Sudden Aggression From Sow

[basicpiggies]

Hi everyone. I have three guinea pigs. Two of them I adopted at the same time and they’ve always been glued at the hip and very close. Starting last night, one of them has seemed to not be able to coexist with the other one. Even if her friend passes her, she starts loudly chattering and getting into a fight-like stance, which of course triggers a fight response in the other one. The most they have done is chase and leap at each other to nibble, but no blood has been drawn. The aggressor, though, seems to not be able to stand the presence of the other one, and keeps initiating little brawls that usually end in a nibble or two.

What could this mean?

My thoughts were maybe she was in heat or something and trying to assert her dominance over her friend (as they’re both pretty much the same age, and she isn’t really bothering the 3-year-old “bosspig” of the cage)

Or it could be a sign of pain, discomfort, or illness - and we are going to bring her for a checkup if the random aggression continues. She shows no other signs of illness or pain, though, and is acting normal otherwise.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. I’ve had guinea pigs mount and chase each other for random periods of time, but never the nipping and loud chattering. Thank you!

 

[Sabrina-piggy]

Hi everyone. I have three guinea pigs. Two of them I adopted at the same time and they’ve always been glued at the hip and very close. Starting last night, one of them has seemed to not be able to coexist with the other one. Even if her friend passes her, she starts loudly chattering and getting into a fight-like stance, which of course triggers a fight response in the other one. The most they have done is chase and leap at each other to nibble, but no blood has been drawn. The aggressor, though, seems to not be able to stand the presence of the other one, and keeps initiating little brawls that usually end in a nibble or two.

What could this mean?

My thoughts were maybe she was in heat or something and trying to assert her dominance over her friend (as they’re both pretty much the same age, and she isn’t really bothering the 3-year-old “bosspig” of the cage)

Or it could be a sign of pain, discomfort, or illness - and we are going to bring her for a checkup if the random aggression continues. She shows no other signs of illness or pain, though, and is acting normal otherwise.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. I’ve had guinea pigs mount and chase each other for random periods of time, but never the nipping and loud chattering. Thank you!

How big is the cage? Sometimes when there’s not enough space they get really dominant, most times trios don’t work out, I know I tried to bond a trio and it lasted a week before everything broke loose. They were also really close in age and it was hard for them to establish who was going to be dominant! Chattering is not uncommon it happens sometimes, it’s like people they just have to work things out, if blood is not drawn I would wait and see a little while longer sometimes they have to work things out, if this continues happening I would separate them

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone. I have three guinea pigs. Two of them I adopted at the same time and they’ve always been glued at the hip and very close. Starting last night, one of them has seemed to not be able to coexist with the other one. Even if her friend passes her, she starts loudly chattering and getting into a fight-like stance, which of course triggers a fight response in the other one. The most they have done is chase and leap at each other to nibble, but no blood has been drawn. The aggressor, though, seems to not be able to stand the presence of the other one, and keeps initiating little brawls that usually end in a nibble or two.

What could this mean?

My thoughts were maybe she was in heat or something and trying to assert her dominance over her friend (as they’re both pretty much the same age, and she isn’t really bothering the 3-year-old “bosspig” of the cage)

Or it could be a sign of pain, discomfort, or illness - and we are going to bring her for a checkup if the random aggression continues. She shows no other signs of illness or pain, though, and is acting normal otherwise.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. I’ve had guinea pigs mount and chase each other for random periods of time, but never the nipping and loud chattering. Thank you!

Hi!

Please have your sow vet checked for ovarian cysts. You do not need to see all the classic symptoms for them to be present and to cause problems. The cysts that cause aggressive behaviour are often small growing cysts.

Here is more information on both sows behaviours as well as ovarian cysts and hormonal problems. Sows can fall out although most people are much less aware of it.
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Bonds In Trouble