Grooming Friend's Eye?

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PottyForPiggies

PottyForPiggies

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Hi piggy fans, got one for you. Wasn't sure whether it was better in behaviour or health, but given that neither is ill, I went behaviour.

This isn't even a bad thing, just a puzzler. Stewart and Junior are not what I'd call close. They get on but still chase and chatter after 2 years. Over the past couple of days I've noticed Stewart (aged 2 1/2) grooming Junior's (aged 5) left eye, just licking it and around it for a few seconds, and then sometimes he gets happy and popcorns :)

Junior has always been, shall we say, a little lazy with cleaning his eyes. We often have to give them a little wipe down as there's little bits of dried stuff in the corners (like sleep in humans).

Is this normal dominance behaviours between the pair, or is Stewart perhaps trying to tell us that something is wrong with that eye?
 
It is usually a sign of affection and care (see my avatar with Telyn cleaning Hafina's eyes due to her permanently blocked tear ducts). However, increased licking has also alerted me a couple of times to a near invisible (i.e. not ulcerated or bloody) hay poke. I would recommend to have him checked by a vet just to be on the safe side.

In any way, it means that your two boys are well bonded, very much caring about each and they are happy together. :)
 
Thank you Wiebke :) now the boys are getting older (particularly Junior, who just wants a quiet life), they are starting to get along better. Even caught them sleeping close, but not quite together :) He might chase him sometimes, but we can tell Stewart loves his uncle :)
 
Just look out whether the eye is unusually watery and whether Stewart is licking it often. it is sometimes pretty impossible to see a poke in a wet eye without the dye.
 
We had him out for a cuddle today and there didn't seem anything untoward, but will monitor it :)
 
My Katie has excessively watery eyes (been vet checked) and all of her herd clean them for her, even if she does shout in protest.
 
Confirmed: Stewart just loves his friend Junior :) He's been spotted tonight cleaning Junior's right eye, whilst making the gentle submissive squeaks of 'I'm trying to look after you' :)
 
Aw :) my old boy used to clean his previous cagemates eye for him. It was about the only time they really got along properly!
 
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