One very naughty boy that we need help with!

[rexywins]

We got our boys (Gilbert and George) in the middle of August, they're brothers who we got at the same time. Recently this problem has become much worse, and I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this or knows of any remedies. They live inside in our lounge, and have a big indoor cage, plently of hiding places in their cage, and have an adventure playground set up for them to exercise in and run around in.
To put it simply George rapes Gilbert, I think that's fair to say! There isn't always sounds/behaviour before this happens. For example tonight Gilbert was eating out of their food bowl, when George leapt up behind him and then just mounted Gilbert and really went for it. This happened a few more times, in that situation. He also chases Gilbert around their cage trying to hump him. It's not just rubbing, it is serious, and not nice to see Gilbert have to go through it! They have a loofah ball in their cage which George will also mount and hump away on. I think that George knows that it's not nice, because if Gilbert gets behind him he will lift his rear end and aim urine at Gilbert, usually on his face. However Gilbert has never tried to hump George.
They don't fight, bite or argue with each other in any other way. However, I'm worried that sooner or later Gilbert is going to get very fed up and bite George, as tonight especially he kept turning when trying to get away and looked as if he may bite, but he didn't.
They get on perfectly well, curling up together, 'kissing' each other, grooming each other.
Has anyone got any suggestions please?!
Thanks

 

[flintstones]

I had to laugh at george rapes gilbert , unfortunately what you will probably find it is a dominance issue, and will go on though the terrible teens so to speak and sadly nothing you can do will stop George doing this.

He wants to be top dog and is putting Gilbert in his place! You will probably find he will be the boss.

What I would recommend is watching to make sure Gilbert does not become withdrawn, also a good idea is to weigh pigs regularly, ie weekly if they are still growing which I believe they will be, Generally when a pig becomes withdrawn or is ill they will lose weight this is a good indicator something is not right .

How old are the boys?

 

[Wiebke]

Have a look at this link about boar behaviour:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=28949

From the dates given, I assume that your boys are about 4-7 months old and in the midst of the "big hormones" where they have to demonstrate who is the most macho boy EVER!

Humping and rumbling is a constant part of boy life, but hopefully, they will quieten down a lot once they reach adulthood at about one year old.

Until then, make sure they have lots of space (or an indoors run) and everything in twos, from hides, bowls, water bottles etc.

If the underpig becomes withdrawn and loses weight or if there are bloody fights you will have to think about separating, but not before then.

 

[rexywins]

Thanks for your replies.
I think they're about 7 months old.

We are quite concerned as it is quite violent sexual aggression, and if George was human he'd be jailed indefinately for the things that he's doing to poor Gilbert. I don't think that Gilbert's weight is anything to be concerned about in terms of being underweight, as he's quite a large boy. We are splitting their food in different parts of the cage; there's lots of exercise with the predator chasing the prey, so to speak.

I was wondering if neutering is recommended, as when there's been issues of aggressive humping in my pet dogs I've had them 'done' and it's stopped the behaviour. Obviously I'm not sure if that transfers over to the guinea pig side of things.

 

[flintstones]

It's the hormonal stage, Unfortunately neutering will not help the situation the guinea pig in question will continue this behaviour as it's not sexual anyway and even if it was he would still do it makes no difference just stops them producing off spring, it is most likely a dominance issue.

I understand it can be quite horrific to watch but it is different for piggies they are animals not humans this is how they behave, well some, he should calm down over time. How long has this behaviour been going on for?

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with his weight, but it is a good idea to monitor it as if he becomes withdrawn because of the situation, he will start losing weight and that is a clear indication he is not happy with the situation at this point you should intervene or if Gilbert stops eating.

Also illness is generally recognised by the animal losing weight as guinea pigs are prey animals they hide illness very well and can go down hill very quickly.

 

[Niki]

We are quite concerned as it is quite violent sexual aggression, and if George was human he'd be jailed indefinately for the things that he's doing to poor Gilbert. I don't think that Gilbert's weight is anything to be concerned about in terms of being underweight, as he's quite a large boy. We are splitting their food in different parts of the cage; there's lots of exercise with the predator chasing the prey, so to speak.

I was wondering if neutering is recommended, as when there's been issues of aggressive humping in my pet dogs I've had them 'done' and it's stopped the behaviour. Obviously I'm not sure if that transfers over to the guinea pig side of things.

I have to say that whilst it may look sexual, it's NOT. It is purely a display of dominance
Neutering does nothing to piggy behaviour, it only stops their ability to reproduce.
Talking of dogs; we have 2 males, 1 female (all are neutered/spayed) & our female dog regularly "humps" the other 2 - again it is purely dominant behaviour.

Your boys, will hopefully, calm down