Two baby brother guinea pigs together

[gpshirplanet]

Hi all, I have got a huge cage and two of everything. And I will be housing two guinea pigs (5 weeks old) together. I am now really unsure and thinking about whether I should have them neutered because I don't plan to breed and just want them to live together happily. I would like to hear from other guinea pig owners who have raised two brothers together.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum

What exactly is it that you are unsure about?
The key to a successful bond is mutual liking and character compatibility. The piggies have to like each other and want to be together. More boar bonds make it together than not, so don’t be concerned. However being brothers does not guarantee a successful bond.
Neutering them will not make any difference at all. Neutering does not change behaviour and won’t make them like each other. You only need to neuter if you want to separate the brothers and have them each live with a female. If they are happy to live together, then there is absolutely no need to neuter them.

An important key with two boars is space. You need to have a large cage. A cage measuring at least 150cm x 60cm. Lack of space can cause tension in a boar relationship, particularly when they hit their teens.
You will also need to ensure yOu have two of every item - two food bowls, bottles, hay piles and multiple hidey houses. Those houses should have two exits so stop any piggy being cornered. It is also important to respect their hierarchy - always handle the dominant piggy first.

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

Cage Size Guide

 

[gpshirplanet]

I have read that neutering reduces the testosterone which reduces the aggression...

Would love to hear from people with personal experience of keeping two brothers and if it went well.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I have read that neutering reduces the testosterone which reduces the aggression...

Would love to hear from people with personal experience of keeping two brothers and if it went well.

the majority of countries will not neuter guinea pigs until their testicles have descended which will be at least four months of age. By that point, neutering will not change anything. It will not reduce aggression. That is a myth.
However, Male guinea pigs will only be aggressive with each other if they are incompatible, or if you try to keep more than two together. If two boys want to live together, then there will be no aggression.

I have two male piggies together myself and they live very happily and successfully together.

Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

 

[gpshirplanet]

I live in Germany where it is possible to castrate guinea pigs early at 5 weeks old. So you think that if it is done early (before 4 months), there will be an effect?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I live in Germany where it is possible to castrate guinea pigs early at 5 weeks old. So you think that if it is done early (before 4 months), there will be an effect?

There can be. @Swissgreys also lives in a country where neuters are done early. It can make them less hormonal, but, I do also think you may be worrying unnecessarily. If they are going to grow up and not like each other, then being neutered won’t change that fact, it’ll just make them less hormonal but won’t stop character clashes. We don’t neuter early in this country and many many male piggies are kept together very successfully without being neutered.

 

[gpshirplanet]

still worried, because I read that with two brothers, they go through puberty together. And I only found out now that it is best to get an older male and a younger male than two brothers...

 

[Piggies&buns]

still worried, because I read that with two brothers, they go through puberty together. And I only found out now that it is best to get an older male and a younger male than two brothers...

No, age is not entirely relevant. It is character compatibility that counts on whether the bond will be successful. With two the same age going through hormones at the same time, it can make for tensions, but if they are compatible and want to be together, then they will get through it without problems. Having a large cage helps.
My two boys are the same age. They hit teens, become hormonal but with plenty of space and the fact that they like each other and want to be together, things were absolutely fine.

Having an older and a younger together sometimes works out for the best, but again, when the youngster hits his teens, then he may challenge the older one for dominance and that can still, sometimes, lead to problems.

 

[Piggies&buns]

You need one of them to be happy to be submissive and let the other be dominant. You will only run into problems if they both want to be dominant. And that is not something you can predict. It is entirely down to the piggies and whether they like each other but there are things you can do to minimise tensions as I’ve explained above - having a large cage, two of everything, handling the dominant first.

If they were to fall out, then they can live in side by side cages so they can still interact through the bars. I would not worry about any of that unless it happens.
By all means, if you wanted to have them neutered and your vet agrees, then it is absolutely something you can look into.

 

[gpshirplanet]

But if I don't do it now when they are 5 weeks old, I would miss this window of opportunity and I have no idea how they will behave as teenagers in the future...

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes that is the case, but you still won’t know what will happen with them in the future anyway.
As I said, it’s something you need to discuss with your vet. We don’t neuter young in the UK.

 

[Lady Kelly]

You might find the following guide very useful (please click the green writing) Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

As far as I understand from the guide is that some countries will desex before the boars are sexually active (around 2 weeks old) but otherwise it won't make a difference to behaviours.

There are many reasons why neutering might be beneficial for them though, e.g. if they do fall out then it gives you more options when finding a companion for each of them.

I would contact your vet to have the health checked and discuss what realistic options you have as this will depend on what your vet is willing to do and what is acceptable in your country. For example,vets in the UK won't neuter until the testicles have descended

 

[gpshirplanet]

can more people share about how their uncastrated brother piggies are living happily together? need some evidence...

 

[gpshirplanet]

and is it generally advisable to get two brothers or is it discouraged?

 

[Piggies&buns]

can more people share about how their uncastrated brother piggies are living happily together? need some evidence...

and is it generally advisable to get two brothers or is it discouraged?

