Should I Separate My Guinea Pigs?

[Roxas Skies]

Hi everyone! I've gotten into a bit of a predicament with my two girls, Macaroni (1 year old) and Cannoli (4 month old). Macaroni is clearly the dominant guinea pig. She chases Cannoli and nips at her butt a lot which I'm pretty sure is normal in the bonding process. However, Macaroni doesn't like sharing anything with Cannoli. Cannoli can't eat, drink, or go into any of the hideouts (they have multiple exits) without Macaroni chasing her off or biting her, sometimes at the neck which i don't know if that's normal or not. Macaroni isn't drawing any blood, but if I keep them together Cannoli doesn't eat or hydrate. Their cage is 30" by 70" inches. Maybe its too small or narrow? I try to give them some play time when I'm able to supervise and its fine until Cannoli tries to take a bite of food or a drink of water. I even added a second bottle and MULTIPLE bowls and haystacks but Macaroni won't let Cannoli use any of them. And Cannoli is terrified of Macaroni. It started with your common freezing up when Macaroni approaches, but its gotten to the point where she starts shaking and teeth chattering when Macaroni comes near. I don't know if that's normal or not? Even when i have the barrier between them, when Macaroni comes up to it to sniff Cannoli, Cannoli runs to the opposite side of the cage and starts teeth chattering at her. Cannoli is really social with humans, so I don't think she just has a shy personality. I'm not sure what to do because I know they need each others company but Cannoli needs to eat too.
And I'm not sure if it has anything to do with it but Macaroni was poorly treated by her past owner. She was kept in a tiny pet store cage with another guinea pig (who apparently died of poor health) and she wasn't being fed hay or veggies at all. just pellets. I don't know if maybe this could be why she's so protective of food? I'd love to hear what you guys think because I'm at a loss.

 

[Siikibam]

It doesn’t sound like a healthy bond. Have you been weighing them weekly? What has Cannoli’s weight been like? That’s the best way to tell if she’s truly being allowed to eat enough.

Sows will generally nip and not bite/fight. But given that Macaroni chatters her teeth even when separated isn’t a particularly good sign.

Top pig will get pick of the hide and where to eat. When handling or hand feeding etc, do you always deal with top pig first? And do you scatter the veg?

I’ve just seen the bit about her going for the throat. How did Cannoli act during separation? When you separate you go by how the underpig behaves. If she seems okay and happy then that may be your cue.

Wait for others more experienced with sows to answer. Meanwhile have a read of the guides I’ve linked below.
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

 

[Roxas Skies]

I don't have anything to weigh them with but it sounds like something i should invest in. I scatter the veggies, and Macaroni won't let me hand feed her. Cannoli eats out of my hand no problem but if i try hand feeding Macaroni she gets scared. The closest I've gotten to hand feeding Macaroni is putting a piece of veggie at her feet and she immediately gobbled it up (she froze when I tried offering it from my hand). Cannoli is hard to read when they're separated, because some days she'll be super active and adventurous and other days she looks a little down.

 

[Siikibam]

How long have you had them? Some are more timid than others. If she won’t take hand feeding then give her some more time before you try again.

Kitchen scales also work so if you have some you could use them.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I agree with siikibam. If one is not being allowed to eat then that is a sign of a problem.
Their cage is a good size for two sows (170cm x 77cm) but having lots of space won’t make them like each other.
This guide might help you make the decision on their bond
Bonds In Trouble

In terms of hand feeding, one of mine was taking food from me after six weeks. It took the other piggy a year and a half before he trusted me enough.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

You may find our New Owners guide collection very helpful; it will answer most of your questions in more detail than we can in any post and also give you the tools to work out what is going on. We have also included a whole chapter in human-cavy interaction, which includes information on prey animal instincts and a little course in guinea pig whispering. We also have a chapter with information on life-long health monitoring with all the practical tips and information what to look out for exactly. You may want to bookmark the link, browse, read and re-read at need. Here is the link: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

It sounds like a case of bullying to me. Sow bonds do have less failures and fall-outs than boars because they are more wired to cooperate but as every piggy bond relies on mutual liking and character compatilibity this is not always a given when you buy your piggies for looks and not for who they are hanging out with or adopt a stably bonded pair from a reputable guinea pig rescue. Yours sound unfortunately like they are not a match and should not be together. Please conduct a trial separation to see whether the bullied sow is perking up noticeably as soon as she is away from the other - that is the best way of getting her honest opinion of the situation on whether the bond is viable or not. If she wants to be back, then you also have got an answer. But my money is unfortunately on her being much happier with a divider.
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Moody guinea pigs: Depression, Bullying, Aggression, Stress, Fear and Antisocial Behaviour
Bonds In Trouble