Hi, I’m a new owner of two 6 weeks old (brother) boars and I am currently unsure if they are playing, fighting or showing their dominance? They are still quite shy as I’ve only had them a week however when they come out both boys or sometimes just one will be making this low growling / grumbling noise and will run around the cage chasing after eachother, they also make this noise when eating or sometimes just when they are hiding in their house? I’m unsure what they are doing and want to make sure both guineas are happy and safe any tips or ideas? Thankyou
Fighting?
- Thread starter ggpig
- Start date
This doesn’t sound like anything to be concerned about. They will make noises and chat to each other. They will also be in a period of establishing themselves.
The only time you really need to be concerned is if they were to have a full on blood drawing fight. These kinds of fights happen due to incompatibility. Being brothers does not mean they are character compatible so once they hit their teens (4-14 months), then it is something to watch out for. Don’t worry overly though - more boar pairs make it together than not! You will absolutely see displays of dominance though as they work out the hierarchy between them.
I have added in links to our boar guides and dominance guide you to read through. I have also added our cage size guide - one of the most important things you can do to ease things for boars is to give them a large cage. Boars need a larger cage to
Help give them enough space to prevent tensions and give them their own territory.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Cage Size Guide
The only time you really need to be concerned is if they were to have a full on blood drawing fight. These kinds of fights happen due to incompatibility. Being brothers does not mean they are character compatible so once they hit their teens (4-14 months), then it is something to watch out for. Don’t worry overly though - more boar pairs make it together than not! You will absolutely see displays of dominance though as they work out the hierarchy between them.
I have added in links to our boar guides and dominance guide you to read through. I have also added our cage size guide - one of the most important things you can do to ease things for boars is to give them a large cage. Boars need a larger cage to
Help give them enough space to prevent tensions and give them their own territory.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Cage Size Guide
Do expect things to ramp up between them dominance wise as they get surges of hormones, but hopefully they are compatible and with enough space and if you follow the advice for dealing with boars and their territorial ways, they will come out the other side of the teens happy piggies!