Got Treacle a friend but oh dear!

Status
Not open for further replies.
E

elf2

Joined
Apr 1, 2012
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Outskirts of Belfast
Hi folks

Really need some help. As you probably know Treacle lost her friend about 3 weeks ago.

We don't have many rescues here in NI so it has taken me until today to find a rescue friend.

Before the introductions, I cleaned the cage, moved things around to make it look like a brand new place and placed both Treacle and Honey in the cage. Oh dear, it didn't go well at all. It actually upset me to be honest as I've never seen this sort of aggression from Treacle before.

I now have Honey in a cage of her own and Treacle is on her own also.

Any suggestions?
 
When you put guinea pigs together they do behave in this way. It looks much worse then it is. They are trying to establish who is boss. You have to introduce them on neutral ground. with food and things to hide in. If you put them both in the cage Treacle will feel somebody had invaded her home. It needs to be done in a separate area such as bathroom floor. It is worth another try. You only need to intervene if they draw blood.
 
Of course. The last introduction I did with Treacle went well but it was in the outside run - d'oh!

It's now too dark and wet to try this in the garden tonight so will give this a go tomorrow.

Many thanks for your help.

Oh does age matter in this? Treacle is about 2 (she was rescue so not 100% sure) and Honey is coming up to 1.
 
No their ages should be fine. Good luck tomorrow. I really hope it works. It is sad to think of them both alone.
 
It was breaking my heart having Treacle all on her own. I had to syringe feed her for a while there because she was off her food after losing her friend.

Honestly I'm just so silly at times. I completely forgot about neutral territory! I've no doubt they will get on.
 
You can also try the bath trick, bathe them both (same shampoo) so that they smell the same. Some people recommend doing the intros in the bath as well, but I put a small run on newspaper in the living room.

Good luck - just going through that with Parkin and his new friend, Cyclops, as well!
 
That's a great idea about the bath. I'll do that this evening.

Do you think it'll be ok in the same cage then if I do the proper introductions etc and clean and change the cage around?
 
They should be OK in the same cage after you have done introductions in a neutral place and there is no more than normal dominance behaviour; the bath, bathroom floor, kitchen floor are all good indoors places, provided there are no nooks and crannies they can get in or under.

Here are more tips for introductions: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38562
Sow behaviour: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38561
Signs of aggression: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=28949
 
i know its **** not the same but when i have introduced any of my new rats single or pair to a pair or group i already have i introduce then to each other in the bath for about half hour a day for a few days, when i am satisfied that they will be ok they then all have a bath together so all smell the same, then the cage gets a thorough clean and new bedding any hammocks also get washed, then they all go back in and it usually works
good luck
 
Many thanks for your help on this. I will try all the recommendations to ensure both girls get a chance to adjust and make friends.
 
Hi there elf2, I was going to pm you, but you can't get pm's just yet. I was just wondering where you got your piggies? and what the process was like? because I looked and looked here (I'm right at the top of the M2), but couldn't find any rescues who did guinea pigs, so I would love to know for the future :)
Thanks.
 
Hi everyone

Well the little girls are still not getting on. Process since Thursday has been keeping them in separate cages beside each other, they have been talking. Had them both out in the run most of this morning (neutral territory) and they continually chased each other but no nipping etc. Bathed them together and now they are smelling lovely and fresh. They did well in the bath. After washing them I put towels in the bath and they started sniffing each other and chatting away. I cleaned and rearranged the cage this morning and actually purchased a few new items as well as new bowls and water bottles - just to be safe. I am now typing this and watching them. Treacle is not happy, she is continuing to pounce on Honey. My nerves are shattered lol.

Re: animal shelters. I contacted 7th Heaven Animal Sanctuary a few weeks ago asking if they needed to rehome any female piggies to contact me. They did this last weekend. Assisi in Newtownards currently have two piggies and Happycatz near Bangor did have a wee girl. Sometimes Pets at Home have piggies in their adoption centre. I'd give them a call as they had two in Newtownabbey last week. You could also look on Gumtree as a lot of owners are now looking to rehome their animals. I've noticed the amount of rabbits needing new homes has increased drastically.

Good luck.

PS forgot to say the process was fine. I collected Honey from 7th Heaven volunteer in Mallusk, we chatted about my experience, where Honey would be housed, what food I would be giving her, I then signed a contract to say if I'd any problems with her that I'd contact them and they would take her back for rehoming. They just want to be sure that Honey will be well looked after. HTH
 
Last edited:
Well that is some progress. At least they seem to be tolerating each other. You have done all the right steps. I really hope they get along and can live together soon.
 
Thanks for the update! Sounds like you've done all the right things, fingers crossed they will calm down and learn to get along so * can relax! Come on girls, play nice! X
 
Day 2: Kept them in separate cages last night, I just couldn't leave them on their own and sleep soundly. Introductions on the sofa proved to work well this morning. Followed by some floor time together, again worked very well although Treacle is most definitely the dominant one and stamping her authority on Honey. While they were playing together - chasing each other round is more apt - I again cleaned the cage out and rearranged the furniture - I'm running out of different ways to change the cage around lol. They are now in the cage and are tolerating each other again. Will keep them in there for a few hours to see how it goes.

Thanks for all the help, advice and encouragement to keep at this.
 
Day Two, Part 2: After some play time in the bath (no water - just towels down so they don't slip - we've a large free standing bath ;)) girls had a little nap together in the cage. They have been getting on well today.

Do you reckon a night in the same cage would be ok?
 
Aww that sounds great. If they get on from now until night I do not see why they cannot stay together.
 
Thanks. I'll keep a close eye on them until bedtime and make a decision then. If there's any aggression, I'll give them another night in side by side cages.
 
Day 3: Update

My wee girls had a great night together :) They are now out in the run munching on grass and lettuce. I did see little Honey try and sneak a nibble of Treacle's lettuce but Treacle was having none of it :))

I am now a happy bunny! Umm, wonder should I consider number 3 ;)
 
I am so pleased to hear how well they are getting on. I used to have three piggies and I think two or four seem to get on better.
 
piggyfan said:
I am so pleased to hear how well they are getting on. I used to have three piggies and I think two or four seem to get on better.
Click to expand...

Umm, not sure I'm ready to jump to four but if everyone's experience is that even numbers are better, I will certainly hold off until I have the space and time.
 
I would wait until you can get four. They are happy now so it is nice for them to get used to each other.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top