I have two 8month old females who get a long great. I just bought a 3 month old female and she is being mean to one of my older females. My two oldest are now starting to fight and I’m not sure why/what to do. Any comments or suggestions?
Female guinea fighting
- Thread starter Mad1023
- Start date
Unfortunately if you add a piggy who is not compatible, then there will be issues. It can be tricky to get an already bonded pair to accept another piggy into their bond. Any bonding needs to be done properly but ultimately piggies need to like each other to want to live together and there is always a chance of problems if you buy a piggy on spec and attempt to add it to an already bonded pair.
If their relationship is now having problems, then read the link below as it will give you details on what to do next involving working out whether the bonds are still functioning or whether they need to be separated. We would need a bit more information about what is actually happening to be able to help further
Bonds In Trouble
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
If their relationship is now having problems, then read the link below as it will give you details on what to do next involving working out whether the bonds are still functioning or whether they need to be separated. We would need a bit more information about what is actually happening to be able to help further
Bonds In Trouble
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
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Are you sure that you are seeing fighting or just normal dominance behaviour? Please take the time to look at our very detailed bonding guide, which takes you through all stages of the very complex process with the relevant dynamics and behaviours for any stage to help you judge whether the bonding process is working or has failed. This includes the 2 weeks post-intro phase and a chapter on fear-aggression. Guinea pigs are NOT mean; that is your human perception of dominance behaviour which is crucial in order to establish a working hierarchy and group, which is at the very core of social guinea pig life and identity.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Over the top aggressive behaviour is usually caused by fear and not aggression. When the tension in a failed bonding attempt is coming down between the original pair, then it is unfortunately definitely time to abort the bonding as you risk ending up with three piggies that won't get on with any of the other.
Trios are by far the most difficult constellation to get right.
You can never just add guinea pigs of your choice to a pair and expect that to work. Any bond relies on mutual liking and personality compatitibility. When the chips are down, all piggies have to WANT to live together - and there is nothing you can do to force them to get on when they don't.