Switch in dominance

[Piggy_novice]

We’ve had our piggies Fred and George 4 months now. They’re just over 2.5 years old and we’re rescued as a bonded pair. When we first got them I had been on looking for advice as George the dominant pig kept blocking Fred into hay tray etc and being a pest (never any fighting).

In the past few days maybe a week though Fred seems to be showing a lot of dominant behaviour. He is now rumbling and trying to hump/ chase George who is now squealing submissively. Is this common? I was worried at first that George may be ill but he’s not lost weight, he’s eating and drinking well (we’ve always had 2 bowls, 2 water bottles and hay at either end of cage so neither can be blocked from food or water) and generally seems himself in every other way.

Just wondered if anyone else had experienced a shift in dominance that ended well. I’m worried they’ll fight but haven’t seen any signs of fighting so They get floor time and generally ignore each other when out the cage which is fairly usual for them.

 

[Siikibam]

I’ve never experienced it but it’s obviously happened with your boys. As long as one is being submissive there shouldn’t be a problem. Are you sure George was the top-pig beforehand?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Has anything changed in their environment?
I wouldn’t be too concerned but would observe - aside from keeping an eye out for signs of illness (and seeing a vet if you have even a little concern) - as long as George is happy to be submissive then it should be fine going forward. The problems will occur if he doesn’t want to.

I’ve not had it happen but while I know which one of my boys is more dominant, there are times when to watch them it does seem confusing - one of my boys does the rumbling but the other one does the humping!

 

[Julie M]

I think in the centre (the fuzzy piggie) was the boss. But when they were handed in the owner said that "the ginger and white one was boss" as long as George isn't complaining about being the under piggie all should be good.

 

[Piggy_novice]

Yes Julie, George is the fuzzy one and definitely seemed to be the boss when we got them. He doesn’t seem too bothered by the switch and Fred isn’t too much of a pest. I’ll keep a close eye on them.

Piggies

 

[Piggy_novice]

Piggies&buns they live in the dining room so they’ve been subjected to usual Christmas chaos Nothing changed in their cage and I’m careful not to clean whole thing at once as that always used to cause issues.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Piggies&buns they live in the dining room so they’ve been subjected to usual Christmas chaos Nothing changed in their cage and I’m careful not to clean whole thing at once as that always used to cause issues.

Ok. Territory changes can spark off dominance disputes, but if nothing has actually changed, then it won’t be that!
Definitely keep an eye out for any signs of illness, but otherwise don’t worry if they seem otherwise happy despite the change of leader!