Dramatic, hip-checking sows

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WestVirginia130

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I've had my girls (Lizzie and Georgie!) for about two weeks now, and I've noticed that every time I move things even slightly in their cage, they immediately and VERY determinedly go around hip-checking things so that they aren't touching the sides of their cage. It's like they MUST have an unblocked path around the perimeter of the cage and nothing will stand in their way, not even their hay manger!

Their cage is plenty big to allow for their zoomies (2x5 C&C) and the behavior isn't really a *problem* so much as it is annoying to have to constantly move their things out of the center of the cage, but I was wondering if anyone had experienced the same thing or had any explanation for the behavior?
 
They like to feng shui their flat? 🤷🏾‍♀️ My boys are always rearranging their lodgings. Even when I out things back nicely they’ll go around pushing boxes out the way etc. I wouldn’t let it get to you.
 
WestVirginia130 said:
I've had my girls (Lizzie and Georgie!) for about two weeks now, and I've noticed that every time I move things even slightly in their cage, they immediately and VERY determinedly go around hip-checking things so that they aren't touching the sides of their cage. It's like they MUST have an unblocked path around the perimeter of the cage and nothing will stand in their way, not even their hay manger!

Their cage is plenty big to allow for their zoomies (2x5 C&C) and the behavior isn't really a *problem* so much as it is annoying to have to constantly move their things out of the center of the cage, but I was wondering if anyone had experienced the same thing or had any explanation for the behavior?
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Hi and welcome!

Have you double-checked the gender of your piggies to make sure that you really have got two girls? Mis-sexing is sadly not all uncommon.
It is one of the things we strongly recommend our members to do with any newly arrived piggies as a matter of routine.
Illustrated Sexing Guide
New guinea pigs: Sexing, vet checks&customer rights, URI, ringworm and parasites

Rumble-strutting border patrol of the territory is generally more typically a boar behaviour and is more typical in new guinea pigs that are new to their territory and have a greater need to check and mark it all as theirs although territory marking is and cleaned cage checking is a very normal procedure with all piggies. Settled piggies usually just get by with a quick inspection.

Please arrange your furnishings accordingly to allow your piggies free border control and an unobstructed loop for full out zoomies at high speed so they can practice normal species behaviour.
 
I call this the Piggy Pickfords Treatment. It’s like the removal men have been in and rearranged the cage. Mine love rearranging, particularly if they want an unbroken circuit for doing zoomies and their stupid human has put an obstacle in the way.
 
My sow does this a lot (and she has been verified as a sow!)... sometimes when she’s in the extended run and you’re sitting in there she’ll come over and bosh you with her hip as she goes past. She likes to headbutt the roof on her cardboard box tunnel too. And her hammock. And the hay bag. She’s a climber too, esp if she thinks there’s food on offer!
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome!

Have you double-checked the gender of your piggies to make sure that you really have got two girls? Mis-sexing is sadly not all uncommon.
It is one of the things we strongly recommend our members to do with any newly arrived piggies as a matter of routine.
Illustrated Sexing Guide
New guinea pigs: Sexing, vet checks&customer rights, URI, ringworm and parasites

Rumble-strutting border patrol of the territory is generally more typically a boar behaviour and is more typical in new guinea pigs that are new to their territory and have a greater need to check and mark it all as theirs although territory marking is and cleaned cage checking is a very normal procedure with all piggies. Settled piggies usually just get by with a quick inspection.

Please arrange your furnishings accordingly to allow your piggies free border control and an unobstructed loop for full out zoomies at high speed so they can practice normal species behaviour.
Click to expand...

They most definitely are girls; their original owner, the shelter I adopted from, and the exotics vet all concur (and there's no evidence of babies forming three weeks in lol). I'm glad to hear it's not just my girls doing this though! I just thought it was odd because it is definitely performed as a behavior separate from their rumble-strutting.
 
Same! Betty goes out of her way to find things to bosh, butt, hip slam, wriggle through or climb on, however the run is arranged. I never thought I’d be body slammed by a guinea pig 🤣 but when she’s on a mission nothing gets in her way!
 
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