Why Does My Once Friendly Pig Not Like Me Now That He Has A Friend?

[Karissa]

Hello everyone!

This might be a strange question - but I am fairly new to owning guinea pigs. I got a 5 month old pig last month, and he was really sweet and liked to be held and would take naps on my lap etc. I did a lot of research on companionship for guinea pigs, and decided to by him a friend. I got him a 2/3ish month old (they are both male) and they have really taken to each other. We took a whole weekend to introduce them before sharing a cage. However, it seems as though our first pig is VERY protective of the baby. Whenever I take the baby from the cage the older one freaks out until I put him back. Also, now every time I go to handle/pick up our first pig, he is super hesitant and wants nothing to do with it. Also, if I walk into their room and they are out of their hiding spots, the older one will start to circle the baby, swaying his hips with a low rumble staring at me. Do you think he may be trying to assert his dominance over the baby - as if saying the baby is his and not mine?

Is this normal? Any advice would be great!

 

[Claire W]

Hello and welcome.

Please do not worry. Your older pig is just asserting his dominance. He's the dominant pig and not the baby.

It is perfectly normal for your older pig to be protective. I have two guinea pigs a neutered boar and a sow who love each other very much. They go mad when I take the other away for a cuddle so what I do is have a blanket on the settee and have both pigs sat next to me. I then pick them up individually for cuddles which they are fine with as they know that the other is close by.

Just give your boys time to get to know each other and the dominance will soon settle down. But please don't worry, it's a very good sign that your boys like each other and after all, guinea pigs are much happier living in pairs / groups than living by themselves x

 

[Reddybex]

My Jerry changed in character slightly once I got Vinnie. He certainly wasn't as friendly as he once was however he still will sit on my shoulder so not all is lost. I don't have loads of experience but I find Vinnie rumbles around Jerry if I make a noise - didn't think much of it as he's always strutting anyway haha Sorry I can't give any advice but at least I can sympathise - boars don't half worry us humans! lol

 

[flowerfairy]

None of my herd like to be separated from each other for long. I find having two at a time can help. Hope your boy settles with you soon.

I think you definately did the right thing getting him a friend.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello everyone!

This might be a strange question - but I am fairly new to owning guinea pigs. I got a 5 month old pig last month, and he was really sweet and liked to be held and would take naps on my lap etc. I did a lot of research on companionship for guinea pigs, and decided to by him a friend. I got him a 2/3ish month old (they are both male) and they have really taken to each other. We took a whole weekend to introduce them before sharing a cage. However, it seems as though our first pig is VERY protective of the baby. Whenever I take the baby from the cage the older one freaks out until I put him back. Also, now every time I go to handle/pick up our first pig, he is super hesitant and wants nothing to do with it. Also, if I walk into their room and they are out of their hiding spots, the older one will start to circle the baby, swaying his hips with a low rumble staring at me. Do you think he may be trying to assert his dominance over the baby - as if saying the baby is his and not mine?

Is this normal? Any advice would be great!

Your boy is making clear he is boss, and that the baby is HIS friend and not yours! Things will settle down again. You also have to consider that your boy is now right in the thick of the teenage months. He is showing normal dominance behaviour (rumblestrutting) as he is growing from a baby into an adult boar.

Please always feed, handle, groom and pet your older boy first to accept the hierarchy. You can cuddle both boys at the same time; that will ease the stress of them being split up.

Here is a way you can pick them up together safely: How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Understanding social behaviours: Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics