Possible Bullying? Help!

Kiko+Peanut

Kiko+Peanut

Junior Guinea Pig
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Mar 8, 2018
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Illinois, Usa
Hi everyone! I could use some advice. I did some research but no one has the answers I'm looking for! :yikes::eek:

So I have an almost 2-year-old American Crested piggy named Peanut. She is the sweetest little thing ever! Until I got Kiko last Saturday. Took her to the vet for a check-up. Completely healthy, except for a minor sneezing fit.
Kiko is only a few months old. If that. She is really tiny compared to Peanut. I think Peanut is taking advantage of that. She chases her around the cage sniffing her butt, pretty normal. She also nips at Kiko's face if Kiko is near her. I have a divider in my 2x5 cage so they can get used to each other. When I clean their cage every night after school I set them on my bedroom floor for floor-time. That's when they start. I have them on the floor for hours, I have heard if they are both in a new environment then they will explore together. Not the case.
No blood has been drawn but I am worried about Kiko. She sits there huddled in a ball shivering and her heart is pounding. I don't know if Peanut is bullying her or not.

What should I do?

Here is the size difference in case your wondering.
IMG_20180307_212423.webp
 
Every time you put them together for floor time you're starting the bonding process from scratch. If you want them to live together you need to introduce them during floor time and then leave them until you're happy to move them into a freshly cleaned cage together.
 
Jaycey said:
Every time you put them together for floor time you're starting the bonding process from scratch. If you want them to live together you need to introduce them during floor time and then leave them until you're happy to move them into a freshly cleaned cage together.
Click to expand...

Thank you. :P
 
Kiko+Peanut said:
Hi everyone! I could use some advice. I did some research but no one has the answers I'm looking for! :yikes::eek:

So I have an almost 2-year-old American Crested piggy named Peanut. She is the sweetest little thing ever! Until I got Kiko last Saturday. Took her to the vet for a check-up. Completely healthy, except for a minor sneezing fit.
Kiko is only a few months old. If that. She is really tiny compared to Peanut. I think Peanut is taking advantage of that. She chases her around the cage sniffing her butt, pretty normal. She also nips at Kiko's face if Kiko is near her. I have a divider in my 2x5 cage so they can get used to each other. When I clean their cage every night after school I set them on my bedroom floor for floor-time. That's when they start. I have them on the floor for hours, I have heard if they are both in a new environment then they will explore together. Not the case.
No blood has been drawn but I am worried about Kiko. She sits there huddled in a ball shivering and her heart is pounding. I don't know if Peanut is bullying her or not.

What should I do?

Here is the size difference in case your wondering.
View attachment 82341
Click to expand...

Hi! what you are seeing is normal dominance behaviour as your two girls establish their group hierarchy. They have bonded; now they are working out who's boss.

Nipping is a very judged carefully gesture of power - it just lets the underpiggy feel the teeth; but it doesn't hurt. It is also mild and very normal dominance behaviour.

Please take the time to read our very detailed bonding and social interaction guide, which explains the various bonding dynamics and behaviours. You will find it very helpful for understanding what is going on and for judging whether it is OK or not - and you will find all those behaviours mentioned and explained in the guide.
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

Sow Behaviour
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)
 
Wiebke said:
Hi! what you are seeing is normal dominance behaviour as your two girls establish their group hierarchy. They have bonded; now they are working out whose boss.

Nipping is a very judged carefully gesture of power - it just lets the underpiggy feel the teeth; but it doesn't hurt. It is also mild and very normal dominance behaviour.

Please take the time to read our very detailed bonding and social interaction guide, which explains the various bonding dynamics and behaviours. You will find it very helpful for understanding what is going on and for judging whether it is OK or not - and you will find all those behaviours mentioned and explained in the guide.
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

Sow Behaviour
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)
Click to expand...

That makes sense! Thank you! :lol:
 
I think it would be a good idea to read all the bonding and dominance behaviours threads through and then try a formal introduction on neutral territory. It sounds like Peanut is simply letting Kiko know that she is the boss.
 
VickiA said:
I think it would be a good idea to read all the bonding and dominance behaviours threads through and then try a formal introduction on neutral territory. It sounds like Peanut is simply letting Kiko know that she is the boss.
Click to expand...

I will go read those now. Earlier in the year, I tried bonding her with another piggy. That guinea pig (Danielle) wouldn't let Peanut do anything, if she moved, e Danielle would attack, she drew blood a few times. My mother wouldn't let me keep Danielle because of that. It's weird. When Dani was there, Dani wanted to be dominant and Peanut stood back. But its the opposite for Kiko. Kiko and Danielle were both babies. It's kinda weird.
 
nothing to add to all the good advice above, just wanted to say is Peanut your avatar? she is gorgeous, loving those pink eyes:love:
 
Kiko+Peanut said:
Thank you! Not sure if she is albino or PEW. Peanut sends her hugs and kisses! :love::hug:
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She is neither! If she was albino she would have completely white fur, as she also would if she was a PEW (pink eyed white) Guinea pigs of many colours can have pink eyes, it is just a genetic variation. from the photo she looks like she is dark lilac and cream
 
Pound Shilling & Pig said:
She is neither! If she was albino she would have completely white fur, as she also would if she was a PEW (pink eyed white) Guinea pigs of many colours can have pink eyes, it is just a genetic variation. from the photo she looks like she is dark lilac and cream
Click to expand...

Wow! I never knew! :doh::xd:
 
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