Some advice please!

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WendyWoo

We have two boys and they are from the litter at the pet shops and they have been fine together for the 4 days we have had them! Its really funny how they act with each other! I am pretty certain my black piggie Gomez is the more dominant one and seems to be far more independant than his brother Obama who squeals really loudly when he is not near or he can't see him. Obama is however really curious. They cuddle each other in their bed but what I am wondering is what are their chances of fighting together in the future. So far the play wonderfully together and haven't fought over food!
 
I think litter mates are normally ok together! Squabbles are very common within all groups. Mounting rumbling and a purring sound are common aswell as they do this to assert dominance. It may sound a stupid question but are you 100% sure they are both male not all pet shops are very good at sexing. I have to boys who live together and are fine they have disputes but have never drawn blood and 9 times out 9of 10 get on fine. Welcome to the forum and good luck!
 
Yeah me and my husband are pretty certain they are boys! We checked with the pet shop and ourselves and from what I can tell and from help of the internet they seems to look the same if you get me! If we have babies we will deal with it when/if we have to!
 
If you apply a little pressure above the gentials and something pops out there boys. boys general tend to look like an I girls a Y. I'm only saying as i started with 2 and now have 6. Due to incorrect sexing. As for living together I'm sure they will be fine.
 
I'm sure they'll be ok together as long as they are never seperated for any length of time and there are no girl pigs around! :) I have 2 boys who have been together since very young and although they've had the occasional squabble they get on great! If you do find they start fighting lots it may be worth thinking of having them neutered but i'd see how they go for now!
 
I take it that the boys are quite young?

Littermates generally get on well but guinea pigs are very individual and they don't read any rule books. If they do start to squabble then it can be anytime between 5 months and 12 months old (again generally speaking).

The squabbling may just be an odd rumble or it may be very territorial and lead to blocking sleeping quarters/food bowls/drink bottles. It can also move on to physical fighting. But this isn't always the case so please don't worry, just enjoy them.

The best I can advise you is to get to know your piggies really well, their behaviour patterns etc , as any changes in this need to be monitored. The other advice is to give them plenty of hutch space, as much as you possibly can, plenty of floor time too and two houses, water bottles, food bowls.

Pigs will often fall out over resources (shelter, water, food) if they don't have to compete it lessens the risk of squabbles.



Please remember though that there are lots and lots of people who have pairs of boys and never have any problems with them throughout their lives. If you provide stimulation and space you'll increase your chances of having a successful pair too.

Enjoy your piggies x






PS In my experience, neutering is not an answer to fighting, it doesn't alter their behaviour and is an unnecessary risk.
 
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They are about 8 weeks old not far off 9 weeks and they have been together pretty much from day one from what I know. They have two feeding bowls and two homes and one water bottle and they are getting floor space pretty much everyday so far and they will always except for the occasional time we can't manage for whatever reason. They are both very needy I am guessing because after reading a bit on here I went to check on them and they weren't very happy when my husband took one to cuddle and pet and I took the other. They only settled once together with them speaking away. Seems to be encourging so far! Hope I don't have to separate them as ill be gutted!
 
From what you have said, it all sounds very promising up to now. They are bound to have a little disagreement every now and again. At the mo, my slightly younger boar Alfie, seems to be a wee bit fruity if you know what i mean, but George went through the same thing, and as a result, seems to be quite patient with him ( most of the time:))) But these things tend to blow over, And you sound like your doing a great job!

I have to say, if you can relax about it, and not panic to much if you see them getting abit rumbly or such, it can be quite entertaining to watch, if George could speak, I'd swear he'd be saying " for goods sake!" to Alfie last night! He just had this really unimpressed expresion on his face:))!

Good luck with it all, i'm sure all will be fine x
 
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