KenspppPets
Junior Guinea Pig
I'm having a crisis of conscience and finding it hard to decide what is best for me and my pigs.
Initially, I bonded by two boars and they seemed very happy with each other. Archie the younger pig has established his dominance as the younger and the faster of the two. They spent a good few weeks living together in their 2 storey hutch, planning together in their pen, sharing food and having happy snuggle times on my lap and sofa.
I should mention at this point, the cage meets the size requirements for them, they have at least 2 or everything, often more (ie 3 food bowls, 2 bottles, 3 treats etc)
But now, in the last 10 days, things have turned upside down, with them both falling out and attacking each other and drawing blood. From observing them, it seems to me that Otto the older pig has decided that actually his age and size mean he should be in charge.
I’ve tried all the tips, they’ve had buddy baths, been separated (though they even managed to barge their way through the temporary floor in the top of the hutch in a bid to get to each other). Other than keeping them apart for a week or so and trying to rebond, I’ve done everything I’m able to (I don’t currently have space to keep them in separate cages) all the other advice on the forum has been invaluable.
I’ve reached an impasse where I feel I have a few choices.
1.Separate them both permanently, giving them both 1 floor of the 2 storey hutch (they have pretty much claimed a floor each anyway, except now Otto sits on the ramp to prevent Archie entering his territory)
2. Surrender one and consider neutering the remainder and finding a sow
Problem is, I feel terribly selfish if I were to give one up. I feel if I were putting the pigs first, I would bend over backwards to accommodate them. I would have loved to get them both a cage each and then maybe get them both girlfriends, but recently changes to my circumstances have put paid to this plan (my partner lost his job and we’ve been given 2 months’ notice to move out of our house).
However, I feel sad when I look at all the happy piggies on here that have a little herd of buddies and all play together and look so content. I don’t want having guinea pigs to be a difficulty, but I feel sad at the thought of not being able to handle them together and having to make sure they have separate time for cuddles. But if I’m being a good pet owner, should this be something I just accept I have to do? Would I be a bad person if I ‘swapped’ one boar for a sow for the sake of an easy life?
Sorry for the super long post, I’m just struggling to get over the guilt of it not working out and trying to decide what is best for the boys. The upheaval in my personal life doesn’t help much either! I don't know where to go from here?
Initially, I bonded by two boars and they seemed very happy with each other. Archie the younger pig has established his dominance as the younger and the faster of the two. They spent a good few weeks living together in their 2 storey hutch, planning together in their pen, sharing food and having happy snuggle times on my lap and sofa.
I should mention at this point, the cage meets the size requirements for them, they have at least 2 or everything, often more (ie 3 food bowls, 2 bottles, 3 treats etc)
But now, in the last 10 days, things have turned upside down, with them both falling out and attacking each other and drawing blood. From observing them, it seems to me that Otto the older pig has decided that actually his age and size mean he should be in charge.
I’ve tried all the tips, they’ve had buddy baths, been separated (though they even managed to barge their way through the temporary floor in the top of the hutch in a bid to get to each other). Other than keeping them apart for a week or so and trying to rebond, I’ve done everything I’m able to (I don’t currently have space to keep them in separate cages) all the other advice on the forum has been invaluable.
I’ve reached an impasse where I feel I have a few choices.
1.Separate them both permanently, giving them both 1 floor of the 2 storey hutch (they have pretty much claimed a floor each anyway, except now Otto sits on the ramp to prevent Archie entering his territory)
2. Surrender one and consider neutering the remainder and finding a sow
Problem is, I feel terribly selfish if I were to give one up. I feel if I were putting the pigs first, I would bend over backwards to accommodate them. I would have loved to get them both a cage each and then maybe get them both girlfriends, but recently changes to my circumstances have put paid to this plan (my partner lost his job and we’ve been given 2 months’ notice to move out of our house).
However, I feel sad when I look at all the happy piggies on here that have a little herd of buddies and all play together and look so content. I don’t want having guinea pigs to be a difficulty, but I feel sad at the thought of not being able to handle them together and having to make sure they have separate time for cuddles. But if I’m being a good pet owner, should this be something I just accept I have to do? Would I be a bad person if I ‘swapped’ one boar for a sow for the sake of an easy life?
Sorry for the super long post, I’m just struggling to get over the guilt of it not working out and trying to decide what is best for the boys. The upheaval in my personal life doesn’t help much either! I don't know where to go from here?
). I think I won't rush into anything but might start asking about to see if I can find a new home for one of them and just keep them separate in the hutch. I don't want to rush into anything with a move coming up but actually at least that would save one of them the stress of a move and moving 1 pig maybe slightly easier than moving two?