Keeping two male piggies together is common practice. It is very advisable to keep same sex piggies together to avoid pregnancies. It is perfectly fine and as I have advised above it is about character compatibility between piggies as to whether their relationship will be viable. It is irrelevant whether they are biological siblings or not.

Please also read the guide about keeping boars.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

I’ll try and remember other regularly active forum members who keep boar pairs and will tag them in

@Sophie B
@piggieminder
@furryfriends (TEAS)
@alexr
@Siikibam

 

[Guinea Newbie]

I have two brothers living together. Well different mums, same dad, same age. They have been together since babies but I have only had them since October. They have not been neutered and live together very happily. They didn’t go through their ‘teenage phase’ with me but they have always been together and are perfectly happy at the moment.

 

[Sophie B]

I do keep a pair of boys but they aren’t brothers, although it doesn’t make a difference whether they are brothers or not because it’s all about their characteristics

My boys are pretty evenly matched and they get along well, I can’t really work out who is the boss which is a predicament I’ve always had. Bacon is laid back but keeps Smokey in his place, Smokey is bossy and curious
They’re evenly matched in the sense that, as long as they don’t get up in the other ones face they will be fine. They both rumble to no end too

I don’t think neutering does anything to control behaviour, it only stops them making babies, so I don’t see it being necessary
What is it exactly you’re concerned about?
If you’re only of many people who has heard that males are more likely to fall out honestly it’s not true!
It’s likely they will get along completely fine, and while the teenage months can be difficult if you keep a close eye on them you will be able to spot any potential fall outs in advance

I’ve been lucky because my boys were never particularly hormonal even during the difficult teenage months, so they’ve always had a steady relationship

 

[Guinea Newbie]

Even with boys who get on it’s normal to see some dominance behaviour like rumble strutting and mounting. Mine do this occasionally just to keep the pecking order but are honestly very content together.

 

[piggieminder]

Over the years I've had a lot of boar pairs, none have been neutered and all but one pair have got on well. I've had mixed ages and same age pairs. I've had pairs who came to me already together and have bonded pairs myself. None of mine have been blood brothers, character compatability is the absolute key to them living happily. The one pair that fell out in the teenage stage were the same age give or take a month and as it turned out both very dominant and neither would back down, eventually resulting in a bite. (They had been together for 4 months very happily before they started falling out). hey lived side by side in a split C&C cage happily chatting through the bars for about 6 months before I had a bereaved boar I bonded one to and the other was bonded with a baby. Boars can fall out but so can sows, the only pair of sows I've ever had were a complete nightmare, a mother and daughter pair who squabled at every season. I love boars, nothing beats a mellow elderly boar.

 

[gpshirplanet]

I haven't picked up the piggies from the breeder yet and I just talked to her on the phone airing my concerns. She is now offering
a) Adult male + 5 weeks male
b) two 5 weeks male brothers

For those of you who have experience, which option would you choose?

 

[Merab]

I had 2 brothers living together very happily. They were my first piggies as an adult and I was relearning how to care for them.
I never had problems with my boys

Looking forward to pictures when you get your boys.
Welcome to the forum

 

[Piggies&buns]

Either option comes with risks of failure down the line. Nobody can tell the future to know what will happen.
Have the adult and the baby already been bonded by the breeder?
While the bonding may work out now while the baby is young, there is absolutely no guarantee that this pairing will work out in the long term, once the baby becomes a teen. When the 5 week old hits his teens, he could still try to take over leadership from the adult and still cause problems.
You need to do what you feel comfortable with though. More boar pairings make it than not, but nobody can say that one way will be better than the other.

 

[gpshirplanet]

I am sticking with two brothers... Because the breeder actually offered to exchange one of them with another guinea pig if they start fighting. I think it is extremely generous of her to make such an offer. She lives on a huge farm so she has a lot of land.

 

[Sweet Potato]

When I got by two babies (possibly brothers but from a pet shop so who knows) the vet (who I now know knows nothing) told me that they would fight and when they started fighting we would have to get them fixed. Despite spending their first year in a cage that was too small and not always having two of everything a year and a half old and there is still no fighting and they love each other very much. Every operation comes with risks and I wouldn't put them through that if it is likely not needed. I think people believe neutering reduces tension in pairs because it is true of other animals such as dogs and rabbits but not guinea pigs. This is only my experience and what I've learned from research but I hope it helps.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I am sticking with two brothers... Because the breeder actually offered to exchange one of them with another guinea pig if they start fighting. I think it is extremely generous of her to make such an offer. She lives on a huge farm so she has a lot of land.

read the guides I linked in and they will give you the information you need for keeping two boars. Please don’t worry about them falling out though. Yes, it does happen and you should always have a plan b to enable you to separate (spare cages etc) but it isn’t something you should worry about unnecessarily.

 

[Wiebke]

I live in Germany where it is possible to castrate guinea pigs early at 5 weeks old. So you think that if it is done early (before 4 months), there will be an effect?

