Help with new guinea pigs please....

[Mich8]

Hi
Can anyone please help/advise on what I can do with my two new guinea pigs...

Just a quick outline of their story........ I got them from a local garden centre on Monday (just to put in quickly here that I am totally for rescue animals). One had a piece of hay embedded in his eye and when I pointed this out to the staff they went to just pull it out. Decided to get the two of them and take the injured one to my vet. Anyway he is making a good recovery I hope.

The problem I now have is that these two pigs do not get on at all.... The younger one is very territorial and quite aggressive (have found a small wound on the older one that has scabbed over). They are supposed to be father and son.
So what are my options here..... will neutering help or is there no chance that these two get on ?

Any advice/suggestions would be really appreciated
Thanks

 

[amy104]

Hi I'm not much help here I'm afraid as only ever bonded twice and both times it was straight forward. However I do know that neutering will not help the behaviour in guinea pigs in the same was it does rabbit so this wouldn't really help. Hopefully someone will be along soon to help.

 

[Wiebke]

Neutering won't help. Try to give them EVERYTHING in twos -bowls, huts, waterbottles, toys... and as much space as possible.

If that still doesn't work you may have to consider separating them. If you have the space, you might like to try an rebond your boys with another piggie or if you haven't and don't want anymore piggies, you can try and have them side by side, so they can keep in contact through the mesh, and hopefully share run/play time.

Some boys fall out over the stress of moving home and channging environment; it could be just that.

 

[Mich8]

Thank you
I have now got two water bottles, two feeding dishes, well two of everything.
I will give it some time and see if they settle a bit.
Both guinea pigs are lovely on their own, easy to handle etc.
After watching them for a while earlier, one has now taken up residence at the top of the hutch and the other is at the bottom. Both have water and food.
I can only hope they settle down.