Two guinea pigs not really liking each other much?

[CiaraPatricia]

Hi guys. I was just wondering about my two girl pigs. They are friends, and will eat together and follow each other around. But Lola can be very bossy and she's decided the sleeping area of the hutch is hers, and will chase Sukie out sometimes and block the doorway! Sometimes Sukie is out in the open area of the hutch, though she seems quite happy and will be lying down relaxed there. I put a little house into that part, but she didn't go in it.

I know it's normal for one guinea pig to be the dominant one. But yesterday I had the baby rabbits in a run near to Sukie and Lola (they're about the same size as the girl guinea pigs) and Sukie was mad to get through to them. So I think she'd like more friends, maybe 2 babies or 2 older ones if I hear on any in rescue (a small chance here).

What do you think? Does she need more friends who aren't as bossy? I get the feeling that guinea pigs would be happiest in groups, more than pairs, and that maybe Sukie would be better friends with another one than she is with Lola. My boys are really happy in their trio now, even more than when they were just a pair, and when Devlin (a girl pig) was still alive, the girls were all happy together.

Lola is a lovely pig, but so bossy!

 

[Wiebke]

You can try to add some more as long as you are aware that you can still end up with a situation that is still 3+1 or 2+1+1.

Piggy groups depend very much on the mix of characters; being an outsider does not necessarily mean that a piggy is unhappy or NOT a vital part of the group - that is one lesson I have learned from my tribe!

 

[Romily]

In our herd (10) the friendships change over time but they are all happy in their own way.

 

[Wiebke]

Same here - I have three individualists (lazy Nerys, shy Cariad and explorer Ffion), but they are still full part of the tribe.

I have noticed that most girls often hang out with others that are of a similar rank in the hierarchy apart from still keeping their bond alive.

 

[skrikopanik]

My three are a family, but they don't seem overly friendly. They never snuggle together except for when they are in mortal danger (read: in their carrier), but they interact in their own ways.

Piggies don't seem to mind hierarchy, having a boss makes them feel safe. Mine, hillariously enough, seem to rotate the "boss badge".

 

[CiaraPatricia]

Thanks, I think I will try two more ones so. That way, there is at least more chance that they will have friends. Sukie seems to want friends more than Lola does, so if it ends up with Sukie having 2 friends and Lola being an outsider, then I think it's ok. It'll be just more company for all of them anyway