Pigs Fighting

[Anita]

My two girls have today had a scrap, teeth chattering like crazy and flying round the cage like little ninjas! I had to seperate them in the end using a towel. I have tried putting them back together but Pip just goes straight after Maisie and the same thing occurs. Does this mean a permanent seperation as Maisie does like the company but Pip seems a bit of a loner. My C&C cage has an upstairs and Pip chooses to spend all her time alone there. Pip has always been a bit of a bully with Maisie but until now it was just a passing squeak and that was it.

Not nice seeing them fight like that.

I've had them both from babies, Maisie is 4 weeks older and they are now 4 and 5 months old.

 

[Wiebke]

I would let them cool down separately overnight and try a proper re-introduction with all the trimmings tomorrow. If that doesn't work, you have to face up to separation.

While girls do fall out a lot less often than boys, there are the occasional break-ups. Sadly, once a piggy has made up its mind that another piggy is no longer one of "us", that's it!

Here is the link: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38562

 

[Bunny]

Fighting Sows

Yes the above advice works for me too.

 

[Anita]

Thank you very much for the advice. What happens if they cannot live together anymore, both pigs surely need a cage mate to keep them happy? If I separate the two of them I will have to build the C&C upwards not outwards so they will not be able to see each other.

 

[Wiebke]

If possible, I would contact a rescue that is prepared to let your piggies choose their new companions (female or neutered male) and ideally do the initial bonding for you. Try to ring around until you find one that has several candidates, especially for a difficult piggy as Pip.

Most specialist rescue ladies have a lot of experience, so they can tell whether a bonding is going to work out or not; it usually shows pretty quickly.
The more chances you give your girls, the higher the possibility they find a friend they can be happy with. Thankfully, age is not a consideration with sows - they can bond with older as well as younger piggies.

Here is a list of reputable rescues. AS far as I know, the RSPCA does not allow pets to be brought. http://www.guineapigrehome.org.uk/gp/centres.asp

I have gone this way twice whenever a piggy in a pair died; onceending up with two 3 year old sows, and bonding a 3 1/2 year old sow with a 12 month old neutered boar. Both couplings became very dedicated friendships.

Of course, with Pip you may have one of the thankfully very few piggies that simply won't get on with anypig - but hopefully, she can find a friend as well!