I have 2 female guniea pigs who are approx. 8 months old. Sometimes they are a little bit bad tempered with one another perhaps due to being in season. However one guinea pig constantly picks on the other one for no reason. I was wondering if it would be kinder to seperate them into 2 cages or will they then become lonely (as I know it is important for them to have companionship). Any ideas??
2007-02-23 00:30:49 · 26 answers · asked by flamegirl 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
how cute
2007-02-23 00:33:02 · answer #1 · answered by epbr123 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Your cage may be to small - I have 2 gp (also females) and I found my old cage (when I had just had 1) was too small. I purchased a cage meant for ferrats so they have a lot more room. My girls argue also - whenever anyones hormones get activated- they have never hurt each other though. As long as there is no blood being drawn I think you are OK leaving them together. Guinea pigs have very little tolerence for pain and if either of them hurt the other you would hear about it!
I have a back room I guinea pig proofed and I make sure the girls have at least an hour of out of cage time to just run (not just when I want to play w them but time for them to roam on thier own) - this seems to cut back on the disputes and its good for them!
2007-02-23 01:01:32 · answer #2 · answered by jillmarie2000 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Guinea pig live in large family groups with only the alpha male and female being sexually active, when the group is to small the alphas sisters will also breed. These doesn't make her happy. The attacker is probably just asserting her dominance, are they of the same litter? Dominance issues become more problematic if they are not, FYI never get males from separate litters if you have to make sure they are very young when you get them so only one male develops sexually. I would get a larger run or give them a lot more out of cage time (one hour at the very very least). It could also be boredom so play some challenging games eg. Set up a maze, forcing them to hunt for treats, guinea pigs are a lot smarter than people think. This also helps to keep their weight down. While playing with them enforce your own dominance you have to become the group leader, much like you become a pack leader for a dog. If that doesn’t work try getting a third female, after all talking to the same person for the rest of your life is bound to be boring. Be slow introducing her to the mix have play dates for the first week or so that u supervise. In any guinea pig problem remember that the reason they are used in labs is because they have very similar behaviors and social organisation to humans they are more like us than dogs are!
2007-02-23 01:18:44 · answer #3 · answered by gruagachi 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it depends on how bad the bullying is. many pairs of guinea pigs (especially pairs of sows in my experience) quicky establish a pecking order, and both guinea pigs will happily live with this, even if it does seem to be a bit unfair to people watching. if it is things such as taking the food first, you could try putting two of everything in the cage, so they have an easier time sharing. (also try increasing the cage size, as this is sometimes a big factor in the relationship between two pigs)
If it is more serious, such as biting and scratching, or you see any unexplained wounds on one of your pigs then separate them. However if this is happening you can try re-introducing them by giving them a bath together. the stress of the bath can sometimes force two previously hostile guinea pigs to become friends, again try getting a bigger cage (see www.cavycages.com) then it should make relations a little less strained.
If all this fails then you will have to separate them, but remember to keep the cages together, so they can still communicate.
2007-02-23 02:01:38 · answer #4 · answered by Katie C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a feeling that your cage might be too small for 2 guinea pigs. It depends on the room that you have in your home, and how much you are willing to let them have, but here are some suggestions for GP's that will help alot.
The cheapest "cage" I can suggest is actually a plastic kiddy pool. These are great for running around and having plenty of room, but adding a water bottle can be a pain. Having a couple of pigloos in one of these not on the outside perimeter would be good for hiding, and if one goes after the other, they will run around in circles, which they might just do for fun anyway. A 5' diameter pool would be really alot of room, and if you use a cheap enough litter, not cost prohibitive that way either.
If that doesn't suit you, go to www.cavycages.com and check out how they have build large cheap homemade cages out of wire shelving squares. They are very creative on that page, and offer guidelines that if followed will reduce the tension of your GP's.
It would be mroe beneficial for a large cage than 2 small ones. It's kinda like being trapped in a small bathroom all day, and you have a roommate.
2007-02-23 00:51:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have 2 mail Guinea Pigs who live together in 1 cage. They often seem like they're fighting. Though they get on ok the rest of the time.
I think mine are play fighting.
But if yours are really going for it, maybe you should seperate them, and let them play together outside the cage for company.
May be they're just spending to much time together!
2007-02-23 00:40:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
separate into side by side cages if there is any blood. If they are just picking on eachother such as chasing a bit, nipping with no blood, or just harassing every once and a while, they can stay together- it is just social problems- like when you are crabby and fight with your friend.
If the one is constantly harassing the other, or they are very mean to one another, you need to separate.
You could always have play time together when they are not in season.
2007-02-23 00:35:53 · answer #7 · answered by D 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't worry too much , as they are getting older they have to sort a pecking order out and this is how they do it. It is a phase that they go through once it is sorted they will calm down.They are very unlikely to seriously injure each other and it sounds a lot worse than it actually is...a bit like kids in the play ground if you know what i mean
2007-02-23 21:41:29 · answer #8 · answered by The Fat Controller 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just separate them and put them into seprarte cages, then let them play together occasionally. That's what I did when I had guinea pigs, they had the same problem
2007-02-23 01:06:11 · answer #9 · answered by bbnicole104 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it's playful fight, that might be alright, but if one is hurting the other, then you better separate them into 2 cages. They won't be lonely if you play with them from time to time, and also if they can see each other, then they are not alone anyway.
2007-02-23 00:35:11 · answer #10 · answered by Lilliana 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You could separate them. Just spend time with them yourself to stop them getting lonely. After all, guinea pigs are the awesomest rodents ever. If I could, I'd just have a massive herd of the furry little buggers and spend all day with them. Sod working.
2007-02-23 00:41:08 · answer #11 · answered by Al_ide 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