying as it can cause you to panic, step in and disrupt a functioning bond.

What are the behaviours you are referring to a bullying?

Okay, by your posts looks like things are normal. I thought it as bullying. I was stressing as this is my first time lol

 

[Cherry Berry]

My boys got through the teens fine, I didn’t do anything other than observe and follow the advice I have given you above - ie big cage, handle dominant first, multiple of every item. My boys like each other and wanted to be together so with their teens came bickering but not excessive.

Awesome, thanks a lot. ❤ I will keep an eye.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I

Like trying to sit on Cherry and cuddle him. But Cherry doesn't like it.

Okay, by your posts looks like things are normal. I thought it as bullying. I was stressing as this is my first time lol

That’s fine, we all had to learn at some time and we still continue to learn long into having piggies!

That is perfectly normal and is not bullying. If you have only just brought them home, then they will be looking to each other for comfort and security. It’s nothing to worry about.
Do bear in mind that if the piggy underneath (the one being mounted) squeals, then it is not because he doesn’t like it, it is their way of saying that he accepts the other piggy is boss. It’s submission and that is a good thing. If what you need to happen for them to have a good relationship - one needs to be dominant and the other needs to be submissive

 

[Cherry Berry]

That’s fine, we all had to learn at some time and we still continue to learn long into having piggies!

That is perfectly normal and is not bullying. If you have only just brought them home, then they will be looking to each other for comfort and security. It’s nothing to worry about.
Do bear in mind that if the piggy underneath (the one being mounted) squeals, then it is not because he doesn’t like it, it is their way of saying that he accepts the other piggy is boss. It’s submission and that is a good thing. If what you need to happen for them to have a good relationship - one needs to be dominant and the other needs to be submissive

Cool, thanks a lot. I really appreciate it.

 

[Siikibam]

Mounting and humping is all very normal dominance behaviour. Also bear in mind that you hen they move to new housing, the dominance behaviour can ramp up a little as they re-establish the hierarchy in their new surroundings. This can go on for up to two weeks.

Be prepared for (potentially) even more...energetic chasing, teeth chattering, mounting and humping. As long as one piggy squeals in submission then it should be ok. as an example, the first time our dominant big had a hormone spike I was very worried. But his friend was submissive and let him do what he had to do. It lasted at least an hour before calming down. And I found a misplaced injury on the dominant piggy. I think that’s what brought that ‘session’ to a halt. It happened again a while later, again during their teen months. Forewarned is forearmed

 

[Cherry Berry]

Mounting and humping is all very normal dominance behaviour. Also bear in mind that you hen they move to new housing, the dominance behaviour can ramp up a little as they re-establish the hierarchy in their new surroundings. This can go on for up to two weeks.

Be prepared for (potentially) even more...energetic chasing, teeth chattering, mounting and humping. As long as one piggy squeals in submission then it should be ok. as an example, the first time our dominant big had a hormone spike I was very worried. But his friend was submissive and let him do what he had to do. It lasted at least an hour before calming down. And I found a misplaced injury on the dominant piggy. I think that’s what brought that ‘session’ to a halt. It happened again a while later, again during their teen months. Forewarned is forearmed

Cool thanks a lot. My only fear was them trying to kill each other as that's what happened in the case of my colleague's guinea pig. But as I mentioned earlier, although Berry chases Cherry and tries to sit on him. He doesn't disturb him while sleeping. I read that guinea pigs won't sleep in a new place, however, the first night when they were home, Cherry slept cuddling Berry while Berry was looking after the surroundings outside their hidey house. They have done this multiple times. I assume that this a sign of trust they have on each other.

Berry is a bit brave like while I am spot cleaning he does try to come near my hand while Cherry imitates whatever Berry is doing. I have got them one more water bottle. As of now, there is only one cosy bed in the cage but it is huge for them as they are babies and they love cuddling and sleeping in it. Once they get a bit bigger, I will add one more cosy item. All the hidey houses have two exists. They are settling well. They are showing up now when I clean the cage, top-up their hay, change water bottles etc.

 

[Siikibam]

If there was to be a fight you would know it. Your colleagues guinea pigs fought because they didn’t get on. And if they were ill informed they may have not intervened in time or left them together thinking they’d work it out. I don’t know the circumstances but that’s a sad thing for them and the piggy.
And piggies sleep with their eyes open so he may be sleeping without you realising it.

 

[Cherry Berry]

If there was to be a fight you would know it. Your colleagues guinea pigs fought because they didn’t get on. And if they were ill informed they may have not intervened in time or left them together thinking they’d work it out. I don’t know the circumstances but that’s a sad thing for them and the piggy.
And piggies sleep with their eyes open so he may be sleeping without you realising it.