Hi! Early castration can make all the difference as the baby boars will never experience the massive testosterone spikes that are the problem with many boar pairs. However, if their personalities clash, then there is nothing you can do - but the same goes for all piggies. However, early castrated boar pairs are generally considered one of the stabler combinations.
Here is more information, including on baby castration (which is sadly virtually unknown in any English speaking countries: Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

PS: Could you please add your country and Bundesland to location in your account details (by clicking on your username on the top bar). This makes it appear with every post you make, so we can adjust any advice and recommendations accordingly straight away.

 

[Siikibam]

Grüß dich! I’m another boar slave I had them from two months and experienced the teenage months and hormone spikes. It’s scarier than it looks, but it works because there’s a dominant and a submissive piggy. And they get on else they likely would have fallen out long ago.

As already said many times, a good bond is all about character compatibility and not age. If possible, the breeder should observe them then (try and) pair the piggies based on their character. So a dominant and a submissive. If she can do the bonding before you collect them, it would definitely make your life easier.

As for neutering, that’s up to you really. If it were me, I wouldn’t do it unless I plan to pair them off with girls (by the way, you can only have one boar with sows). If it so happens they can’t get along, they can always live side by side. But you won’t know until you try, so to speak.

Bear in mind the important things when keeping boars:

• A cage at least 150 x 60cm. This is very important - boars need more space than sows. Lack of it can lead to fallouts.
• Two of everything - hides, bowls, bottles, hay areas
• Hides with 2 exits
• Always handling the dominant pig first - you have to respect their hierarchy. You’ll slowly discover the pecking order.
• The teenage months can be...difficult and the tension can make or break a bond.

Make sure you read through the guides that have been linked previously. Is there no rescue near you where you could get a pair that’s already been bonded and health checked etc? I don’t know if there are any in Germany. Also, is the vet experienced in guinea pigs? If you decide to go ahead, do you know how many neuterings they’ve performed?

 

[gpshirplanet]

I had 2 brothers living together very happily. They were my first piggies as an adult and I was relearning how to care for them.
I never had problems with my boys

Looking forward to pictures when you get your boys.
Welcome to the forum

Curious, were they neutered or not?

 

[gpshirplanet]

Grüß dich! I’m another boar slave I had them from two months and experienced the teenage months and hormone spikes. It’s scarier than it looks, but it works because there’s a dominant and a submissive piggy. And they get on else they likely would have fallen out long ago.

As already said many times, a good bond is all about character compatibility and not age. If possible, the breeder should observe them then (try and) pair the piggies based on their character. So a dominant and a submissive. If she can do the bonding before you collect them, it would definitely make your life easier.

As for neutering, that’s up to you really. If it were me, I wouldn’t do it unless I plan to pair them off with girls (by the way, you can only have one boar with sows). If it so happens they can’t get along, they can always live side by side. But you won’t know until you try, so to speak.

Bear in mind the important things when keeping boars:

• A cage at least 150 x 60cm. This is very important - boars need more space than sows. Lack of it can lead to fallouts.
• Two of everything - hides, bowls, bottles, hay areas
• Hides with 2 exits
• Always handling the dominant pig first - you have to respect their hierarchy. You’ll slowly discover the pecking order.
• The teenage months can be...difficult and the tension can make or break a bond.

Make sure you read through the guides that have been linked previously. Is there no rescue near you where you could get a pair that’s already been bonded and health checked etc? I don’t know if there are any in Germany. Also, is the vet experienced in guinea pigs? If you decide to go ahead, do you know how many neuterings they’ve performed?

The vet that I looked at ONLY does small animals, so she is really specialized in small animals, the clinic is not even open for dogs or cats. And in Germany, it seems to be the norm to have early castration and doing it early does reduce the testosterone spikes in the teenage years. I am still really torn about this... because I have also read that it reduces anal impaction when they are older. But yea, there is always some risk involved in surgery.
And nope, not going to look for another pair now, don't think it is responsible to the breeder who I have already made a verbal agreement with. I am sticking with this breeder, especially after she has so nicely offered to me that I could swop one of them if the two starts fighting... So that is also another thing, if she is willing to exchange pigs with me if one of mine starts fighting, it really makes me wonder if I should go through all that effort to neuter them (plus shouldering the risks and costs)... sigh. Tough decision.

 

[Piggies&buns]

The vet that I looked at ONLY does small animals, so she is really specialized in small animals, the clinic is not even open for dogs or cats. And in Germany, it seems to be the norm to have early castration and doing it early does reduce the testosterone spikes in the teenage years. I am still really torn about this... because I have also read that it reduces anal impaction when they are older. But yea, there is always some risk involved in surgery.
And nope, not going to look for another pair now, don't think it is responsible to the breeder who I have already made a verbal agreement with. I am sticking with this breeder, especially after she has so nicely offered to me that I could swop one of them if the two starts fighting... So that is also another thing, if she is willing to exchange pigs with me if one of mine starts fighting, it really makes me wonder if I should go through all that effort to neuter them (plus shouldering the risks and costs)... sigh. Tough decision.

To my knowledge, being neutered can possibly help a bit, but neutered boars can still suffer from impaction so it won’t entirely take away the risk.

Please don’t overthink the fighting though, they have just as much chance of getting on very well for their entire lives!