Hello! I have two Guinea pig sisters who were born completely healthy, and that I later adopted. Their names are Alfie and Cleo. When I first got them they seemed to easily get along, as well as with my mother figure (not biological) pig, Juliet. I hadn’t noticed any kind of unfriendly aggression, and wasn’t expecting it since they had also got along fine before they came to me. Then one night I walked in on them full out fighting with each other. It was one big blur of Guinea pig. I grabbed them and noticed Cleo had been bitten and was bleeding by her nose, and both pigs had lost quite a bit of hair in the fight. After their mother figure pig, Juliet sadly passed away, I upgraded their cages but kept them separated. I expected them to eventually make up and was still shocked they fought in the first place, since they are both females and biological sisters (vet confirmed). But every time I bring them out for a playtime they continue to fight and I have to separate them. I partially combined their cages so that they are right next to each other, and removed the coroplast (plastic) so all that separates them on two floors of their cage is 1 thin C&C divider. They can sniff each other, and definitely see each other, but can back away if anyone tries to bite. I will continue to bring them out to see each other, even if it doesn’t last long before someone gets mad, and I will hope for the day they might end up getting along and I can combined their cages to make a palace lol. Does anyone have any advice or something I should be doing with them? It would absolutely crush me to have to give them away especially since individually I’ve gotten really close with them, I love them to death. But I still feel bad they don’t have someone to snuggle up with and happily play with. I cannot afford any more pigs and truly don’t have the space. Any advice helps and happy holidays!
Hello! By any chance, did Juliet have ovarian cysts? (Symptoms include crusty nipples, hair loss, aggression, and more)
Another question; have you tried bonding Alfie and Cleo in a large neutral territory (bathrooms tend to work, bond them like they've never met), with 3+ hides that have 2 doors? It's odd they didn't get along all of the sudden, it could either be one refuses to submit to the other, or something medical. Just to note, with guinea pigs, they have no concept of family, and your girls being sisters wouldn't make them automatically bond, especially after being seperated.
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Guinea Pig Mom 3
Thank you for the response! No, Juliet didn’t have any symptoms of cysts and vet checks around the time of the sisters adoption, as well as before she passed confirmed it. And yes, I have tried bonding them in a larger enclosure, though the bathtub sounds like a good idea. Last time I tried they met inside a 2 way hidey and began to fight inside, but I’m always open to trying again. I did get the sisters looked at by a vet after adopting them, but if they continue to fight a “check up” is not a bad idea at all to see if it might be medical. I’ve heard that sometimes they need to work it out, and taking a step back from minor fights can possibly solve disagreements and create a more dominant boss. But every time I try they both just won’t back down and I can’t stand there and watch them fight. I’ll continue to keep trying, thank you for your advice :)
1
Paula Kelly
Guinea pigs are usually social animals that can live happily in groups, but they may sometimes exhibit aggressive or territorial behavior towards other guinea pigs, especially if they are not spayed or neutered. There are several things you can try to help resolve the issue between these two:
Spay or neuter your guinea pigs: This can help reduce aggression and territorial behavior.
Provide enough space: Make sure your guinea pigs have enough space to live comfortably, with plenty of room to run and play.
If possible give each guinea pig separate living quarters: If your guinea pigs are housed together, try giving them each their own cage or enclosure to see if that helps reduce aggression.
Provide plenty of hiding spots and retreats: Guinea pigs feel more secure when they have places to hide, so make sure there are plenty of hiding spots available.
Keep the environment clean and stress-free: Make sure your guinea pigs have a clean, peaceful environment to live in.
It is important to remember that aggression in guinea pigs can be a sign of stress or discomfort, so it is important to carefully observe your guinea pigs and take steps to address any potential underlying issues. If the aggression persists or becomes severe, it is important to consult with a veterinarian or a guinea pig-savvy behaviorist for further guidance. Hope this helps and we are crossing our fingers for you that they are able to settle their differences.
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Topcatct
Hi
It's always a shame when they fight but being side to side will work. I have just had to split my boys as they were fighting and though no blood was drawn one was showing all the signs of depression and not coming out of his hidey. So now along with Oreo who was already on his own I have 3 single boys all happily alongside each other . They can touch, smell, see each other easily but can also get away.
1
Paula Kelly
Topcatct - This is a really great set up, especially for boys that don't get along! So glad you worked it out so everyone can live and let live and be happy! 💖
Comments
5 comments
Hello! By any chance, did Juliet have ovarian cysts? (Symptoms include crusty nipples, hair loss, aggression, and more)
Another question; have you tried bonding Alfie and Cleo in a large neutral territory (bathrooms tend to work, bond them like they've never met), with 3+ hides that have 2 doors? It's odd they didn't get along all of the sudden, it could either be one refuses to submit to the other, or something medical. Just to note, with guinea pigs, they have no concept of family, and your girls being sisters wouldn't make them automatically bond, especially after being seperated.
Thank you for the response! No, Juliet didn’t have any symptoms of cysts and vet checks around the time of the sisters adoption, as well as before she passed confirmed it. And yes, I have tried bonding them in a larger enclosure, though the bathtub sounds like a good idea. Last time I tried they met inside a 2 way hidey and began to fight inside, but I’m always open to trying again. I did get the sisters looked at by a vet after adopting them, but if they continue to fight a “check up” is not a bad idea at all to see if it might be medical. I’ve heard that sometimes they need to work it out, and taking a step back from minor fights can possibly solve disagreements and create a more dominant boss. But every time I try they both just won’t back down and I can’t stand there and watch them fight. I’ll continue to keep trying, thank you for your advice :)
Guinea pigs are usually social animals that can live happily in groups, but they may sometimes exhibit aggressive or territorial behavior towards other guinea pigs, especially if they are not spayed or neutered. There are several things you can try to help resolve the issue between these two:
It is important to remember that aggression in guinea pigs can be a sign of stress or discomfort, so it is important to carefully observe your guinea pigs and take steps to address any potential underlying issues. If the aggression persists or becomes severe, it is important to consult with a veterinarian or a guinea pig-savvy behaviorist for further guidance. Hope this helps and we are crossing our fingers for you that they are able to settle their differences.
Hi
It's always a shame when they fight but being side to side will work. I have just had to split my boys as they were fighting and though no blood was drawn one was showing all the signs of depression and not coming out of his hidey. So now along with Oreo who was already on his own I have 3 single boys all happily alongside each other . They can touch, smell, see each other easily but can also get away.
Topcatct - This is a really great set up, especially for boys that don't get along! So glad you worked it out so everyone can live and let live and be happy! 💖
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