Guinea pig idea?

Question

I introduced my new guinea pig to my 2 other guinea pigs in a nuetral area yesterday, I did it on the couch like cavy spirit said. They stayed there for about 30 minutes and seemed fine, so I placed them in a play pen for the rest of the day. I checked on them regularly and everything seemed fine so I placed them in the cage. I went and checked on them this morning and they do not seem to be getting along (see my other question). I read somewhere about this technique that can be used with problem guinea pigs. What you do is place them in a bath, all 3 of them, wash them all with a safe shampoo, dry them and try to introduce them again. You then have to wash the cage thoroughly with vinegar and water to get rid of any scents. This article was written for boars but I am desperate, what are your views on this idea? Here is the link: http://www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm#Introductions
You need to scroll down to the article which says the piggys who bath together stay together.

Do you think it has a chance of working? What else could I do? Is it too late? Please help me

Answer 1

I think that it is worth a try, I am getting a third guinea pig in about 1 week so I hope that I do not have the same problem as you. I do not think that it would hurt if you tried so you may as well try.

Good Luck!!

Answer 2

Definitely give it a try. Here's what I would do - take the pigs out of the cage and put them in their playpen while you clean the cage (remove the bedding, give the sides and floor a good once over with a cleaning solution). I'd then take the girls to the bathtub and fill it up with about and inch or so of warm water. The point of the buddy bath isn't really the bath itself - it's the whole "holy crap I don't like this I'm stressed out so let's come together" feeling they'll *hopefully* experience. It'll also neutralize any "scents" they have of each other. You'll want to make sure they're fully dry before you put them back in the cage as well.

This method has worked for many people having similar problems you're having. It's something I should have tried with my two boys (and I probably still could). Just remember that what we might interpret as fighting is really the pigs' way of working out their "hierarchy." Food stealing, chasing, nipping, rumblestrutting...it's all normal, though hard to witness as a piggy mom. As long as there's no major blood shed, let them sort it out.

Answer 3

The buddy bath technique has worked for lots of people. You also need to read the warning signs on that same web page. What we see as not getting along, is usually them sorting out dominance. When the pecking order is decided, theings will calm down. If there is no bloodshed, do not seperate. This only confuses them and you have to start over again.

Answer 4

How big is the cage? They may have gotten along in the play pen because they had plenty of space. Three g.p.'s in a cage sounds pretty crowed unless you have a really huge cage.

Answer 5

definetly ive read it many times. i dont think its only for boars i think they were saying either boars dont get along as well so you might need to use that technique or they have boars and they used that technique. either one it can be used for boars or sows. i definetly recomend you do that.

Answer 6

It's a possibility, I'd say go for it