Fighting Piggies.. Is This A Phase?

[xmelodeehx]

I have had my first piggie since October, and my second piggie for about a month now. They're both males and were both getting along perfectly with no issues.

Ever since Monday they've been fighting like 4 times a day and it's really getting on my nerves because pretty much every day they wake me up fighting. There's no cuts, bites or scrapes, ive been checking them.

Is this ever gonna end? Dont get me wrong, I love my piggies but this is really making me re consider them. I've become allergic to them, they don't like me at all, and now they won't let me sleep. I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it

 

[Wiebke]

How old are your boys and have you got anywhere outside of your bedroom to keep them?

Unfortunately, guinea pigs are not born as pets, they are prey animals. If you have got them from a shop, they have virtually had no human contact, so it will take time and patience to bring them out. Most piggies don't like being picked up, as that cuts very close to their prey animal instinct, but there are ways of working around that, like using a tunnel, cosy or upturned hidey for the pick-up itself.

It is very likely that your boys are hitting the stroppy months between 4-14 months old when teenage boars suffer from strong hormonal spikes and develop their adult identity. Please have a read through out boar guide at the top of this section.

PS: It would also help us a lot if you added your country, state (US/Aus) or general area (UK) to your details, so we can tailor our recommendations to your specific needs. Our members are from all over the world. Click on your name on the top bar, then go to personal details/location.

 

[xmelodeehx]

I'm from PR/the US. The first one I got I'd say is 5 months, 6 tops because he was small when I got him but not a baby either. The other one is older, maybe like 7 or 8 ish.
I dont really have anywhere else to keep them since there are other animals in my house and they're mine so I have to keep them in my room, nobody else will pay attention to them.

So after they're past the year mark they will calm down?

 

[xmelodeehx]

Also I believe that the younger one's the one starting it. I often find the oldest one on the top level doing nothing (avoiding conflict, I assume) when they both prefer to be on the lower level since that's where their hidey houses are.