What should they do? What should I do?!

[WDMMBT]

My friend has just told that, once more, she has had to clean blood from the floor of her boars' cage. As far as I know they have two pairs and one single boar. One of the pairs lives in perfect harmony, the other two have been fighting. I know that it isn't my position to tell them that they really need to split the two fighting boars apart, they're not my guinea-pigs but it upsets me to hear that they're drawing blood and savaging each others ears. This has been going on for so long and I'm terrified that eventually one might kill the other and I know how upset that will leave my friends. Oh what to do... I don't want this to get to the day where I find a crying friend at school telling me that one of her piggies has killed the other but I'm not them, I have no right to tell them exactly what to do... I just don't want anyone to get hurt.

 

[pinklizzy]

Well, you can't force them to do anything but you can give them advice about the situation, if you haven't already. Could you not direct them to a few articles or this forum? As long as you do it in the right way, I don't think there's anything wrong with you giving your friends some advice.

 

[*Nibbles&Nugget*]

I would say tell your friend. There is nothing worse than the guilt of knowing you didn't say anything. I have a friend who has a guinea pig which is not well and I have told her what I think she should do on a number of occassions. I don't think she will listen but I am comforted by the knowledge that I did, say something.

Best idea would be to send her the link about boar dominance issues if you don't think you can say it to his/her face - http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?28949-Boars!-Simple-Dominance-Displays-or-Fighting
or the boar bonding link - http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?76162-Boars-A-guide-to-successful-companionship

Hope this helps

Amy
x

 

[missybct]

I disagree - I do think you have a right to tell her what to do. You are an experienced cavvy owner that loves piggies and that extends to the piggies of friends. I know if I had a friend and that situation arose that I would tell her what I think she should do. It's not about being mean or accusing her of being a bad mother - some people do not know all the facts, which is why this forum is so valuable.

Maybe you could link her to the thread about boar behaviour so that she can see what is normal in behaviour. She could also join the forum and if she has any questions she can post them.

You can't force her to do anything, but with the right advice she can make better informed choices rather than run the risk of losing a dear piggie.

 

[Katie Krafter]

You could always direct her to this forum for "help" and we can tell her what you can't!