Helllpp

[ameliacorbo]

my guineas are rumbling at each other and sniffing each others butts? One of them is following the other around and annoying her. What do I do? Thank in advance x

 

[Critter]

Hi there. This is totally normal behaviour and both sexes will do this with each other. It's their way of showing dominance. This behaviour can come and go with each 'bout' being short-lived, or can last some time and it varies depending on how old they are (hormones play a big part as they approach adulthood), whether or not she is in season, and personality. Changes in routine and environment can bring this behaviour about too.

Please take a look at these threads and try not to worry, It looks worse than it is. Sometimes one will try to get away or will squeal, but again, this looks and sounds worse than it is. Almost all pairs or groups of pigs will show this behaviour from time to time, some more than others, and it really is totally normal.

Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

I assume both of your piggies are sows?
Are they youngsters who have just started this behaviour?

 

[ameliacorbo]

Hi there. This is totally normal behaviour and both sexes will do this with each other. It's their way of showing dominance. This behaviour can come and go with each 'bout' being short-lived, or can last some time and it varies depending on how old they are (hormones play a big part as they approach adulthood), whether or not she is in season, and personality. Changes in routine and environment can bring this behaviour about too.

Please take a look at these threads and try not to worry, It looks worse than it is. Sometimes one will try to get away or will squeal, but again, this looks and sounds worse than it is. Almost all pairs or groups of pigs will show this behaviour from time to time, some more than others, and it really is totally normal.

Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

I assume both of your piggies are sows?
Are they youngsters who have just started this behaviour?

hi they are young and have just started x

 

[Critter]

To be honest I suspected so
This is a normal stage that many if not most pairs of piggies will go through. They are entering a phase in their lives when their hormones are kicking in as they start to go through their 'teenage' years. It can be a turbulent time while they learn to deal with their new feelings and to establish which role each will have. This stage can go on for several months past their 1st birthday, but should remain mild with some chases and rumbles and minor bickering, and should not lead to full-on fights.

It very likely indeed that they will calm down in general from 18 months old onwards - they often become more confident and relaxed in themselves. Their hierarchy may be established much sooner, perhaps very soon, but each will likely have the occasional try at being boss anyhow. The established boss may ignore it at times if she is confident in her role.... and each time one is on heat (around every 15 days or so) she is likely to get pushy with the other, no matter what her position in the pair or group is
How long it goes on for and to what extent is often determined by personalities of both, and both of their personalities are still developing. While some are born with a tendency to be relaxed and easy-going, others are bossy from the start. Whilst hormones can make them play up a bit no matter what their base personality is, you still may see that one is usually more easy-going than the other. When both are bossy things may drag on longer.

 

[flowerfairy]

My two sows do this every now and again. Nothing to worry about as others have said.

Good luck with your new sweeties.

 

[ameliacorbo]

To be honest I suspected so
This is a normal stage that many if not most pairs of piggies will go through. They are entering a phase in their lives when their hormones are kicking in as they start to go through their 'teenage' years. It can be a turbulent time while they learn to deal with their new feelings and to establish which role each will have. This stage can go on for several months past their 1st birthday, but should remain mild with some chases and rumbles and minor bickering, and should not lead to full-on fights.

It very likely indeed that they will calm down in general from 18 months old onwards - they often become more confident and relaxed in themselves. Their hierarchy may be established much sooner, perhaps very soon, but each will likely have the occasional try at being boss anyhow. The established boss may ignore it at times if she is confident in her role.... and each time one is on heat (around every 15 days or so) she is likely to get pushy with the other, no matter what her position in the pair or group is
How long it goes on for and to what extent is often determined by personalities of both, and both of their personalities are still developing. While some are born with a tendency to be relaxed and easy-going, others are bossy from the start. Whilst hormones can make them play up a bit no matter what their base personality is, you still may see that one is usually more easy-going than the other. When both are bossy things may drag on longer.

ty so much x

 

[ameliacorbo]

My two sows do this every now and again. Nothing to worry about as others have said.

Good luck with your new sweeties.

aw thanks for the luck xx

 

[Wiebke]

my guineas are rumbling at each other and sniffing each others butts? One of them is following the other around and annoying her. What do I do? Thank in advance x

Hi! This is very normal behaviour when one of the sows is coming into season. The bum sniffing signal a change in the secretion of pheromones.
Sow Behaviour

If you are worried about the gender, here is a sexing link: Sexing Guinea Pigs: How to Sex a Guinea Pig