Dominant 12 Week Old Guinea Pig Help!

[Afton]

Hello,
I am brand new to this site and thought since you all seem to know what you are talking about that iI would ask for your help if that's okay?
I have had 2 Guinea pigs in the past (at separate times) my first one was Gabrielle and he lived until he was 7 years old
My 2nd one was Gannicus and he sadly passed away at 1year and 8 months only last week - due to having got a URI and not eating for over 10 days (yes I was force feeding him critical care every two hours along with water and he did go to the vet for his treatment - 5 visits in the space of 7 days) but sadly he did not win the battle and has left be broken hearted. Anyway........
I have since adopted 2 guinea pigs - because I love the company and joy that Guinea pigs can bring plus they are suuuuuuper cute!
They are two males one is a Peruvian (Pumpkin) and the other a teddy bear (Teddy). They are both 12 weeks old and were caged together at the pet store. I only got them on Friday and things were fine until the last couple of days where Pumpkin has started to chase Teddy and mount him. Teddy is very very shy and hides alot whereas Pumpkin is the complete opposite and hyperactive all the time!
I have read some very interesting posts on here about how this is a sign of dominance but i was just wondering if you guys have any recommendations about what i can do to ease this whole process? I had spoke to a vet and they said to get Pumpkin neutered might be a good idea - but i was unsure?
I am just scared because i work 9-5 and i would not want them attacking each other when i wasnt there - i mean dont get me wrong its not at the stage but Teddy is not happy about Pumpkin chasing a mounting him as he sometimes pushes him off or shoves him.
Oh they also live in a huge rabbit cage together and they like to snuggle up and night and sleep together so they are friends apart from well the whole dry humping buisiness!
Sorry for the long winded explanation I just figured its best if you guys know that background Thank you very much for your time and i look forward to reading your responses - Take care and i send hugs to all your little piggies xx

 

[DM030819]

Neutering doesn't calm piggies down.

Have a read on the resources pages : http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/resources/ There's some information on bonding there.

Are the piggies fighting? Are they drawing blood? If not, it sounds like they're just working out who is 'top pig' and will settle down in time.

If you can, you can always increase the size of their cage, or get a bigger one. More space the better for boys

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

Unlike with rabbits, neutering guinea pigs won't make a difference. Sadly, many general vets are not aware of this! neutering is only advised if you want a boar live with sows, but you'd better make sure that you have either a very good general vet with lots of practice in guinea pig neutering or a small animal specialist to do it for you, or the risk of especially post op complications or even death can be sadly quite high. A boar also needs to wait a full 6 weeks before he is 100% safe to go with a sow.

It is very likely that your boys have got over their initial fright and are now establishing a hierarchy. Please make sure that you have got everything in twos and that if things are wild, there are no hideys with just one exit, so no boar can feel trapped; which is one situation that can spark a fight.
You may find these threads here helpful:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boars-a-guide-to-successful-companionship.76162/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/

 

[Afton]

Thank you for your very quick replies no there is no drawing blood or biting etc just the chasing and mounting and it's just pumpkin who is doing this , teddy is being very submissive! I just wanted to ask you guys if this was okay and normal and if you have any tips because I have never owned two at the same time thank you wiebke yes they have one of everything and none of their wee house has only one exit.
Yes I was very unsure about the whole neutering thing as that's something I did not want to go down and now I certaingly will not be doing thanks for your help

 

[Wiebke]

If the chasing and mounting was so incessant that Teddy cannot eat or sleep in peace, I would separate, but otherwise, you will have to sit it out.

 

[Afton]

Yeah I will just keep a wee eye on them and make sure that that does not happen - fingers crossed it will all be sorted soon I am going to buy a C+C cage for them so they have more room to play and also if in case it does become incessant and Teddy is not happy then i can separate them