Guinea Pig Behaviour Issues

[vasilevaa13]

Hi all,

Recently I adopted another guinea pig so my boar is not alone. They have been living close to each other to get used to noises, smells, etc. After placing them together in a cage with cage bars in between, there was a lot of interaction and what we thought was "courting" hence we thought it was promising (I cleaned the whole cage thoroughly). So, shortly after we set up a new cage in a neutral location. However, I was not confident the introduction was going well. The little guy was very friendly (Mocca) and wanted to meet my older guinea pig (Picasso) however Picasso spent the whole time chasing Mocca around making a rumbling sound (which we believe is rumble strutting?) and what looks like an attempt to mount Mocca. But it was not a playful happy chase at all, there was a somewhat predatory element (?) which made me feel uncomfortable. There was food, snacks, and toys in the pen too but Picasso was just focused on chasing Mocca all the time. I took Mocca out of that situation and let them settle down. After maybe 10 minutes, Mocca seemed like he wanted to go back in the pen so I let him decide and he found a way to sneak into it as he is very small. I trusted that he knew how to get out if he went in so i did not need to intervene. However, the exact same thing happened where Mocca wanted to play but all Picasso wanted to do was chase him around. Eventually, Mocca got out. Ever since then, Picasso has not stopped making noises, biting the cage, and being absolutely crazy, very out of character of him.

If anyone has any advice that would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Piggies&buns]

How old are the piggies?

Chasing, mounting and rumbling is normal behaviour and how piggies bond. It can look rough to us but is very normal for them.

You need to put them in a neutral territory pen with no toys and no hides. Only put hay, some veg and some water in the pen. Leave them in the pen for several hours and let them get on with it.
If all goes well, After a few hours you clean out the cage they are to live in together and then move them to the cage. Keep them together from then on.
You can’t repeatedly introduce and separate boars as it’s now how they bond. It interrupts their processes and stops the bonding each time

What you cannot do is allow one piggy to wander into the cage of another piggy. That can be seen as a territory invasion and lead to a fight.

Make sure the cage is secure so he cannot fit through the bars as that risks him getting stuck and injured. Use cardboard to cover the holes so he can’t hurt himself.

Make sure the cage is big enough. Two boars need a lot of room - a cage measuring 180x60cm is recommended.

If an actual fight occurs (which is obvious and much more than just chasing and mounting) then the bonding has failed and they will sadly never be able to live on the same cage.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[vasilevaa13]

How old are the piggies?

Chasing, mounting and rumbling is normal behaviour and how piggies bond. It can look rough to us but is very normal for them.

You need to put them in a neutral territory pen with no toys and no hides. Only put hay, some veg and some water in the pen. Leave them in the pen for several hours and let them get on with it.
If all goes well, After a few hours you clean out the cage they are to live in together and then move them to the cage. Keep them together from then on.
You can’t repeatedly introduce and separate boars as it’s now how they bond. It interrupts their processes and stops the bonding each time

What you cannot do is allow one piggy to wander into the cage of another piggy. That can be seen as a territory invasion and lead to a fight.

Make sure the cage is secure so he cannot fit through the bars as that risks him getting stuck and injured. Use cardboard to cover the holes so he can’t hurt himself.

Make sure the cage is big enough. Two boars need a lot of room - a cage measuring 180x60cm is recommended.

If an actual fight occurs (which is obvious and much more than just chasing and mounting) then the bonding has failed and they will sadly never be able to live on the same cage.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

Thank you for the response! The older one is 8 months old and Mocca is 2 months old. We were really concerned as it seemed like the behavior was quite aggressive. I suppose we put a timer on and let them get on with it as you say. Do you think that he will eventually stop chasing him around and settle down?
Thank you!

 

[Piggies&buns]

So your older boy is a teenager. Your younger boy will turn a teenager at 4 months of age. It takes them two weeks to fully form a bond and during that time you will see the dominance behaviours. If they are compatible and want to be together then the dominance will settle but it won’t ever stop - it’s something they do throughout life as a way to reaffirm their relationship. Once your younger boy becomes 4 months of age onwards you will probably see a re-emergence of behaviours as he becomes hormonal.

Make sure their cage is definitely big enough. Boars need a lot of room and lack of space can cause problems.
Also ensure you have two of every item in the cage. Don’t use hides which only have one door (it can mean one piggy gets trapped inside by the other and can cause issues.
I would recommend you dont use food bowls - scatter their veg and one tablespoon of pellets each into a pile of hay on the cage floor. That way, they can both forage and get their fair share. It stops the dominant from food hogging but it also provides enrichment and entertainment

Do read the green links I added in my previous post as it explains everything about boar behaviour

 

[Piggies&buns]

You dont need to put a timer on. You go by their behaviour - they can stay in the neutral pen all day and night if they have to. Generally speaking, once they have had a nap and if they wake up and are still ok together, then it is often safe to move them to the cage (where you will likely see a new round of dominance - you see dominance in each new environment) But there is no rush to move them if you are unsure

 

[vasilevaa13]

Hi Piggies&buns just wanted to thank you, they have been happily living together since yesterday! Really appreciate your fast advice, it seems we were just overprotective of the little guy.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Hi Piggies&buns just wanted to thank you, they have been happily living together since yesterday! Really appreciate your fast advice, it seems we were just overprotective of the little guy.

Great news!
It will take them around two weeks to fully establish their relationship.

 

[weepweeps]

Hi Piggies&buns just wanted to thank you, they have been happily living together since yesterday! Really appreciate your fast advice, it seems we were just overprotective of the little guy.

Great news. I’m so happy they are getting along.