Rumble strutting/chasing-new level

[Mindy87]

Hi! I am new to the forum and guinea pig ownership from Ohio, United States.
Need some guidance/help if you don’t mind
I am the proud owner of 2 of the cutest guinea pig as ever (aren’t we all ) both are sows (Cupcake Almost 6 months and Brownie almost 5 months). I have built a cage for them and just within the last 5 days added a ramp and a small second level. The last 2 days Cupcake has been rumble strutting and chasing (its Not friendly) Brownie around the cage. Cupcakes nose is almost always touching brownies butt when the chasing ensues. Once Brownie feels backed into a corner they start to go around in circles. They have not had any issues until now. I am not sure if Cupcake is coming into teenage years or a dominance thing with the new ramp. When the chasing happens no one is on the hind legs I have not seen biting so far but it does not appear to have any bite marks on each other. I actually put in some corrugated plastic to keep them separated while I type this. Any help is appreciated Attached is their cage currently. Thank you.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! I am new to the forum and guinea pig ownership from Ohio, United States.
Need some guidance/help if you don’t mind
I am the proud owner of 2 of the cutest guinea pig as ever (aren’t we all ) both are sows (Cupcake Almost 6 months and Brownie almost 5 months). I have built a cage for them and just within the last 5 days added a ramp and a small second level. The last 2 days Cupcake has been rumble strutting and chasing (its Not friendly) Brownie around the cage. Cupcakes nose is almost always touching brownies butt when the chasing ensues. Once Brownie feels backed into a corner they start to go around in circles. They have not had any issues until now. I am not sure if Cupcake is coming into teenage years or a dominance thing with the new ramp. When the chasing happens no one is on the hind legs I have not seen biting so far but it does not appear to have any bite marks on each other. I actually put in some corrugated plastic to keep them separated while I type this. Any help is appreciated Attached is their cage currently. Thank you.

Hi and welcome!

Most new owners are not aware that sows also go through their teenage months between 4-14 months of age. Especially in the weeks around 6 months they also often have a hormone high with very strong seasons and lots of dominance behaviour. Unlike with mis-matched boars in often too small cages, fall-outs are however comparatively rare.

Please take the time to read these guide links here, which you will hopefully find very helpful:
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)

You may also want to double-check the gender if you haven't done so upon arrival, just for you own peace of mind: Illustrated Sexing Guide

All the above guides are part of our practical and comprehensive New Owners guide collection, which you may want to bookmark and use as a helpful resource: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[Mindy87]

Hi! I am new to the forum and guinea pig ownership from Ohio, United States.
Need some guidance/help if you don’t mind
I am the proud owner of 2 of the cutest guinea pig as ever (aren’t we all ) both are sows (Cupcake Almost 6 months and Brownie almost 5 months). I have built a cage for them and just within the last 5 days added a ramp and a small second level. The last 2 days Cupcake has been rumble strutting and chasing (its Not friendly) Brownie around the cage. Cupcakes nose is almost always touching brownies butt when the chasing ensues. Once Brownie feels backed into a corner they start to go around in circles. They have not had any issues until now. I am not sure if Cupcake is coming into teenage years or a dominance thing with the new ramp. When the chasing happens no one is on the hind legs I have not seen biting so far but it does not appear to have any bite marks on each other. I actually put in some corrugated plastic to keep them separated while I type this. Any help is appreciated Attached is their cage currently. Thank you.

Hi and welcome!

Most new owners are not aware that sows also go through their teenage months between 4-14 months of age. Especially in the weeks around 6 months they also often have a hormone high with very strong seasons and lots of dominance behaviour. Unlike with mis-matched boars in often too small cages, fall-outs are however comparatively rare.

Please take the time to read these guide links here, which you will hopefully find very helpful:
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)

You may also want to double-check the gender if you haven't done so upon arrival, just for you own peace of mind: Illustrated Sexing Guide

All the above guides are part of our practical and comprehensive New Owners guide collection, which you may want to bookmark and use as a helpful resource: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Thank you for the information. I’m going to continue to read up and check the gender to be on the safe side. It concerned me because Cupcake just seems relentless toward Brownie. Brownie is only taking so much before she just tried to bite Cupcake on the back. Brownie had an abscess under neck from a scratch a month ago. Antibiotics cleared that up .
Again, I appreciate your help and guidance.