Adopting A Companion

[Laci]

Hey guys! I'm going on three years with my cuddle bug, Snowflake, and I'm finally financially prepared to take on a companion for her. However, I wanted some reassurance on my plans. When I got Snowflake, my younger sister also got a piggy of her own, Patches, and the two of them have always battled over dominance and nearly three years later, the battle seems to still be on going. They are housed in cages in separate rooms but do get play time together and typically do some short greetings before ignoring each other and exploring our ever-changing living room and cuddling with our pitbull (yes, always supervised but even so, our pit, Sasha, treats them like puppies and even cleans them. A video of their first meeting is embedded). Because of her dominant nature I plan to look for a particularly submissive, younger guinea pig to pair her with. I've read about quarantining the newbie for two weeks, but the best I can do is separate sides of the room in their own cages. They won't come in contact and I will be sure not touch them without washing my hands and arms first. They also won't see each other but will hear each other. Will that do? After that, I plan to place the cages within view of each other and give supervised playtime in the living room, then supervised time in a brand new cage that neither will have alone time in (to help avoid territorial issues) and eventually have them housed there after they've bonded. They will have their own igloos and depending on how bonding goes, possibly their own food bowls. Does this sound like a positive way to introduce my Snowflake to a newcomer?

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=486070761504450

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

Each time you put pigs together and separate them again, it removes any bond they might have built up, so the displays of dominance begin all over again, as they start the whole process each time. Displays of dominance are absolutely fine and completely natural behaviours, as piggies sort out who is top pig. As long as there are no signs of aggression - mild teeth chattering is to be expected, but anything beyond this is something to look out for, such as facing off and lunging.

If you are planning to rescue a pig, I would imagine the pig would have been up for rehoming for some time. If they have not shown signs of illness while at the rescue, then I would forego the quarantine period. Placing the cages within view of each other will do nothing to help form a bond. Piggies can only see about 2 feet in front of them clearly anyway. To bond successfully, you need to put the piggies together in the new cage - if they were to be going into the existing pig's accommodation, then by leaving this untouched, it can send the message to the new pig that the existing one is top pig. Once they are together, leave them together, unless there is a danger to either of the piggies. It will normally take 24-72 hours for a sense of a bond to be achieved and for behaviour to settle down, during this time, you will likely see chasing, rumble strutting, hear squeaking (a loud, repeated squeak from one pig indicates submission). It can be quicker than this - bonding two boars using the technique above took 20 minutes before they were snuggled up together!

 

[Laci]

Each time you put pigs together and separate them again, it removes any bond they might have built up, so the displays of dominance begin all over again, as they start the whole process each time. Displays of dominance are absolutely fine and completely natural behaviours, as piggies sort out who is top pig. As long as there are no signs of aggression - mild teeth chattering is to be expected, but anything beyond this is something to look out for, such as facing off and lunging.

If you are planning to rescue a pig, I would imagine the pig would have been up for rehoming for some time. If they have not shown signs of illness while at the rescue, then I would forego the quarantine period. Placing the cages within view of each other will do nothing to help form a bond. Piggies can only see about 2 feet in front of them clearly anyway. To bond successfully, you need to put the piggies together in the new cage - if they were to be going into the existing pig's accommodation, then by leaving this untouched, it can send the message to the new pig that the existing one is top pig. Once they are together, leave them together, unless there is a danger to either of the piggies. It will normally take 24-72 hours for a sense of a bond to be achieved and for behaviour to settle down, during this time, you will likely see chasing, rumble strutting, hear squeaking (a loud, repeated squeak from one pig indicates submission). It can be quicker than this - bonding two boars using the technique above took 20 minutes before they were snuggled up together!

My pig and my sisters have drawn blood from each other on a number occasions and are in constant chatter mode. That's partially why they aren't homed together. But its good to know that for a future pig. I am currently in contact with a rescue about a two month old female. I will consult them about any health concerns and and thoughts on a quarantine period for this particular pig. As for bonding, you suggest placing them directly into a cage together and keep them there? Or let them meet first in a larger space where they don't feel trapped and then transition them to the cage?

 

[PiggieHerd]

How big is your cage? I have 8 guinea pigs living together and I've never encountered a guinea pig that would prefer to live alone. How long did you do introduction? How big was the introduction cage?

In terms of Igloo...I would say "No" to having them. You want a house that has 2 entrances/exits so that they don't feel trapped when another guinea pig enter.

 

[Laci]

How big is your cage? I have 8 guinea pigs living together and I've never encountered a guinea pig that would prefer to live alone. How long did you do introduction? How big was the introduction cage?

In terms of Igloo...I would say "No" to having them. You want a house that has 2 entrances/exits so that they don't feel trapped when another guinea pig enter.

I have not yet adopted another guinea pig, but I am in contact with a rescue. The cage they will have will be a 30"x54" C&C cage. I fully understand that guinea pigs are heard animals which is why I want to be sure that the future introduction and bonding goes smoothly so they will be happy together. What do you suggest as for the best way to introduce them?

As for the igloo, thank you, good to know. However, my current piggy, Snowflake, can be particularly territorial. If my sister's piggy is placed in her cage, she will attack every time, and if not stopped, will draw blood. However, if Snowflake is placed in my sister's cage, she does not get territorial, as she knows it's not her space. Do you still suggest just one cage? or should the still have access to their own spaces?

 

[PiggieHerd]

what is a 30x54 C&C? is that a 2x4 C&C?

When I do introductions, I use a space that none of the guinea pigs have ever been before. Here is the latest video of an Introduction I did just a couple of weeks ago of my 8th guinea pig meeting the herd.

 

[Laci]

what is a 30x54 C&C? is that a 2x4 C&C?

When I do introductions, I use a space that none of the guinea pigs have ever been before. Here is the latest video of an Introduction I did just a couple of weeks ago of my 8th guinea pig meeting the herd.

That was definitely comforting to see. Especially since your Snowball resembles my Snowflake. I think my major question now is can the introduction space also be their cage? Neither will have ever been in the cage before since I am purchasing it for the both of them.

 

[PiggieHerd]

That was definitely comforting to see. Especially since your Snowball resembles my Snowflake. I think my major question now is can the introduction space also be their cage? Neither will have ever been in the cage before since I am purchasing it for the both of them.

How big is this cage?

 

[Laci]

How big is this cage?

Oops, sorry thought I answered that. Its a 2x4 size like you thought

 

[Freela]

When you put pigs for a 'play date' together without them being housed together, like your pig and your sister's pig, they have to start sorting out the hierarchy all over again. So once you begin introductions, unless there is blood shed it's best to let them run their course. It's good to let them meet in a neutral place where no one can be backed into a corner (the last time I did intros, I put towels on the floor of the bathtub and let them meet there!) If your pig seems particularly dominant, asking the rescue to recommend a submissive pig is a good idea. I had the experience of pairing up a very bossy pig whose companion had died with a newbie, and deliberately sought out a pig that was at the bottom of the hierarchy. They got along very well. My submissive pig has no desire at all to be the boss, when her older, bossy companion passed away she went right back to being subordinate to a tiny little newbie half her size! LOL! Best of luck with pairing them up!