Squabbling Girls

[Sian_D]

Hi

I was hoping for a little bit of advice. I have recently got two young girl piggies. I have had Guinea pigs before but it has been quite a while.

My two girls, Gurty and Gretel, were born in a rescue from two different mums, however Gretel's mum didn't feed her so they ended up feeding from the same mum and have been together since birth. I brought them home last weekend, and they are now 9 weeks old.

When I first brought them home they stayed together in the same hut (though were both very nervous). They are still quite nervous but getting better, and noticed that they are now always in different huts. Have now realised that this is because every time Gretel goes into the bigger hut with Gurty, there is a lot of squealing and Gurty chases Gretel out. It surprises me as Gretel is a lot more brave and confident around me and is bigger.

I'm guessing this is domineering behavior to figure out top piggie, I just wanted to make sure it was normal, especially for a pair that have always been together? And how long should I let it go on before I take action? Anything I can do to help it stop would be great too.

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

My girls occasionally do that too. I believe they may have just annoyed one and other, other than that my girls get on fine.
It is normal.

 

[Wiebke]

It sounds like typical dominance behaviour and it can last up to a few weeks. Don't interfere even if it is not nice to watch. they will pick up with their friendhsip afterwards. the vast majority of piggies like to at least spend some time on their own; some can be best of friends without snuggling up!

Which piggy comes top hasn't got much to do with size or how people friendly they are (the dominant ones often prefer to keep their distance, actually). The first top sow of my big group for the better part of three years was also one of the smallest!

You may find this information thread here helpful: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/sow-behaviour.38561/

 

[Sian_D]

That's reassuring, thank you. It is quite hard to watch poor Gretel get charged at every time she goes near Gurty, but hopefully they will calm down soon!

 

[Wiebke]

Best feed them in different bowls, at least a body length apart; chasing an underpiggy off food is another way of throwing somepig's weight around. If the chasing is very bad, you can replace the huts with cardboard boxes with two doors cut in, so an underpiggy can't be trapped.