Randomly Began Bullying The Other

[Red Star]

So I have Han Solo and Chewbacca, my two male guinea pigs. I've had them almost a year now, and up until very recently they've gotten along very well. They aren't from the same litter but they were housed together at the pet store (I know,, I usually adopt but we needed a youngster for another pig at the time,, long story), and have always gotten along perfectly well together up until now. I noticed Han guarding their one large igloo months ago and got them a second one, and that seemed to fix that one lone behavior. But yeah, so they have never gotten ito any scuffles before, no fights, nothing like that. They both eat, neither steals food from the other none of that stuff.

But the last week or so Han has started picking on Chewy--I noticed a few scabs on his bum from where (I assume) Han has bitten him or pulled hair out. I've heard themm the last week or two get into little fussy fights too, and when I noticed the scabbing on top of that i got pretty worried. Then today while i was cleaning their cage, Han got another good lil chunk of hair out of Chewy and made him bleed, so I've separated them into two separate cages (thank heavens I happened to have their old cage still).

Is this the right thing to do? Are they just going to hate each other like this forever?

My best guess is that a much bigger cage would do them a lot of good, but I sincerely don't have the money at this time to upgrade them, nor do I really have the space, truthfully. I got them at a time where I had the money to afford them the but last few months have been rough. Anyway, I just wanted to ask advice; should I reintroduce them to each other, or just accept that they don't get along and will need to be kept separate from now on?

 

[Wiebke]

So I have Han Solo and Chewbacca, my two male guinea pigs. I've had them almost a year now, and up until very recently they've gotten along very well. They aren't from the same litter but they were housed together at the pet store (I know,, I usually adopt but we needed a youngster for another pig at the time,, long story), and have always gotten along perfectly well together up until now. I noticed Han guarding their one large igloo months ago and got them a second one, and that seemed to fix that one lone behavior. But yeah, so they have never gotten ito any scuffles before, no fights, nothing like that. They both eat, neither steals food from the other none of that stuff.

But the last week or so Han has started picking on Chewy--I noticed a few scabs on his bum from where (I assume) Han has bitten him or pulled hair out. I've heard themm the last week or two get into little fussy fights too, and when I noticed the scabbing on top of that i got pretty worried. Then today while i was cleaning their cage, Han got another good lil chunk of hair out of Chewy and made him bleed, so I've separated them into two separate cages (thank heavens I happened to have their old cage still).

Is this the right thing to do? Are they just going to hate each other like this forever?

My best guess is that a much bigger cage would do them a lot of good, but I sincerely don't have the money at this time to upgrade them, nor do I really have the space, truthfully. I got them at a time where I had the money to afford them the but last few months have been rough. Anyway, I just wanted to ask advice; should I reintroduce them to each other, or just accept that they don't get along and will need to be kept separate from now on?

Take your cue from Chewy - is he still keen to go back to Han? Personally I would think a separation at least for the time being would be best, but you can test the water after a couple of days.

I would also make sure that you have Chewy checked for mange mites or fungal - a skin problem can lead to barbering; it may help you if you can close out this angle.

Please read the tips for re-introductions and bullying in this guide here: Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
" Biting" And What You Can Do
Barbering ( Eating Hair)