I got my two female guinea pigs 2 days ago from the same pet shop. At first they seemed to be getting on ok, but then i noticed some strange behaviour. One guinea pig, who i think is older than the other, seemed to be pushing the other one out of the little house. I've searched on google on whether they were fighting or not, but i can't seem to find the right answer.
please help! i dont want one to get hurt.
I have Miya and Suzzi living ogether in harmony, however it took some work on my part as Miya has to be the boss of the cage. First I put Miya into Suzzies cage not the other way around so she would not feel like queen guinea pig, she still did quite a bit of pushing around. I have to have 2 houses, 2 food dishes, 2 of every thing so she cant stop Suzzi form eating and drinking. After a few months she simply gave up on trying to boss her around!! Now Suzzi comfortably sleeps in one of the 2 houses, they seem to take turns as to which one they want for the day, she eats when she wants with out being pushed away form the bowl and all is calm in the cage, they even cuddle together. So just have some patients as all will work out, you just have one guinea pig showing she is in deed the boss and the other one understands the guinea pig language and is OK with it.
It's typical for one of them to become dominant, and as long as they aren't drawing blood, you can leave them together.
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However, they shouldn't have to share a hiding place. You should have at least as many hiding spaces as you have cavies.
If the dominant one keeps picking on the submissive one all the time, then make sure you have at least 2 water bottles and 2 food bowls, one of each on opposite sides of the cage. That way, at least you can be sure that the submissive one will still have her needs met.
Well mine are so greedy they push and shove until 1 decides to leave. If scratching and/or biting
each other maybe you should separate them. If 1 does get scratched or bitten take them to the vets ASAP.
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Hope this Helped
Candyy
I agree to the fact that since you have two guinea pigs, there should be AT LEAST two hide-away places for each of them, guinea pigs really enjoy running through houses and tunnels, so as long as your cage is big enough, load 'em up with houses!
To answer your question, your guinea pig is simply trying to establish dominance over the other piggy which is completely normal, but sometimes this can leave the submissive piggy left out and deprived.
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As they grow older together, they will become more accustomed to their domesticated homelife with each other, but at least for now, I highly suggest you provide two of each of their necessities.
Two water bottles on different sides of the cage, at LEAST two hide-away houses/tunnels, and two food bowls.
The two food bowls should be placed nearby one another and not at the opposite ends of the cage because eventually each piggy will determine which one she enjoys eating out of the most, and if the two learn to eat side by side, they will bond more and form a stronger companionship.
Over time, as you take care of the two of them, they will love you and each other unconditionally and will share and become indifferent as to which toy or food bowl is which piggy's.: P
One important step in this process is that since you have two, and even though they were purchased together, you must spend time with both of them equally.
For the best results, either
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com - Hold one piggy and let someone else hold the other one at the same time
- Hold both piggies at the same time
To really get to know them and vice versa, one-on-one time is needed, but never leave a piggy out; they can get jealous or they will sit still in the cage all alone and freeze like their feelings are hurt: (
So if you decide you want to bond a little more with one, make sure that someone else like a friend or your parents can pet on the other little piggy at the same time too.
It seems as though you are a first-time guinea pig owner, and having two is a handful, but you should do more research on proper care and communication with your pets. This is vital for their happiness.
Hope this helps!