Piggies With A Love Hate Relationship

[lll91]

Hi, I'm new here and would love some advice...

I have 2 girl guinea pigs around 3 years old, both of whom we've had since birth and have always lives together.

They've always got along fine bar the odd bit of bickering over food/ showing dominance occasionally but recently...

They won't stop arguing, it's been every moment every day for over a week now - coco seems to almost always start the problem by trying to mate with zazzles and constantly rumbling trying to follow her around, which makes zazzles respond with high pitch squeaking and they seem to go for each other often but not actually bite and have never drawn blood.

The odd thing is, whenever we try and separate them they do nothing but try and get closer to each other again, and they will still lie down and relax next to each other like they can't be apart, and then all of a sudden start arguing again, not only am i concerned about their welfare but their constant squeaking is driving me slightly crazy.

Any help, suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated,

thanks in advance!

 

[piggyfan]

Hello and welcome to the forum,

When a guinea pig humps another pig they are trying to show that they are the dominant pig. I think Coco could also be in season as this is when it happens most. Zazzles high pitched sound is to show she is submissive and not a threat. I know this sounds horrible but she is fine and not upset. This is just normal behaviour for guinea pigs. They sound very well bonded and they do not need to be separated at all. These links will help you to understand more about sow behaviour:
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/sow-behaviour.38561/

 

[MushiiPeas]

Hey,

My two sows Buttercup and Baby also have a relationship like this, Buttercup is Baby's mummy. Buttercup can be very bossy and mount Baby after they've been cleaned out and sometimes just generally cos she's feeling moody. However they also snuggle and sleep together and they both do this power grooming thing where the nibble and pull on each others ears, which somebody on here told me in guinea pig language it means i welcome you to part of my group but I'm the boss.

I personally think their behavior sounds normal and i wouldn't separate them because sometimes after separation you can't put the back together...

Good luck but they sound well bonded to me!

 

[AlexAys]

Sound like handbags at dawn to me. Mine always get on better when they feel a bit scared. Unless it is constant bullying of one by the other then I wouldn't worry too much. Whatever goes on between them it is almost always the case that they would be thoroughly miserable seperated.