Unsteady bond

G

GlimmerandGreta

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hello I’ve had my two pigs for 9 months they’ve both been living together for the same amount of time also. I got them together and they are siblings but not from the same litter. To my knowledge they shared a cage before I had them and therefore I felt it okay to have them live together straight away. However, although all other aspects of owning my pigs have been great I am still concerned by their bond.
The non dominant pig seems to be always uncomfortable with my other pigs presence, constantly letting out a submission squeal, with the dominant pig still showing dominance behaviours. They have never drew blood which I know in that case you must separate immediately, they just seem to be tolerating each other and not truly bonded.
I am now at that stage where I’m wondering whether I should separate them permanently and try to find another pig for each.
Pls help I’m really not sure what to do anymore!
 
It is normal for the dominant to continue to show dominance but it can also be because the dominant is insecure in her position.
The fact there is submission is a good sign.

The only time you need to get concerned is if the behaviour has tipped over into bullying. I’ve added some guides below to help you spot those signs.
Unfortunately bullying can be a bit harder to spot in sows (boars will often have an outright fight with blood drawn but that is much less likely to happen in sows).

Is your submissive pig maintaining her weight?
Do all your hides have two exits?

Bonds In Trouble
 
All my hides have two exits and my submissive sow is maintaining weighting and although the dominant pig will take food from her (which she allows) she can eat near & next to usually with no problem
 
Ok that’s good. Taking food from each other is entirely normal.

Give the guide a read and see if you are seeing any of the concerning behaviours. If so then they may warrant a temporary separation for a few days with a neutral territory reintroduction to allow them to decide if they want to be together.
 
is the dominate piggy constantly intimidating her out of spaces and generally causing the submissive piggy anxiety enough to warrant a trial separation?
 
Okay thank you for letting me know!
They have a vets appointment tomorrow and then once resettled I’ll attempt a trial separation
 
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