Worried about my boars

JEFF&JOJO

JEFF&JOJO

Junior Guinea Pig
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I’ve posted before about my boars and bonding. We rescued a boar about 7 weeks ago after our other piggie died. Things have been going okay I think, but I am constantly worried. I think the boys just get on but don’t think they seem to like each other that much? My original piggie Jeffie seems to like the rescue Piggie Cookie, but Cookie does seem to boss him and sometimes I think Cookie is being aggressive towards Jeffie for no real reason and it seems kinda nasty? It always scares me a bit and Jeffie seems to be constantly squeaking in submission? I’m assuming? I just always feel bad and worried they aren’t happy and that I’ve given Jeffie a not so friendly friend and that I’ve made a mistake. But he does always seem happy enough popcorning and stuff. I’m just always worrying Cookie is going to hurt him. I am maybe overreacting but can’t help it. I just can’t even enjoy them I worry so much and think it’s rubbing off on the kids too! I worry at night, I worry when I’m at work and in the next room! Can anyone put my mind at ease? My goodness I’ve had so many different animals in the past and this has given me the most stress! Thanks so much ☹️☹️
 
I wish I could give advice, but my two piggies are separated since they didn't get along... I hope an expert will be able to ease your mind! You must be very stressed :(
 
squeaksandcarrots said:
I wish I could give advice, but my two piggies are separated since they didn't get along... I hope an expert will be able to ease your mind! You must be very stressed :(
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Oh no I’m so sorry ☹️ But thanks for replying x
 
JEFF&JOJO said:
I’ve posted before about my boars and bonding. We rescued a boar about 7 weeks ago after our other piggie died. Things have been going okay I think, but I am constantly worried. I think the boys just get on but don’t think they seem to like each other that much? My original piggie Jeffie seems to like the rescue Piggie Cookie, but Cookie does seem to boss him and sometimes I think Cookie is being aggressive towards Jeffie for no real reason and it seems kinda nasty? It always scares me a bit and Jeffie seems to be constantly squeaking in submission? I’m assuming? I just always feel bad and worried they aren’t happy and that I’ve given Jeffie a not so friendly friend and that I’ve made a mistake. But he does always seem happy enough popcorning and stuff. I’m just always worrying Cookie is going to hurt him. I am maybe overreacting but can’t help it. I just can’t even enjoy them I worry so much and think it’s rubbing off on the kids too! I worry at night, I worry when I’m at work and in the next room! Can anyone put my mind at ease? My goodness I’ve had so many different animals in the past and this has given me the most stress! Thanks so much ☹️☹️
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Hi! Please give your boys time to work out their relationship throughout the dominance phase, which is lasting around 2 weeks. It is not a nice stage, but it is going in the right direction as Jeff is happy with his new even though he is not coming out on top. Unlike humans, guinea pigs have to spell everything out in large print and can't get by with just a discrete wink. The dominance throwing one's weight around will stop once Cookie is comfortable with his new position. He is not going to hurt Jeff at any stage because dominance behaviours are a very carefully judged, but pain-free display of power that is looking worse than it actually is. Unlike you, your piggies know the rules instinctively and see it as what it is. ;)

Please take a deep breath, sit back and let them get on with it!
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
 
Wiebke said:
Hi! Please give your boys time to work out their relationship throughout the dominance phase, which is lasting around 2 weeks. It is not a nice stage, but it is going in the right direction as Jeff is happy with his new even though he is not coming out on top. Unlike humans, guinea pigs have to spell everything out in large print and can't get by with just a discrete wink. The dominance throwing one's weight around will stop once Cookie is comfortable with his new position. He is not going to hurt Jeff at any stage because dominance behaviours are a very carefully judged, but pain-free display of power that is looking worse than it actually is. Unlike you, your piggies know the rules instinctively and see it as what it is. ;)

Please take a deep breath, sit back and let them get on with it!
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
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Thank you so much, you have really helped ease my mind. They do seem happy enough, they are probably just being boys and I’m not used to it! I definitely worry too much I think! And they are still young, 1 and 1.5. Really appreciate your response, thank you!
 
Merab's Slave said:
Guinea pig bonding seems designed to add years to a slave's life.
You are not the only one who has found that forum support eases the mind wonderfully
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Omg I know! So glad I’m not the only one! Don’t know what I’d do without this forum and all the great people on here who offer advice and support!
 
If your boy is popcorning around with his “friend” I don’t think you need to worry too much. Boar dominance is fine for them but a little worrying for us hoomans. My two are fine, they are nearly 4 years old and rub along fine. They have had a few spats when younger but no blood ever drawn, change of cage once and stealing food from the other can be a flash point. Try not to worry too much and enjoy your piggies x
 
I agree. What you see as aggressive - and you haven’t said exactly what the ‘aggressive’ behaviour is - is probably just normal for them.
My two boars have their moments (they are teenagers though). They remind me of my own children. They are fine to be in the same house together but will moan at each other if in the same room ‘muuuum, she’s looking at me’ kind of thing, but come dinner time it’s all friendly and nice!
 
Piggies&buns said:
I agree. What you see as aggressive - and you haven’t said exactly what the ‘aggressive’ behaviour is - is probably just normal for them.
My two boars have their moments (they are teenagers though). They remind me of my own children. They are fine to be in the same house together but will moan at each other if in the same room ‘muuuum, she’s looking at me’ kind of thing, but come dinner time it’s all friendly and nice!
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Thank you. By aggressive I suppose I mean a bit of chasing/cornering and teeth chattering. But Jeffie usually just runs away or freezes and squeaks a lot so I’m taking this as showing that he’s submissive. And usually it’s around times when I clean the cage in the evening or put new bedding/blankets in! So I suppose that makes sense. They eat happily side by side and there’s definitely plenty of popcorning from both. I think I’m possibly reading some behaviours as aggressive and maybe it’s just normal boar behaviour. They seem particularly boisterous in the evenings for some reason. There’s never been any injuries or fighting that I have witnessed anyway. Thanks so much for the response.
 
