Just bought 2 Males ginuea pigs (10weeks old) for my daughter today. Have a large Very large cage for them and proper beding. The covered section for them to sleep in takes up one third of the cage - but one of the ginuea pigs keeps chasing the other out - is this the normal to have one more dominant than the other!!??? Or is this just a teething problem!!!!
2006-11-26 05:34:01 · 9 answers · asked by Roxy 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Will i have to seperate them or - best let nature take it's course.
2006-11-26 05:39:17 · update #1
Also - being a novice to keeping guinea pigs - what about sleeping pattern.
2006-11-26 05:41:55 · update #2
First off, let me debunk the myth that it's impossible to keep two males together - I keep THREE males together, all from different litters, and the key is just to introduce them to each other when they're still young - as you've done. Mine get along fine. EVERY ONCE in awhile you'll come upon a male who WILL NOT get along with any other piggie, but it doesn't sound like this is the case with you. Yes, this is normal and one piggie is going to take over a more dominant role - looks like you've identified that one!
As for your problem, I'm afraid it is one. What you need - if you can spare the room - is to re-design the set up so that you have two or even three "sleeping" areas. Or at least several "hidey" places, such as the plastic "igloos" pet stores sell, which will work quite nicely. One dominant piggie will take over the favored hideout, yes, but the key is to have alternative hideouts for the other - this being important because having a place to sleep and hide greatly decreases the stress level on the little guys. It's recommended that you have one more hiding place than the number of piggies - this way, each can claim a territory, and then there will still be a leftover "neutral" zone.
You're also on the right track when you suggest a "teething problem" - it's not that, quite, but your piggies are entering their "puberty" stage which is probably going to last until they're about a year old. In time the little guys will settle down a bit, get along a little better, and be a little less skittish and moody.
Below is a link to the website I have ridiculously poured time into and dedicated to my piggies - I'd suggest clicking on the "gallery page" link and scrolling to the bottom to check out my latest cage set up. You'll see that for three pigs I have a cage with multiple levels and "sections" (although no actual partitions) so that there's plenty of room for privacy, as well as three separate actual hideouts (although I'm thinking of getting another.)
http://www.secondstarillustrations.com/threepigs.htm
Hope this helps, and good luck with your pigs!
2006-11-26 15:14:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you will have to separate these pigs, two males kept together will fight, and one will cause the other serious injuries. If you need two guinea pigs, you should get one male and one female, you can always sell any babies to a local pet shop. Or if you don't want babies, you can keep them in separate cages, but guinea pigs are herd animals and enjoy the company of other guinea pigs, they don't do well alone. Guinea pigs usually sleep for very short periods of time and sleep with their eyes open.
2006-11-26 05:49:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
separate them, or partition the cage so each has his own space. 2 males together just isn't a good idea, instinct will drive them to dual for the Billy Bad A** position. Somebody's going to get hurt. Good Luck.
Raised & Cleaned Up after 5 of them......and still think they're the best pet.
2006-11-26 05:48:45 · answer #3 · answered by justannae 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not good to have 2 male pig together males will fight. I would not have a covered section for them. I would keep a close eye on them and make sure one don't kill the other.
2006-11-26 05:52:12 · answer #4 · answered by cindy j 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its perfectly normal. And given time you'll even see the dominant one being the submissive. Also a lot of the time that's a way that they play. Like TAG you're it! Or catch me if you can...
2006-11-26 05:39:17 · answer #5 · answered by frontdeskwaitress 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One is probably going to be more dominant due to the fact that they are both Male! When fully mature, you may have to separate them due to fighting, or they might get along? a squirt bottle with water helps them to get along!
2006-11-26 05:40:40 · answer #6 · answered by Weiner 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is normal. They say not to put two males in a cage together for this reason.
2006-11-26 05:41:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
As long as they don t hurt each other it is ok. But when they "bite" each other u have to seperate them 4 a while. Nela
2006-11-26 05:40:42 · answer #8 · answered by kitchenwitch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its normal
2006-11-26 05:35:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