Dominant Or Bully?

[elyce]

so about two months ago we adopted two guinea pigs who are just a little over two years old. they've lived together since birth, but one is very dominant towards to other on a regular basis. I'm wondering if this should be of any big concern? they have both bonded well with my boyfriend and myself, although the dominant one (Sophie) tends to be a bit more reserved and quiet while our other piggy Rosie is very active and loud. when we first got them sophie would rarely allow Rosie to eat, so we often had to take Rosie out and feed her separately. that doesn't happen as much anymore and they both seem to eat in peace most of the time. however, sophie will often rumble at Rosie and strut towards her, head butt her, and block the entrance of the hut so Rosie can't get out. this most often occurs in the evenings. Rosie doesn't seem to mind it most of the time. Sophie has never done anything to physically harm Rosie, but I am worried about Sophie's aggressive behaviour towards Rosie. I am new to owning two guinea pigs who live together and would like to know if this is normal or something of concern...

if you could help me out id appreciate it!

 

[elyce]

another thing I might add is that Rosie often squeaks and gets really excited when we pass or stand outside the cage.. I read that can be a sign of a lonely piggy. could it be that Rosie doesn't feel like she has a good relationship with Sophie?

 

[MycuteBoys]

Hi, and welcome to this fab friendly forum, we have a great supportive online piggy community here, Best thing I've done in a long time joining
Anyway I'm not the best to help with this as I'm having the same sort of issue with two of my boars, I'm confused myself what best to do. we have very knowledgable staff members on here Wiebke is the best to offer you advice she will reply I'm sure at somepoint when's Shes next online (she's on here regularly).
Is there anything else your unsure of because your new to having piggies? We have great info on being a new piggy owner and safe foods to feed them both worth a read
All the best, ohhh can we see a pic if your two cuties pleeeessseeee

 

[Gizi]

Hello! Welcome to the forum! You will find lots of piggy information on here. I may not be the best person to help but here go's! My piggies do the same, these are normal behaviors though. Some piggies are very dominant and do not like to share hideys. I would recommend you get a hidey with 2 exits so that they have more ways to escape just in case Sophie go's into Rosies house or one entrance is blocked. My little girl Gizi is also very chirpy and happy all the time while Honey who is the dominant one is serious although she does wheek. I would only be concerned if there is blood being drawn but I understand how you feel as I don't like when my little Gizi gets pushed around of annoyed. I especially hate when Honey goes near Gizi's bottom (Gizi hates having her bottom touched) ans she squeaks so much! I swear Honey does that on purpose . May we see some piGtures? (hint hint...)

Heres a link -
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/

Read more at: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/sow-behaviour.38561/

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

Dominance behaviour is normal and it often gets worse when a girl is coming into season. Please make sure that you have two huts and bowls in as big a cage as you can afford, so the dominant piggy, who has the right of choice can't hog it all.

Your little one is just an excited ypungster begging for food. She would be terribly upset if you removed her from her friend!
Gizi has already given you the relevant links.

 

[*kate*]

My 2 shove each other around all the time although it gets worse when Hettie is hormonal. She grumbles and wont let Tilly into the hideaway. Only lasts a few hours and Tilly doesn't seem bothered by it!

I never know when Tilly is hormonal as her behaviour never changes.

 

[1GuineaPig1]

Hello, and welcome!
My two boys did the same thing, though Bacon (The dominant piggy) wasn't like that. Mine are both boars, so that may be it. That is normal dominance behavior, but a good thing to do is make sure your cage is sized okay, not too small, and that you have two of everything. Two water bottles, two food dishes, two hay racks, ect.
If the dominance becomes too aggressive, separate them immediately. The first time I got my boars, I got so scared when they started chasing, I separated them immediately. Only now do I know how silly that was, it was just normal dominance behavior.
I hope this helped.