Not Sure If I Should Worry Or Not Xd

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Squeaky_Ewok

Squeaky_Ewok

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hey guys!
Basically having a hard time deciding if my two pigs actually like each other not, lately Tinsel the younger pig who I adopted for Gi Gi, started the habit of mounting, some head raising, rumbling and some nipping trying to gain dominance and the first couple of times were only like once in say 3 months now it is more frequent the past week. I think however it has started because I moved them to my bfs house while I looked after his parents dogs, but they have no piggies so I think it was just the moving in to a new area that started them off? But I am just unsure if I should worry because once it has settled down they are fine (touch wood) but I feel like it is stressing Gi Gi out? When I take him away from Tinsel he desperately squeaks for him back but then gi gi doesn't seem to care when it is the other way around so I have no idea :( There hasn't been any blood drawn or anything I'm just worried about if they are happy or not :/ Any help is great! :)
 
How old are your guineas? If Tinsel is hitting his hormonal phase he might be challenging for dominance - this happened with my 2 boys (Junior was 3 years old when we adopted 4 month old Stewart) - when Stewart realised that he was about the same size as Junior, he started pushing for dominance. When things are new and different they will work out who 'owns' things very quickly, they are most likely just sorting out how things are going to go. It's been 2 years and I still get a scuffle, chase and the odd teeth chatter when they get in each other's way.
 
Oh I think they are just squabbling for dominance, I know its stressful to watch but dont worry to much yet unless the agression escalates.
 
I agree with @Goth Mummy - if one of the pair appears obviously distressed (but not harmed) them maybe a short time out might be beneficial - it provides a distraction for both and it works for my 2. If things do escalate to violence then separate, but never put your hands in - you run a mighty big risk of getting hurt.
You may find this thread useful to work out what your piggies are doing:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/
 
Sounds like my Hazelnut and Peanut Butter and they've been together for about 3 years now. So, very normal to me! Peanut Butter is the younger and came for companionship to Hazelnut. But at 3 years old PB is well out of the teenage hormonal phase. However, he is still the one who does the mounting, but vocally objects to being away from Hazelnut and is forever trying to cuddle up to him. Hazelnut just shrugs PB off, never cries for him and usually runs to a different hidey when PB snuggles up. But in the past year Hazelnut has allowed PB to cuddle up to him occasionally, so I think after all this time they are at least tolerant of each other.
 
PottyForPiggies said:
How old are your guineas? If Tinsel is hitting his hormonal phase he might be challenging for dominance - this happened with my 2 boys (Junior was 3 years old when we adopted 4 month old Stewart) - when Stewart realised that he was about the same size as Junior, he started pushing for dominance. When things are new and different they will work out who 'owns' things very quickly, they are most likely just sorting out how things are going to go. It's been 2 years and I still get a scuffle, chase and the odd teeth chatter when they get in each other's way.
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Tinsel is about 8/9 months old Gi Gi is nearly two (awww old man!) And thanks for the advice! It's getting regular so I think I'm not as worried anymore as no serious damage has been done yet touch wood! :tu:
 
Goth Mummy said:
Oh I think they are just squabbling for dominance, I know its stressful to watch but dont worry to much yet unless the agression escalates.
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Thank you for the advice I think I've calmed down now haha I probably get more stressed out than GiGi xD
 
Lilly said:
Sounds like my Hazelnut and Peanut Butter and they've been together for about 3 years now. So, very normal to me! Peanut Butter is the younger and came for companionship to Hazelnut. But at 3 years old PB is well out of the teenage hormonal phase. However, he is still the one who does the mounting, but vocally objects to being away from Hazelnut and is forever trying to cuddle up to him. Hazelnut just shrugs PB off, never cries for him and usually runs to a different hidey when PB snuggles up. But in the past year Hazelnut has allowed PB to cuddle up to him occasionally, so I think after all this time they are at least tolerant of each other.
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That does sound strangely like my two just switch the ages round as the youngest Tinsel always tries to creep up to him when they're having a lie down I feel so sad for him but it is adorable poor Tin :(
 
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