i cant tell if they like eachother

[mackenzieluvslife]

My two girls are from different litters, and Mocha really likes Latte, tries to follow her around and cuddle next to her, but Latte always snaps. I know that Latte is asserting dominance but how long should it last? I’ve had the guinea pigs for 3 months and Latte is still not over it.

 

[Wiebke]

My two girls are from different litters, and Mocha really likes Latte, tries to follow her around and cuddle next to her, but Latte always snaps. I know that Latte is asserting dominance but how long should it last? I’ve had the guinea pigs for 3 months and Latte is still not over it.

Hi!

It is a misconception that piggies like to snuggle up; the majority actually won't. Some piggies are more dependent on company than others who come with a wider personal sphere; the same as with humans - you have clingy ones and others that prefer to be left to their own devices. That doesn't necessarily translate into like or dislike or a failed bonding.

Nipping is a very normal, mild dominance gesture which you will see fairly regularly, irrespective of whether piggies are related or not. In fact, the worst and most persistent of my squabblers have generally been sister pairs or triplets, often well into adulthood and sometimes happier with a separation.

 

[mackenzieluvslife]

Hi!

It is a misconception that piggies like to snuggle up; the majority actually won't. Some piggies are more dependent on company than others who come with a wider personal sphere; the same as with humans - you have clingy ones and others that prefer to be left to their own devices. That doesn't necessarily translate into like or dislike or a failed bonding.

Nipping is a very normal, mild dominance gesture which you will see fairly regularly, irrespective of whether piggies are related or not. In fact, the worst and most persistent of my squabblers have generally been sister pairs or triplets, often well into adulthood and sometimes happier with a separation.

How would I be able to tell if it was a failed bonding, like how long would it take to consider it that rather than just setting boundaries, etc, are there possible fixes or is there nothing I can do?

 

[Wiebke]

How would I be able to tell if it was a failed bonding, like how long would it take to consider it that rather than just setting boundaries, etc, are there possible fixes or is there nothing I can do?

You haven't mentioned any of the alarm behaviours for that; just some perfectly normal dominance behaviour. Your girls ARE bonded. It is just not the kind of relationship that you were necessarily expecting.

Please keep in mind that what you see on social media is not the reality. It is what humans want to see of piggies. Who is interested in watching a perfectly normal bond that simply lacks the human-centric cute factor?

You haven't mentioned any big teeth chattering, wild chases, violent chucking out of houses, mouth full of hair, locking an underpiggy into a hut or preventing access to food or water etc.
PS: Don't mistake the shenanigans of a big teenage or adult season for a broken bond.

Please take the time to read these links here:
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)