Introducing Female Guinea Pigs Help!

[chloegabrielle_]

I recently rescued a guinea pig (female) that had escaped and we could not find the owners. We believe she is not very old as she isn't fully grown. She was living indoors alone, but today I bought a new young piggy (also female) from pets at home and new outdoor hutch- as I didn't want her to be alone. I put them both in the new hutch as it was 'neutral' to them both. The older piggy sometimes chatters her teeth at the younger one, and occasionally chases her but apart from that they seem okay. I'm am just concerned as I have never has guinea pigs before only rabbits! Any advice would be appreciated! I just want them
to get along! thank you x

 

[*kate*]

Hello and Welcome

I acquired an unwanted piggie a few months ago and then adopted a friend for her. I too have got a rabbit and new next to nothing about piggies!

I was worried about their behaviour but you soon learn what is normal!

Your 2 sound as though they are doing completely fine

 

[gus+walter]

I recently rescued a guinea pig (female) that had escaped and we could not find the owners. We believe she is not very old as she isn't fully grown. She was living indoors alone, but today I bought a new young piggy (also female) from pets at home and new outdoor hutch- as I didn't want her to be alone. I put them both in the new hutch as it was 'neutral' to them both. The older piggy sometimes chatters her teeth at the younger one, and occasionally chases her but apart from that they seem okay. I'm am just concerned as I have never has guinea pigs before only rabbits! Any advice would be appreciated! I just want them
to get along! thank you x

It'll take a while to establish who's boss, but they should be ok. Keep an eye out for bites though.

 

[chloegabrielle_]

Okay! Thank you for your help! I'll keep an eye on it but from what I've read, it seems normal! They act very differently to my bunnies!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

Make sure that you have got two sleeping areas and that at the moment, there aren't any hideys with just one exit that can be blocked. chasing the underpiggy out is part of normal dominance behaviour, but tussles can spark off if a piggy is cornered without a way out. Things will hopefully settle down a bit more in a day or two, even though you may see dominance behaviour for a few weeks and especially when one one of the girls is coming into season.

You may find these information threads here helpful:
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-introducing-and-re-introducing-guinea-pigs.38562/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/sow-behaviour.38561/

 

[piggyme234]

Sounds like they are just establishing who is boss. Perfectly normal. Just like what has been said before, keep an eye on them and give them open ended hideys like the bendy log tunnels. Good luck with them, welcome to the wonderful world of piggy ownership.

 

[chloegabrielle_]

They seem to be getting better! Lots of bum sniffing from the older one, and teeth chattering but then she will cuddle up and lick her ears. So I think they are getting better, despite the occasional teeth chattering

 

[Wiebke]

They will settle down together, just give it time!