Dominance Issues

[caroline081]

Helloo everyone!

I just have a quick question. We have two guinea pigs around 5 months old sisters named lily and mocha. When we first got them mocha was the dominant one, they still got along well but you could see that she was more dominant than lily. However last week she got ill and we had to separate the two. Now when we put them back together the dynamic has changed and lily has become more dominant, she chatters her teeth right next to mocha's ears who in turn responds with really loud screeches.
Does anyone have a possible recommendation that could help this situation?

Thank you

 

[sport_billy]

Sorry this is happening, it may well be Lily is in season or has just taken advantage of Mocha being poorly to try and become top pig. The behaviour will settle down soon hopefully. Please make sure they have two hideys, two food bowls etc.... this will help with any bickering

 

[Wiebke]

Helloo everyone!

I just have a quick question. We have two guinea pigs around 5 months old sisters named lily and mocha. When we first got them mocha was the dominant one, they still got along well but you could see that she was more dominant than lily. However last week she got ill and we had to separate the two. Now when we put them back together the dynamic has changed and lily has become more dominant, she chatters her teeth right next to mocha's ears who in turn responds with really loud screeches.
Does anyone have a possible recommendation that could help this situation?

Thank you

You have to accept that group dynamics can change; any intervention on your behalf will only serve to make matters worse. Things should setle down again once the inevitable re-bonding dominance phase is over.

Medical separations can upset and even break a bond; this is why we recommend to separate only if absolutely necessary due to an operation or the piggy is being pushed out out of the group/bullied by the their mates.

 

[caroline081]

Update:

The fighting has settled down, the group dynamic did in fact change but thankfully it doesn't seem as though the issue was too serious, they seem to just have needed time to adapt

 

[Wiebke]

Glad that they have sorted themselves out. Any longer separation can result in a hierarchy reshuffle.