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My Guineas nose
- Thread starter Natalie11
- Start date
Looks like it might be an injury or is it something stuck on it like a bit of food? have you tried gently wiping with a piece of slightly damp cotton wool to see if it comes away or bleeds?
How old are your boars and what size set up are they in?
How old are your boars and what size set up are they in?
Free Ranger
Forum Donator 2023/24
Hi @Natalie11 I'm going to ask for this to be transferred to the Health and Illness bit or the Behavioural bit as you might get a quicker response 
You might not see actual fighting but there will be warning signs. How old are your boys and how long have they been together, and how long have you had them? Does their enclosure have enough room for two males? Are there possible flashpoints like a favourite hidey with only one entrance they might fight over? You might hear them rumbling at each other while they step and sway their backsides from side-to-side... they do this to show dominance. Or you might hear 'chuttering' or squealing - lots of noises that sound like a squeaky argument. Or they may lunge at each other and chatter teeth in an openly aggressive way. Is one preventing the other from eating? Do they actively avoid each other? Or are they friends and hang out together peacefully most of the time.
With the girls I know a back-kick is a good way to repel another pig approaching too close from behind but I don't know whether boys are the same. If this has happened it's possibly a mistake in judgement and poor piggy has been accidentally caught by the claw, but it's important to keep an eye out for signs of stress between your two because if their bond is struggling things can become worse.
That said, bear in mind it can be tempting to think "I'll split them for now, just in case" BUT if they are split for any length of time they will have to be 'reintroduced' - that's the piggy way. They don't just think "Hey, it's my long lost friend!" it's more "He's going to take all my stuff! And he wants to be the boss! I'd better show what I'm made of!" I'd suggest you don't split unless you're pretty sure they are fighting. Good luck x
You might not see actual fighting but there will be warning signs. How old are your boys and how long have they been together, and how long have you had them? Does their enclosure have enough room for two males? Are there possible flashpoints like a favourite hidey with only one entrance they might fight over? You might hear them rumbling at each other while they step and sway their backsides from side-to-side... they do this to show dominance. Or you might hear 'chuttering' or squealing - lots of noises that sound like a squeaky argument. Or they may lunge at each other and chatter teeth in an openly aggressive way. Is one preventing the other from eating? Do they actively avoid each other? Or are they friends and hang out together peacefully most of the time.
With the girls I know a back-kick is a good way to repel another pig approaching too close from behind but I don't know whether boys are the same. If this has happened it's possibly a mistake in judgement and poor piggy has been accidentally caught by the claw, but it's important to keep an eye out for signs of stress between your two because if their bond is struggling things can become worse.
That said, bear in mind it can be tempting to think "I'll split them for now, just in case" BUT if they are split for any length of time they will have to be 'reintroduced' - that's the piggy way. They don't just think "Hey, it's my long lost friend!" it's more "He's going to take all my stuff! And he wants to be the boss! I'd better show what I'm made of!" I'd suggest you don't split unless you're pretty sure they are fighting. Good luck x
Free Ranger
Forum Donator 2023/24
PS... any chance it's a bit of soil?
Natalie11
New Born Pup
Thank you for responding back to me
We have wiped his nose it bleeding, I think they are fighting because they are chattering their teeth which I believe is a sign of aggression they are 4 month, they came in an indoor hutch today because the weather but have been in a large guinea pig run for regular exercise daily .. the cages we have are large enough I did check with them before buying in the pet store . Xx
We have wiped his nose it bleeding, I think they are fighting because they are chattering their teeth which I believe is a sign of aggression they are 4 month, they came in an indoor hutch today because the weather but have been in a large guinea pig run for regular exercise daily .. the cages we have are large enough I did check with them before buying in the pet store . Xx
What size are the hutches, runs etc? Please be warned that most pet shops do not sell a standard cage big enough for 2 boars.
A change in set up can cause an upset in even a well bonded pair of piggies.
A change in set up can cause an upset in even a well bonded pair of piggies.
Chattering their teeth can be normal, but it can also be a sign that things are tense between them depending on the severity of the chattering.
They have hit their teens now which is when any issues can start to show. If they are fighting and causing injuries, then I am afraid its possible their bond is broken.
What are the measurements of their cage?
Lack of space can cause issues but character is the most important factor so even a very large cage won’t help if they don’t like each other
They have hit their teens now which is when any issues can start to show. If they are fighting and causing injuries, then I am afraid its possible their bond is broken.
What are the measurements of their cage?
Lack of space can cause issues but character is the most important factor so even a very large cage won’t help if they don’t like each other
Siikibam
Forum Donator 2022/23
Boars need a cage minimum 150x60cm, but we recommend 180x60cm or 6ft hutch. Pet shops don’t tend to have that size cage in so it’s likely it’s not big enough.
Teeth chattering isn’t necessarily a sign of aggression and fighting. Lack of space can cause issues and also lack of compatibility. There can only be one dominant and one submissive boar. They can’t both be dominant.
Four months is also the start of their teenage months and when the hormones start their rampage. It’s a testing time for even the best bonded pair. You should also bear in mind that the space they’re closed in has to meet their minimum size requirements, whether or not they’re free roaming or have lots of space during the day.
Have a read of the guides below and see where they sit in terms of their dominance behaviour.
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Teeth chattering isn’t necessarily a sign of aggression and fighting. Lack of space can cause issues and also lack of compatibility. There can only be one dominant and one submissive boar. They can’t both be dominant.
Four months is also the start of their teenage months and when the hormones start their rampage. It’s a testing time for even the best bonded pair. You should also bear in mind that the space they’re closed in has to meet their minimum size requirements, whether or not they’re free roaming or have lots of space during the day.
Have a read of the guides below and see where they sit in terms of their dominance behaviour.
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Natalie11
New Born Pup
Thank you we have a 6foot hutch outside in the shed warm and protected but not over heated. He is going to see the vet tomorrow.
Thank you for all of your help, I will read the behaviour on them now. I never had this with our previous pair (they were females)
Thanks so much to all of you really appreciate it x
Thank you for all of your help, I will read the behaviour on them now. I never had this with our previous pair (they were females)
Thanks so much to all of you really appreciate it x
All piggies need to be compatible to have a functioning bond - sows can fall out just as easily as boars do, but boars can be a little trickier. Your previous pair were obviously very well matched.
Teen boars can just be harder work once hormones kick in so: ensuring they have a lot of space (a 6ft hutch is great for them), that all hides have two exits so that no piggy can get trapped inside an area and that you respect their hierarchy and always handle the dominant first. However, compatibility comes first and if they dont get on then nothing you do is going to make any difference to that unfortunately.
Let us know how things go at the vet
Teen boars can just be harder work once hormones kick in so: ensuring they have a lot of space (a 6ft hutch is great for them), that all hides have two exits so that no piggy can get trapped inside an area and that you respect their hierarchy and always handle the dominant first. However, compatibility comes first and if they dont get on then nothing you do is going to make any difference to that unfortunately.
Let us know how things go at the vet
Natalie11
New Born Pup
I will thank you, just worried of the cut getting infected by his nose and just want him checked as a precaution to make sure he is okay. You are all very helpful thank you
Siikibam
Forum Donator 2022/23
If they don’t survive their teens together (I’ve got everything crossed that they will though) then you will have to arrange so that they can still interact through a divider. All the best at the vets.