What does it mean?!

[Lazw]

Hi all,
Just a really quick question if anyone can shed any light on my piggies behaviour.....i have 2 lovely sows who have lived together for well over a year now, both are under 2 years of age and both are spayed. I've noticed that when they approach each other they will slow their movements almost as though they've frozen at times, then put their heads really close together and squint at each other?! What is that about, is it affectionate or some other sign of dominance?

They get on OK, I'm sure they're bonded (they look for each other then cry if I've taken one out for cuddles) and blood, fur etc has never been drawn. But they do like a good quarrel at times with lots of head lifting and occasional lunging and teeth chattering. But then they get over themselves and I'll find them sleeping almost next to each other the next minute.

So I guess I just want to know whether anyone knows what this weird eye squinting thing means, any ideas?!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,
Just a really quick question if anyone can shed any light on my piggies behaviour.....i have 2 lovely sows who have lived together for well over a year now, both are under 2 years of age and both are spayed. I've noticed that when they approach each other they will slow their movements almost as though they've frozen at times, then put their heads really close together and squint at each other?! What is that about, is it affectionate or some other sign of dominance?

They get on OK, I'm sure they're bonded (they look for each other then cry if I've taken one out for cuddles) and blood, fur etc has never been drawn. But they do like a good quarrel at times with lots of head lifting and occasional lunging and teeth chattering. But then they get over themselves and I'll find them sleeping almost next to each other the next minute.

So I guess I just want to know whether anyone knows what this weird eye squinting thing means, any ideas?!

Hi

Would it be possible for you to take a video and upload it on youtube on a public setting, so you can then copy it across (a video uploading facility would cost too much bandwidth, considering that we run entirely on voluntary member donations).

The rest of the behaviour is a bit on the fear-aggressive side so I assume that this - which doesn't ring any bells with me in the way you describe it - is likely in the same category. The problem with behaviours is that like taste in food, we all pick up on slightly different things and describe them differently so identifying them from a description is often a lot trickier than you would expect. It could be chinning or another dominance measuring up gesture.

The stiffness of the body usually conveys confidence or apprehension; it is generally more a modifier of the social key behaviour and has to be interpreted together with all the other subtle undercurrents. Guinea pigs can convey a lot more subtle information with their body than you'd expect.

A - Z of Guinea Pig Behaviours

 

[Lazw]

Thanks @Wiebke, I would describe my lovely but highly strung dominant piggy bramble as both fearful and aggressive with the other one so if it doesn't sound too concerning to you then I feel reassured! They're just not very affectionate towards each other at all-I think my under-pig would be if she could get close to bramble without her snapping at her! When they're out and about on the carpet exploring, all these behaviours diminish so I do think it's about dominance/not wanting to share anything with the other. Funny little creatures that they are! I will try and capture some of their quarrels on my phone and upload to YouTube and post a link like you said.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks @Wiebke, I would describe my lovely but highly strung dominant piggy bramble as both fearful and aggressive with the other one so if it doesn't sound too concerning to you then I feel reassured! They're just not very affectionate towards each other at all-I think my under-pig would be if she could get close to bramble without her snapping at her! When they're out and about on the carpet exploring, all these behaviours diminish so I do think it's about dominance/not wanting to share anything with the other. Funny little creatures that they are! I will try and capture some of their quarrels on my phone and upload to YouTube and post a link like you said.

It sounds very much like Bramble throwing her weight around. It should settle down in time. Just be patient. They ARE bonded; they are just working on their hierarchy and the shape of their relationship now.
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)