Back in the beginning of November I got 4 guinea pigs. One was from someone off of Craigslist, his name was Sammy. I got 3 others from a rescue, their names were Bram, Candy Corn, and Mr. Clean. All males. Within the first week and a half, Sammy died. We later learned that Sammy wasn't 2 years old, but he was 5, which made sense to me. I've had guinea pigs before and I understand their life span. I have a pretty big cage (4ft long) so I thought I would introduce all 3 remaining pigs together. Btw, Mr. Clean and Candy Corn were living together after recently being introduced at the recuse. Same with Bram and Sammy. We had to bring Sammy into the place to get them introduced and it worked out well. Well, I tried the introduction, and it didn't work out. Bram (who is young&small), was being kind of attacked by the other two, and I didn't know what to do so I just removed him. I realize now that I didn't do it in a neutral location, which would have maybe made it go smoother. So I kept Bram by himself and Candy Corn and Mr. Clean together until this morning, when Candy Corn died. I noticed him not eating last night and didn't think anything of it. I also saw that he was being humped by Mr. Clean and looked shaken up, I know that it's just a natural thing they do but I was wondering if that had anything to do with his death. So now I have two cages, with one pig in each. Mr. Clean is older than Bram and (I can assume) was the dominant pig when Candy Corn was alive. I don't want to leave them alone for the rest of their lives in separate cages, and I also don't want to worry about cleaning two cages. But I'm also afraid that Bram will be taken advantage of/attacked by Mr. Clean, and I don't want him to live like that. What should I do?
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2 Out Of 4 Pigs Died In The Last Two Months...help!
- Thread starter allie30
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DM030819
Pigs are social creatures and live in a hierarchical group. What can happen is that if a pig who is higher up in the hierarchy is showing signs of illness another might take advantage and start to hump or fight them, to try to take their position.
So, Mr Clean didn't cause Candy Corn to die, but he did see that he was ill/dying and so wanted to take his position.
I've seen it happen a few times with my pigs. I had a trio live happily together but as soon as one showed signs of illness (he had a bladder stone) one of the others started to attack him.
It also happened with one of my boar pairs. One had a nasty eye infection and later died during surgery and his normally happy cagemate really had a go at him.
Pigs are happier together so I think you should still try to bond them.
So, Mr Clean didn't cause Candy Corn to die, but he did see that he was ill/dying and so wanted to take his position.
I've seen it happen a few times with my pigs. I had a trio live happily together but as soon as one showed signs of illness (he had a bladder stone) one of the others started to attack him.
It also happened with one of my boar pairs. One had a nasty eye infection and later died during surgery and his normally happy cagemate really had a go at him.
Pigs are happier together so I think you should still try to bond them.
worried val of york
Forum Donator 2023/24
Sorry about your loss. Have you contacted the rescue for any advice about caring for the guinea pigs?
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I am very sorry for your losses. Unfortunately when rehoming through free-ads all the risks are on your side. People can be amazingly econimic with the truth when it Comes to getting rid of unwanted pets.
Please be Aware that you cannot just introduce Guinea pigs, and that they do not necessarily take to each other. They are very much like People - they need the company, but they do not like everypig. However, their society and their social behaviour follows very different rules. After Initial acceptance, there is a dominance Phase in which a hierarchy is established. Guinea pigs identify themselves firstly through belonging to a Group with a clear leader.
Please take the time to read through These links here to understand better what is going on:
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Lots more interesting and helpful Information via this link here: " Starter Kit" Of Information Threads For New Owners
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I spoke on the phone with someone who works at the rescue today, and she told me that it may have just been the excitement of the holidays (we had a lot of people over) that could have overstimulated him. Or he could have had to many carrots; we had small children over who kept feeding him and wouldnt stop. In regards to the two remaining pigs, I attempted to introduce them today and it didn't go very well. There was a lot of squealing and chasing and Bram looked really scared. After I talked to the woman from the rescue she said that it was normal, and that I should do whatever makes me feel comfortable. They are both in separate cages now, but the cages are next to each other so they can see each other, and there's constant traffic in and out of the room so it's not like they're always alone.
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