Firstly I am completely new to Guinea pigs but I got two female Guinea pigs about 2 months old and put them in their cage but they dont seem to like each other and one chases the other away. Especially a night when they go into their little hut at the back. I am a bit worried as the one that is chased mustn't get much rest it also makes frightened scared noises. Is this normal or not and if not what should I do. Ps. I got them about 4 days ago
One guinea pig chasing another
- Thread starter SamHJ7
- Start date
Siikibam
Forum Donator 2022/23
The one doing the chasing may be in season. Hopefully it will calm down soon. It may also be dominance. Since they’ve moved from where they were, they may need to sort out the hierarchy again.
The noise sounds worse than it is - it’s just a submissive noise. They won’t always lay next to each other. Do you have two huts? I assume it’s a hide?
The noise sounds worse than it is - it’s just a submissive noise. They won’t always lay next to each other. Do you have two huts? I assume it’s a hide?
Lady Kelly
Senior Guinea Pig
Can you just clarify when you got the piggies as you above post claims both 2 months ago and 4 days ago?
The noises you are hearing are not frightened noises but squeals of submission. She is not being hurt but is being very vocal in telling her friend that she's happy to be the under piggy
The noises you are hearing are not frightened noises but squeals of submission. She is not being hurt but is being very vocal in telling her friend that she's happy to be the under piggy
If you have new guinea pigs it is also very important to make sure that they have 2 of everything (houses, water bottles and food dishes) so that they can both have access to these while they are settling in.
Please try and make sure they have 2 little houses to hide in, so both of them can have a safe place.
If you post a picture of their set up we can offer further advice.
Four days isn't very long and they will still be extremely shy and scared.
A good place to start to learn more about how to care for them would be here:
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
Please try and make sure they have 2 little houses to hide in, so both of them can have a safe place.
If you post a picture of their set up we can offer further advice.
Four days isn't very long and they will still be extremely shy and scared.
A good place to start to learn more about how to care for them would be here:
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
A bit off topic as well as you are here do you any other tips and tricks to get them to trust me and pick them up because they just just and hide. I do leave them alone but it would be nice to stroke them. Thanks
Lady Kelly
Senior Guinea Pig
Dominance behaviours take longer than 4 days to settle down. Looking at around 2 weeks really. Have a look through the forum guides in the top bar. Lots of useful info for new owners on handling and building trust
Siikibam
Forum Donator 2022/23
What’s the size of their cage? I can’t really tell from the photos but it looks to be on the small side...
Getting them to trust you takes one, it’s still early days. You can try and pick them up using a tube or hide. When you’re approaching where they are, talk to them. Try and hand feed if they will take food from you. Sit by the cage and talk to them. If you get them out, maybe give them a treat or a sprig of coriander. There’s a thread on Guinean pig whispering with plenty more tips - I can’t link it at the moment.
Getting them to trust you takes one, it’s still early days. You can try and pick them up using a tube or hide. When you’re approaching where they are, talk to them. Try and hand feed if they will take food from you. Sit by the cage and talk to them. If you get them out, maybe give them a treat or a sprig of coriander. There’s a thread on Guinean pig whispering with plenty more tips - I can’t link it at the moment.
Lady Kelly
Senior Guinea Pig
You may find that if the cage doesn't meet the minimum size guidance from RSPCA/humane society that the dominance and bickering doesn't calm down as they don't have adequate space to get away from each other. Before I joined this forum I brought a 100cm cage as advertised for piggies and adopted two girls, the younger one was constantly getting injured from being pushed away so I had to upgrade the cage which improved their relationship.