Bill & Ted said:
If your boy is popcorning around with his “friend” I don’t think you need to worry too much. Boar dominance is fine for them but a little worrying for us hoomans. My two are fine, they are nearly 4 years old and rub along fine. They have had a few spats when younger but no blood ever drawn, change of cage once and stealing food from the other can be a flash point. Try not to worry too much and enjoy your piggies x
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Thank you! Yes, the boisterous behaviour is usually when I change something in the cage funnily enough! And mostly in the evenings! Hopefully I’m reading it wrong and overreacting!
 
That sounds like normal dominance behaviour. Just ensure there is always a way out for Jeffie ie no closed boxes etc. It will hopefully calm down once they’ve been together longer.
 
Piggies&buns said:
That sounds like normal dominance behaviour. Just ensure there is always a way out for Jeffie ie no closed boxes etc. It will hopefully calm down once they’ve been together longer.
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Thank you! Yes I have only open ended hideys! I’m hoping they settle a bit more soon for my own sanity! First thing in the morning is lovely as they go mad popcorning as they know they are getting their breakfast! That always cheers me up before work!
 
Reenie said:
It does sound fairly normal. It's really hard not to see Guinea pig behavior in human terms, but what would be bullying or cruel in human terms is ok for piggies - in fact it's a necessary part of their relationship. :nod:
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Yes thank you so much. All these comments are helping ease my mind a little. I mean Jeffie is definitely a lot happier since he got his new cage mate so I guess that’s good. I guess I’m just a bit overprotective of Jeffie after losing our other guy 💔
 
My guinea pigs have been fighting and at one point shedded blood. Separate them if they shed blood or bite each other.
 
It’s me again! Feel like I’m never done asking for advice. As you know if you have read my other threads (and for those who have thanks so much, the advice has been greatly appreciated) I have recently bonded 2 boars after my Joey died. They are 1 and 1.5. All has been going okay but I do worry about their behaviour sometimes. They have never had a fight to my knowledge and they have never had any visible injuries. Tonight they have been teeth chattering ALOT. They seem to do this most evenings! They go behind the hideys down to one end of the cage and just constantly teeth chatter and squeak for what seems like no reason! It’s not as if they are fighting over food or anything. My daughter and I have been up and down constantly tonight trying to distract them when they are doing it. And I’m afraid to leave the room. They calm down for a while and act like normal and seem happy and then it seems to start up again! I don’t know what to do! Surely this much teeth chattering isn’t right?
 
I feel like I need to separate them! It’s getting so loud! I’m worried! ☹️🤢 Though one of them just popcorned in the middle of it?! I’m so confused 😮
 
you could probably just put a divider in for an hour to let them calm down.is there anything that seems to be irritating them?maybe check there skin for anything itchy,both are not in pain.otherwise ensure you have two water bottles,bowls,hidies with two entrances so no pig can get blocked.your piggies are just into adulthood,so still have some hormones raging.the clacking of teeth is unnerving but still in the right side of dominace behaviours.i find if it is going to develop into a furball fight, the piggies start rearing up,circling,then bang !you will definantley know.just try to keep your cool ,you do not want to break the bond at this stage as no fighting has insued,seperate only for an hour,unless things esculate as above.
 
eileen said:
you could probably just put a divider in for an hour to let them calm down.is there anything that seems to be irritating them?maybe check there skin for anything itchy,both are not in pain.otherwise ensure you have two water bottles,bowls,hidies with two entrances so no pig can get blocked.your piggies are just into adulthood,so still have some hormones raging.the clacking of teeth is unnerving but still in the right side of dominace behaviours.i find if it is going to develop into a furball fight, the piggies start rearing up,circling,then bang !you will definantley know.just try to keep your cool ,you do not want to break the bond at this stage as no fighting has insued,seperate only for an hour,unless things esculate as above.
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Thank you. The piggies seem fine, no issues that I can tell. They seem to like to be at one end of the cage and then when they both go there they seem to stare at each other and teeth chatter but don’t seem to move really. It always seems to happen at this one end of the cage. It’s just so unnerving for me and I can’t seem to stop worrying. Finding it hard to cope with it all to be honest ☹️ thank you
 
ah,I'm sorry you are struggling.have you read the guides on boars and boar fallouts they are excellent. ive had more boars fight than get on !i neuter them and put them with wives as in the teenage years i find it much easier to bond with a sow if they are on the very dominant side,as alot of my boars are .x
 
Livia Rabideau said:
Is your cage big enough? Do they each have their own hidey, food, dish, and water bottle?
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I think I could definitely do with a bigger cage or getting another cage to add but I havent got much space. I have the Midwest cage. Would love to add another but that would be tricky. I know boars need more space. Thanks
 
eileen said:
ah,I'm sorry you are struggling.have you read the guides on boars and boar fallouts they are excellent. ive had more boars fight than get on !i neuter them and put them with wives as in the teenage years i find it much easier to bond with a sow if they are on the very dominant side,as alot of my boars are .x
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Thanks @eileen I’ve read the guides so many times 🤣 but I still find it hard to deal with the behaviour and know if it’s okay or not. Of course I’m always thinking the worst and worry about the boys constantly. Dont think I’m cut out for this 🤪
 
Livia Rabideau said:
My boys were in a Midwest and I switched to a c and c cage that gave them more room. They definitely get along better now.
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Yes I’ve been looking at the c&c cages today, just not sure where I could put one. Think it might be easier to add a second Midwest. Think it might fit better. Though is still very big! Not sure what is best. Thank you!
 
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