GUINEA PIGS FELL FROM MY LAP!

[brisme]

Today I was feeding both of my male guinea pigs in my lap. Previously, I fed them in my lap with no problem and they even slept for a bit next to each other.

This time they began full-on fighting in my lap and then they both slid off my lap.

One of them froze before bolting towards a dark crevice and the other one just was not moving much. I AM SO WORRIED! First, that they may associate me with the fall and forever distrust me. Second, they may have injuries. Now, I believe the fall was no more than 12 inches. I checked them for injuries before placing them back in their cage. I'm very worried about them because they seem traumatized from this.

I looked online immediately and it seemed like the consensus is to watch their behavior for injuries. Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Hi, the chances are they will be fine. Are they both walking normally and not limping? Just keep a close eye on them for the next few days, as you know to do.If either of them landed head first there is a possibility they could have damaged their front teeth so check for this, also if the teeth are damaged below the gum line then they can become loose as they grow before falling out and then growing back, so for the coming few weeks make sure your piggies can bite food and eat normally.
They won't distrust you because of the fall but it will have been a bit of a shock to them as will have the sudden fight and they are more likely to associate it with that, just continue to handle them with confidence. Are they find with each other now and do they normally get along well together?

 

[Wiebke]

Today I was feeding both of my male guinea pigs in my lap. Previously, I fed them in my lap with no problem and they even slept for a bit next to each other.

This time they began full-on fighting in my lap and then they both slid off my lap.

One of them froze before bolting towards a dark crevice and the other one just was not moving much. I AM SO WORRIED! First, that they may associate me with the fall and forever distrust me. Second, they may have injuries. Now, I believe the fall was no more than 12 inches. I checked them for injuries before placing them back in their cage. I'm very worried about them because they seem traumatized from this.

I looked online immediately and it seemed like the consensus is to watch their behavior for injuries. Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.

Hi!

Please keep an eye on them for a couple of days. Hpopefully they are fine.

I would however strongly recommend that you do not have them on your lap together. Always cuddle the more dominant boar first, as it is his right to be first in everything.
It is likely that they have reached teenage now.

Here is more information on prey animal instincts (bolting), teenage and on boar do's and dont's in the boar guide:
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[brisme]

Thank you for the response. Because of this fight, their relationship seemed to have devolved. They always violently chattered their teeth and tried to fight everytime I tried to introduce them after that. I gave the less dominant one away.

 

[brisme]

This is news to me! I thought the guinea pigs would want to be cuddled together. In the end they didn't get hurt from the fall and showed no limping or lack of appetite. I ended up giving away the less dominant one due to them continuing to fight everytime they saw each other after that.

 

[Siikibam]

So do you now have just one piggy? You could have kept them side by side so they could interact. They didn’t get on but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t have gotten on as neighbours.

Are you planning to bond your lone boar once the rescues are back up and running?