guinea pig bonding

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pepper_and_snow

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Hi!

My family has always turned to guinea pigs when it comes to pets, they are cute and lovable! When I was younger, we had three guinea pigs of which we bought at the same time, and they got along pretty well. They would cuddle, and eat together all the time. They all passed away naturally, and a few months ago we decided to find new guinea pigs. Our first one is Pepper, and about a month after, we got another named Snow so that she wouldn't be lonely. We tried putting them together for the first time and they started fighting and biting each other. I read that this is a normal part of the process, but this went on for some time. Now, both guinea pigs are afraid to be held and run away from us. Is this from the fighting? Guinea pigs are now separated (cages are close together), but was hoping that they would bond so that they won't both be lonely. Should I try putting them together again?

Please let me know! thanks!
 
When you say biting, did they leave any injuries on each other? And what exactly were they doing for you to say they were fighting? When you did the bonding, did you just put Snow into Pepper’s cage or did you put them in a neutral area?

The advice will depend on your answers to the questions above. If they were bites that break skin then I wouldn’t advice you try and bond them again. Once piggies decide that’s it and you can’t change their mind. That’s the downside of just going and getting a piggy from a pet shop/breeder. You need to have a plan b.
 
At first they were nibbling at each other but they starting chasing each other, and seemed to be growling at each other as well. The little one would start to calm down but our original guinea pig seemed to be upset with her and continued to bite her ears and her hair was raising. However, while fighting they started "popcorning" so I was a little confused by this. I put them both on the living room floor surrounded by a large fencing with some hay and treats in the middle, neither of them had been in the area.
 
Was the other piggy’s ear okay? Sounds like she was being groomed rather than being bitten. Rumbling and chasing is all normal and part of dominance behaviour. Was the little one squealing and running away?

I think you’re okay to try bonding them again. But you have to see it through to its conclusion and try not to intervene too early. Have a read of the guides I’ve linked below before you try again. Make sure you have the day to bond them. You can always leave them in the bonding area overnight if you want. Make sure you clean out the cage thoroughly, change bedding and rearrange before you put them back in.
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
 
Okay thank you! I did actually check her through and she seems to be okay. The little one was squealing and running away while Pepper was chasing her! I left the room for a bit today, and caught them biting the cage where they are next to each other, and squealing!
 
The squeaking is submissive behaviour. Have a read of the guides.
 
Thank you, last night we went ahead and kept them together for a good amount of time, instead of giving up right away. After a few more fighting sessions they seem to be slowly warming up to each other. Thank you for your help and information!
 
Please be clear that it’s not fighting. It’s dominance and sorting out their hierarchy. They’ve done the basics but establishing it will take up to two weeks after they’ve moved into their cage together.
 
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