Yeah, it could be in case of my colleague as the dominant piggie had to be kept alone life long. That's really sad. I know that Guinea Pigs sleep with eyes open but Berry was munching hay while Cherry was sleeping cuddling him. So I assume he was awake.

 

[Piggiewheekwheek]

I have 2 boars which I sadly had to seperate because one was bullying the other,the bullied one was very withdrawn not coming out of his bed,and when he did the dominant one would chase him,chattering his teeth and pulling his fur out.
I now have the dominant piggie on his own which he seems to be quite happy about lol
And the submissive piggie now has a new baby boar companion and they seem to like each other.
If your pair fall out you will definitely know about it and you will know in your gut when or if you ever need to seperate them.hopefully it will not come to that.

 

[Siikibam]

Yeah, it could be in case of my colleague as the dominant piggie had to be kept alone life long. That's really sad. I know that Guinea Pigs sleep with eyes open but Berry was munching hay while Cherry was sleeping cuddling him. So I assume he was awake.

It’s not fair that they kept the piggy alone. It’s about character compatibility and he just hadn’t found the right friend for him.

How old are your boys?

 

[Sweet Potato]

if your piggies didn't get on you'd know about it but as with humans no matter how much I love my family I will occasionally snap when someone leaves their pants on the bathroom floor or hair in the sink. We all have things that get on our nerves and sometimes we're just not in the mood for cuddling or are just a bit busy for dealing with people right now. It doesn't mean that we don't love each other. What I'm trying to say is we don't expect humans to get on 24/7 so we shouldn't expect that from our piggies as long as these disagreements don't become violent and both piggies are generally happy.

 

[Cherry Berry]

It’s not fair that they kept the piggy alone. It’s about character compatibility and he just hadn’t found the right friend for him.

How old are your boys?

My colleague's guinea pig was an odd one. He wouldn't even tolerate another guinea pig for a play date regardless of the gender.

My boys are 8 to 12 weeks old. They both are cagemates since a long time.

 

[Cherry Berry]

I have 2 boars which I sadly had to seperate because one was bullying the other,the bullied one was very withdrawn not coming out of his bed,and when he did the dominant one would chase him,chattering his teeth and pulling his fur out.
I now have the dominant piggie on his own which he seems to be quite happy about lol
And the submissive piggie now has a new baby boar companion and they seem to like each other.
If your pair fall out you will definitely know about it and you will know in your gut when or if you ever need to seperate them.hopefully it will not come to that.

Thanks. I will keep an eye.

 

[Piggiedad0825]

Piggie boys are just like human brothers. They love each other but have arguments at times. I have 2 boys that have been together since birth (1 1/2 years now). They annoy each other and teeth chatter but never fight. As long as there isn't a fight (gash taken out leading to dripping blood) they are good. I know it can seem scary but that's how piggies resolve disagreements. You might even see nose punching. Sounds like your boys are just being boys.

 

[Siikibam]

My colleague's guinea pig was an odd one. He wouldn't even tolerate another guinea pig for a play date regardless of the gender.

My boys are 8 to 12 weeks old. They both are cagemates since a long time.

Piggies don’t do play dates. It’s stressful for them as each time they’re out together again, they have to start the hierarchy dance again.

 

[Cherry Berry]

Piggies don’t do play dates. It’s stressful for them as each time they’re out together again, they have to start the hierarchy dance again.

Ahh, looks my colleague was misinformed. That's why sadly the piggie was left alone

 

[Cherry Berry]

I have a ramp and a first floor in the cage like the C&C one. The boys have not discovered it yet could it lead to any potential problems in their relationship?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I have a ramp and a first floor in the cage like the C&C one. The boys have not discovered it yet could it lead to any potential problems in their relationship?

No it won’t cause problems. They need ground space to get away from each other and I know your cage is big enough so that is a good thing. Upper loft spaces are simply bonus spaces, many people never add them to cages (I don’t have one).

The only thing that can influence their relationship is them - they have to like each other and want to be together. While you can minimise areas for tensions such as giving a big cage, handling dominant first and ensuring lots of hides and two food bowls etc, ultimately nothing you do will make an impact. If piggies like each other and want to be together then there won’t be problems in their relationship. If they decide they don’t like each other, then there is nothing you can do to change that.

 

[Cherry Berry]

No it won’t cause problems. They need ground space to get away from each other and I know your cage is big enough so that is a good thing. Upper loft spaces are simply bonus spaces, many people never add them to cages (I don’t have one).

The only thing that can influence their relationship is them - they have to like each other and want to be together. While you can minimise areas for tensions such as giving a big cage, handling dominant first and ensuring lots of hides and two food bowls etc, ultimately nothing you do will make an impact. If piggies like each other and want to be together then there won’t be problems in their relationship. If they decide they don’t like each other, then there is nothing you can do to change that.

Awesome thanks. I just wanted to ensure if I am in the right direction.