Warring girl piggies - advice

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debbiepiggies

Junior Guinea Pig
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Aug 26, 2026
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Location
Northampton
Hi. I’ve had my two female piggies for just over a year. They’ve never bonded as firm friends but have been fine together up to now. In the last couple of weeks, one has been chasing the other relentlessly and now it’s gotten to the point where the more timid piggy is so terrified she’s started leaping out of the enclosure - I have a lowered front that they like to put their paws on and lean over to let me know it’s dinner/snack time/ or just to say ‘Hi’, but have never tried to get out.

I haven’t wanted to box the timid and scared one in, but she’s lept out twice now and I was worried about her hurting herself so I separated them for the evening.

They are both fine. Eating and sleeping now - although the boys next door are a bit concerned about all the kerfuffle!

Does anyone have any advice on whether this sounds like they’re never going to get on? I’m not sure they’ve ever really bonded but I really don’t like the thought of them both living separately without a friend!
 
debbiepiggies said:
Hi. I’ve had my two female piggies for just over a year. They’ve never bonded as firm friends but have been fine together up to now. In the last couple of weeks, one has been chasing the other relentlessly and now it’s gotten to the point where the more timid piggy is so terrified she’s started leaping out of the enclosure - I have a lowered front that they like to put their paws on and lean over to let me know it’s dinner/snack time/ or just to say ‘Hi’, but have never tried to get out.

I haven’t wanted to box the timid and scared one in, but she’s lept out twice now and I was worried about her hurting herself so I separated them for the evening.

They are both fine. Eating and sleeping now - although the boys next door are a bit concerned about all the kerfuffle!

Does anyone have any advice on whether this sounds like they’re never going to get on? I’m not sure they’ve ever really bonded but I really don’t like the thought of them both living separately without a friend!
Click to expand...
PS. I’ve had females before who took a bit of time to bond, but nothing like this
 
Welcome to the forum.
Sorry I don’t have enough experience on bonding issues but if one of your girls is that bullied you have done the best thing in separating them.
If they both seem happier now they may need to live side by side permanently.
However, one of the experts will be able to give you better guidance
 
debbiepiggies said:
Hi. I’ve had my two female piggies for just over a year. They’ve never bonded as firm friends but have been fine together up to now. In the last couple of weeks, one has been chasing the other relentlessly and now it’s gotten to the point where the more timid piggy is so terrified she’s started leaping out of the enclosure - I have a lowered front that they like to put their paws on and lean over to let me know it’s dinner/snack time/ or just to say ‘Hi’, but have never tried to get out.

I haven’t wanted to box the timid and scared one in, but she’s lept out twice now and I was worried about her hurting herself so I separated them for the evening.

They are both fine. Eating and sleeping now - although the boys next door are a bit concerned about all the kerfuffle!

Does anyone have any advice on whether this sounds like they’re never going to get on? I’m not sure they’ve ever really bonded but I really don’t like the thought of them both living separately without a friend!
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

Please keep them with a divider and have the chasing one checked for potential ovarian cysts.
Once sows have made up their mind that they do not fit, unfortunately, they won't go back together. :(

PS: As you are in Northampton, the Cat & Rabbit Care Clinic are the place we recommend the most to guinea pig owners in this country. Guinea pigs make about a third of the pets they are seeing.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome

Please keep them with a divider and have the chasing one checked for potential ovarian cysts.
Once sows have made up their mind that they do not fit, unfortunately, they won't go back together. :(

PS: As you are in Northampton, the Cat & Rabbit Care Clinic are the place we recommend the most to guinea pig owners in this country. Guinea pigs make about a third of the pets they are seeing.
Click to expand...
Thanks. They’re in separate cages next to each other at the moment, which the aggressor isn’t happy about but the timid one seems happy.

I am in Northampton and know the Cat and Rabbit clinic well - the best guinea pig vet in the UK x
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome

Please keep them with a divider and have the chasing one checked for potential ovarian cysts.
Once sows have made up their mind that they do not fit, unfortunately, they won't go back together. :(

PS: As you are in Northampton, the Cat & Rabbit Care Clinic are the place we recommend the most to guinea pig owners in this country. Guinea pigs make about a third of the pets they are seeing.
Click to expand...
And thank you for the advice x
 
debbiepiggies said:
And thank you for the advice x
Click to expand...
We've had other members from Northampton, who didn't know about the Cat and Rabbit. As you are a newly registered member, I wanted to make sure that you are aware.

When a potentially bullied piggy perks out noticeably when away from a companion, then you are sadly dealing with a dysfunctional bond. It is the reaction from the chased piggy that is the crucial part, not the bully's. The latter are never happy with a separation.

Please look for long term solutions that don't involve the two girls going back together again. Sows can and do fall out; it is just less common and not as well known. I am very sorry for the bad news.

We are happy to discuss the pros and cons for various possible options with you.
 
Wiebke said:
We've had other members from Northampton, who didn't know about the Cat and Rabbit. As you are a newly registered member, I wanted to make sure that you are aware.

When a potentially bullied piggy perks out noticeably when away from a companion, then you are sadly dealing with a dysfunctional bond. It is the reaction from the chased piggy that is the crucial part, not the bully's. The latter are never happy with a separation.

Please look for long term solutions that don't involve the two girls going back together again. Sows can and do fall out; it is just less common and not as well known. I am very sorry for the bad news.

We are happy to discuss the pros and cons for various possible options with you.
Click to expand...
I heard that there are rescue centres that will see if they can bond lone girlies with one of their rescues. I’d be happy to see if I can find them a new pal this way, and a friend has offered to take one of them - with a new bonded sow. I am a bit tight for space or I’d happily have had six (I have two happy boys too).
 
I also thought about getting a Perspex multi story built - with a separate floor for them each, but that breaks my heart as I don’t want them to live alone - albeit they can still chat away to the boys next door.
 
How old are your boys and would you consider having them neutered, split and living with a sow each if you can only accommodate two pairs?
 
Wiebke said:
How old are your boys and would you consider having them neutered, split and living with a sow each if you can only accommodate two pairs?
Click to expand...
They’re just over a year old. I have considered that, but was worried about putting them through an op and then them still not bonding with one girl or the other. One of their boys leans over and gives kisses to ‘both’ girls across the Perspex (don’t worry, he can’t get over there to do anything more than kisses) x
 
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