Guinea pigs mating/ biting

[Pig_Wig]

Hi all quite an urgent question, I have 2 male pigs and 1 of them keeps on mounting the other one, not just mounting but VERY violently biting his neck I have seen no damage to the less dominant pig but I have separated them most days but it doesn’t help at all they have been doing it for about 2 months now but today’s episode was very violent with him borrowing under the separater I have thought about neutering but I researched it and 70% said it made no difference, I just wondered if anyone else has/ had this problem I will try and post a pic about him digging under the fence, I’m just out of ideas of what to do TIA any help most welcomed thanks.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Have you confirmed that they are both indeed male? How old are they?

Mounting each other is normal dominance behaviour (even between same sex piggies). You do need to be aware that constantly separating them you will be causing them to need to re-establish their relationship every single time you put them back together, thereby causing more mounting to re-establish.

Neutering will not make any difference to this kind of dominance behaviour

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

Illustrated Sexing Guide

 

[Pig_Wig]

Have you confirmed that they are both indeed male? How old are they?

Mounting each other is normal dominance behaviour (even between same sex piggies). You do need to be aware that constantly separating them you will be causing them to need to re-establish their relationship every single time you put them back together, thereby causing more mounting to re-establish.

Neutering will not make any difference to this kind of dominance behaviour

Yes I am positive they are male and they are about 18 months .

 

[Piggies&buns]

I have linked in helpful guides above that provide further information on normal behaviour, but also information to help identify when problems are occurring.

What is the submissive piggy’s reaction to the mounting?
Is the submissive piggy happy in the relationship? Is he eating and gaining weight normally?

How big is their cage?
How long have they been together?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all quite an urgent question, I have 2 male pigs and 1 of them keeps on mounting the other one, not just mounting but VERY violently biting his neck I have seen no damage to the less dominant pig but I have separated them most days but it doesn’t help at all they have been doing it for about 2 months now but today’s episode was very violent with him borrowing under the separater I have thought about neutering but I researched it and 70% said it made no difference, I just wondered if anyone else has/ had this problem I will try and post a pic about him digging under the fence, I’m just out of ideas of what to do TIA any help most welcomed thanks.

Hi!

Mounting and and holding the neck with the teeth to prevent the mounted piggy from running away (it is NOT painful) is both dominance and sexual mating behaviour.

Please do only separate for good if this behaviour crosses the line into bullying. When you separate, you force the dominant boar (who may be experiencing a testosterone spike) to then start back in square one and never get anywhere with re-establishing his dominance. If you do this too often, you can endanger the bond.

The piggy you need to look out for is the underboar, not the mounting boar. If he is perking up noticeably when he is on his own, then he is stressed out and feels bullied. If he wants to be back with his friend, then please leave him.

Please always conduct any re-intros on neutral ground outside the cage. If you just lift the divider, you may get a stronger reaction.
The seaparation/re-intro combination will give you the honest answer on how your two boys feel about each other and their relationship.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics (see especially boar bonding and last chapter about dominance)
Bonds In Trouble

How large is your cage?
Cage Size Guide

Unfortunately, neutering only takes away the ability to make babies but it doesn't change personal outlook (a bully will always be a bully), does NOT cut off testosterone production or prevent hormones spikes in adult age. I know that from my own succession of neutered boars; currently I have 8 of them!

PS: Please take the time to read our guide links. you will hopefully find them very helpful!

 

[Pig_Wig]

his reaction is biting the ground and almost screaming , the pig is happy obviously when he is not being mounted and yes he is gaining weight normally maybe a bit overweight there cage is 2x3 ft and they are brothers so they have been together since birth. Thanks

 

[Piggies&buns]

his reaction is biting the ground and almost screaming , the pig is happy obviously when he is not being mounted and yes he is gaining weight normally maybe a bit overweight there cage is 2x3 ft and they are brothers so they have been together since birth. Thanks

Unfortunately the cage is not big enough for two boys. For two boys being kept in too small of a cage can increase tensions and dominance behaviours such as mounting and can ultimately result in fall outs. Boars need to be kept in a cage measuring at least 5ft x 2ft.

The screaming can be a sign of submission, not pain or any problem. The squealing/screaming is often the piggy submitting and accepting his position as the submissive piggy. If he is gaining weight normally, then I doubt there is a problem such as bullying. Often a bullied pig will refuse to eat and you see weight loss

 

[Pig_Wig]

Unfortunately the cage is not big enough for two boys. For two boys being kept in too small of a cage can increase tensions and dominance behaviours such as mounting and can ultimately result in fall outs. Boars need to be kept in a cage measuring at least 5ft x 2ft.

Thank you I will try and get a bigger cage