Urgent: Will My Pigs Ever Get Along?

[Pandora1515]

Hi!

I got a new guinea pig today, as I had one pass away recently after only having her for a few weeks I have a 1 year old female, and when I got her previous friend (about 6 weeks old) who passed not long after I got her, she was fine with allowing her into her life. Today I got her another pig (1 year old) so she wasn't alone, but they just keep fighting rough with hard biting! I don't think anyone got hurt, apart from myself, who stupidly put my hand in without thinking to break up the fight. I got a bad bite which still may need stitches. But I've learnt my lesson!

I'm unsure why they are fighting like this, I've separated them for now. I believe it may be dominance issues, as they are both older pigs, and I believe my original guinea pig found it easier when introducing the younger pig as it is clear who is more dominant. I also tried bathing them both with the same shampoo so the same scent may help, but to no avail. After this, I let them see eachother through wire, but they still teeth chatter at eachother.

Is it worth taking the new pig back and getting a younger one as I know this is easier for my current pig? Or should I just wait it out?

By the way, they are both females, I have only ever had female guinea pigs.

Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! If they are fighting and biting, then chances are high that either acceptance has not happened or that dominance could not be sorted. have you been following the rules and carefully settled the newbie down and then staged introductions on neutral ground etc.? Please be aware that bathing is not conducive to bonding, unless you are dealing with riled up boars soaked in testosterone laden urine after a short term separation.
Please carefully read our guide: Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

Could you please add your country, state/province or UK county, so we can help you most efficiently and tailor any advice and recommendations to what is available, possible and relevant where you are. We have members and enquiries from all over the world, so climate, brands, conditions and options vary widely. Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. That makes your location visible unserneath your username in every post. Thank you!

In your case, could you please tell where you have got the new companion from? We can help you work out the safest options for her only if we know which corner of the world you are in. There are places where handing back a "fighter" can unnecessarily mean a death sentence or a life as a single at the very best.