Is this normal ?

[NikuS3701]

Hello everyone,
So I got two guinea pigs, both females and I've had them for nearly 10 months, but a few months ago, one of them started regularly 'fighting' (I think, or asserting dominance) the other. It happens maybe once each month for a short while. She circles her, gets all in her face, tries to climb her even sometimes and does this agressive sounding noise.
Making the one she does it to make this like, squeek sad sounding noise.
I'm not sure if it's normal or what I should do. Should I keep them apart for a bit when it happens? I usually take one out for a bit, hoping they'll calm down but when I put them back in the cage, it all starts again.
What are they doing? Is it normal? And how can I help them if help is needed?

Any help is much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Females come into season every few weeks and it will sometimes cause such behaviour. The squeaking is likely submission squeaking and is absolutely fine.
I don’t have sows myself, but I know some can get quite dominant when they are in season. Hopefully someone will be able to give you their first hand experience of sows but in the meantime, the guide below may help you

Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

 

[NikuS3701]

Females come into season every few weeks and it will sometimes cause such behaviour. The squeaking is likely submission squeaking and is absolutely fine.
I don’t have sows myself, but I know some can get quite dominant when they are in season. Hopefully someone will be able to give you their first hand experience of sows but in the meantime, the guide below may help you

Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

Thank you!

 

[Claire W]

It sounds like normal dominance behaviour to me when she is coming in to season.

The submissive squeak that you hear from your other piggy sounds a lot worse to us than it actually is.

 

[Swissgreys]

One thing to consider, depending on your cage set up, is to separate them with a couple of grids for 12 hours when it starts up.
This will allow the non dominant piggy a bit of a break, but they will still be able to see, smell and hear each other and interact through the bars.

Both my girls have the occasional very strong season and all hell breaks loose for a few hours, but if this is a new thing and happening regularly it may be worth popping along to the vet and having your girl checked over to make sure there isn't an underlying problem.