My two guinea pigs have always gotten along really well. They are female and about 9 months and have always been together. They get equal time out with me (hours a day) and receive the same treats, etc. Well, tonight I noticed one of them has been chasing the other,nipping at her, and jumping on her back and side. The one being purused is a bit smaller and I'm getting worried. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do? The smaller one is on medicine, could the other think shes getting a special treat?
2007-09-26 18:52:26 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
Also, when the attacker is running around, her body kinda spazes like shes hyper.
2007-09-26 18:59:55 · update #1
I took her to the vet thinking she was sick, the vet couldn't find anything wrong but put her on a mild antibiotic in case. Well now I see the bigger one shaking her hips so I think its sexual, but they are for sure female. I've checked, the pet store checked, and the vets have checked. I'm also getting a bigger cage, maybe that will help. But I called a vet in town and she said it is probably because she is in heat?
2007-09-26 19:43:23 · update #2
I took her to the vet thinking she was sick, the vet couldn't find anything wrong but put her on a mild antibiotic in case. Well now I see the bigger one shaking her hips so I think its sexual, but they are for sure female. I've checked, the pet store checked, and the vets have checked. I'm also getting a bigger cage, maybe that will help. But I called a vet in town and she said it is probably because she is in heat?
2007-09-26 19:43:24 · update #3
I took her to the vet thinking she was sick, the vet couldn't find anything wrong but put her on a mild antibiotic in case. Well now I see the bigger one shaking her hips so I think its sexual, but they are for sure female. I've checked, the pet store checked, and the vets have checked. I'm also getting a bigger cage, maybe that will help. But I called a vet in town and she said it is probably because she is in heat?
2007-09-26 19:43:25 · update #4
It's a dominance thing. One of the guinea pigs is just establishing dominance over the other. As long as you've checked, and they are both female (don't listen to anything the pet stores tell you), don't worry about it. Unless there is bloodshed, there's no reason to separate them.
That being said, a bigger cage is always better, and can help in these situations. check out www.guineapigcages.com for really good info.
2007-09-27 07:48:38 · answer #1 · answered by Sheena S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you absolutely sure they are both female? Are you (or who ever you got them from) experienced in checking? Because it can be tricky, and this sounds like breeding behavior to me.
It's not about the "treat". Test and see by giving the bigger pig an extra treat. Use the same procedure as you use to give the meds. If that's the problem, it should stop in days.
If it's not breeding, the other pig may sense the illness and respond by trying to drive her away.
I'm thinking your gonna see the little one's sides start to bulge pretty soon.
2007-09-27 02:02:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
medicine for what? i know a lot of pack animals (like piggies) will try to chase sick ones out of the pack -- its just a survival thing. you might want to separate them until the one is better.
2007-09-27 02:00:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
seperate them NOW or one will end up dead,guinea pigs are not jealous of one another they are fighting for their territory
2007-09-27 02:02:08 · answer #4 · answered by dumplingmuffin 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