Sudden aggression in female Guinea pig

[daisychains1993]

Hi all. I wondered if I could get some advice on something. I have a female guinea pig of 2 years. She lives on her own. I rescued her when she was 6 months as she didn't get along with other piggies. Lots of fighting, scrapping etc. She's very friendly on her own. I'm able to give her a lot of time including cuddles, floor time and playing which she loves and of course she gets her own time too. Over the past 2 months she's become very aggressive with me. She attacks me when I put my hand in the cage and picking her up is nearly impossible. It's awful when she is actually out because she'll run up to me and bite me. Ive not hurt her in anyway, dropped her or scared her. There have been no incidents that would scare her being picked up.
She seems happy in herself when she's on her own. She popcorn, squeaks and runs around. She lives in an indoor two teir cage and gets to go outside when the weather is lovely. I noticed that she had a grumbly tummy and rather smelly poo but not runny poo so thought it might be an upset tummy. Checked with vet and the vet is happy she is well. I've cut back on fresh food and that seems to have helped her tummy. Her behaviour is just getting worse. Has anyone experienced such behaviour? I thought it might be because she is in heat but surely that's a long time to be in heat for....

 

[Piggies&buns]

It would be worth having her checked for hormonal issues, ovarian cysts. The guide below will explain.

Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

Often aggression with other piggies comes from fear or simply not having been matched with the right piggy. It is not a case of simply saying she cannot live with another piggy as they are highly social creatures and being kept alone takes its toll on them.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome



Please take the time to read the green link. You should find it very helpful and informative.

 

[daisychains1993]

It would be worth having her checked for hormonal issues, ovarian cysts. The guide below will explain.

Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

Often aggression with other piggies comes from fear or simply not having been matched with the right piggy. It is not a case of simply saying she cannot live with another piggy as they are highly social creatures and being kept alone takes its toll on them.

Thank you for your help. That will be my next step to get her checked.

She's been around a number of other piggies. The first was her own litter but had to be separated. After was at a rescue with a mix of females. That was where I got her from. This is where the rescue had said that she doesn't get along with other piggies and suggested being on her own
I tried with an older female and a younger (separate occasions) they were gradually introduced both on neutral territory but both ended in a disaster. I'm considering a male Guinea pig for her (neutered of course) I don't want to keep stressing her though. Obviously my priority is to check for hormonal issues and cysts. But once we have explored and treated such issue, will then try with a male friend

 

[Siikibam]

If you can find a rescue that does dating then she can hopefully pick out her own friend - a boar if that’s what she likes.

Good luck with the vet and do let us know what they say.