hello

[toto]

hello.
Ihave a problem and I was wondering whether anyone could help me out. I have two guinea pigs, both males, the big one is roughly 8 months older. they`ve been living together for almost a year now and the smaller one has been constantly biting the hair off the older one.
the older one seems to have lost weight and it feels like he is hollow on the inside. i don`t think he is sick though, as he eats like crazy and is pretty active.
i`m contemplating giving the younger one away; but i know they need company of their own kind.
what should i do? separate them?
anyone have any idea why the younger one is acting this way?
thanks!

 

[CiaraPatricia]

I don't think the hair biting is bad, maybe it's just grooming? Does he chase the other one or try to bite him, or make a teeth chattering sound at him? Thatd be aggressive

Do they eat together and sleep together? If so then they're probably friends.

The one that has lost weight could have worms or something? or be sick in some other way. It's not a good sign if they lose weight so I'd take him to the vet anyway.

Are they about a year or two old still?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

Barbering (eating hair) is not uncommon among guinea pigs and is NOT harmful. It is no reason for separating guinea pigs. Only bloody fights with bites are. Your older boy will feel much more lonely without his friend.
Here is more about barbering: http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/barbering.htm

Boar behaviour and when to separate:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=28949

Slow weight loss is as worrying as sudden weight loss. Are you weighing your
boys weekly or in case of the older boy, daily? I would strongly recommend that you so, so you have a better idea of when and how much a piggy is losing.

I would strongly recommend seeing a vet. One possible way to make a start is thinking about worming and having his molars (back teeth) checked for overgrowth.

Here are more possible causes for weight loss:
http://www.guinealynx.info/anorexia.html

 

[Lisajazz]

Someone else on here had a similar situation with 2 boars and the older one losing weight. She seperated and got different pigs as the weight loss WAS down to being bullied.

Is he eating the hair (chopping the hair) or pulling it out at the root?

Leaving either pig alone isn't a solution though they do need company.

 

[toto]

Both. he is pulling the hair out at the root and chewing it. also he is always chasing the older one around and pulls his hair when the older one stands up and puts his paws on the edge of the cage (the little one just recently managed to stand on the edge).