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Original poster

How to stop guinea pigs fighting - any ideas?

26 replies

Toottootcar · 01/08/2022 22:05

We took a risk and bought two young (a few months old) pigs to make life a bit better for our bereaved older pig, and well, because we like guinea pigs and we're happy to have more. We knew they might not bond.
Original introductions went well. One of the new pigs is clearly quite timid and he has really taken to the older pig. The other new pig seemed ok but in the last few days has snapped at the older one a couple of times and chased him. He hasn't snapped back, despite being so much bigger!
We've only had them a week and I really don't want to give up on the bonding yet.
Guides I've read online don't tell you what to actually do to improve relationships - me saying "that's enough of that!" clearly not being of any use!

OP posts:
Simonjt · 01/08/2022 22:07

You cannot keep three boars together, they will continually fight, you need to either rehome one, or get a forth and have two different enclosures. Also make sure every pig has their own bottle, bowl, hide etc.

AllAboutMargot · 01/08/2022 22:40

What @Simonjt said

ladydimitrescu · 01/08/2022 22:50

Agreed - boars need to be in pairs. This won't get better.

Fleamaker123 · 01/08/2022 23:01

I don't think it will work either. Males will fight for dominance.
We have an older boar who lives alone now after his friend died. He seems happy, still squeaks and popcorns!
Also two young males who live nearby but completely separate. They can all see and hear each other, but I won't risk putting them together.

Afterfire · 01/08/2022 23:04

Simonjt · 01/08/2022 22:07

You cannot keep three boars together, they will continually fight, you need to either rehome one, or get a forth and have two different enclosures. Also make sure every pig has their own bottle, bowl, hide etc.

Agree.

The only way it could possibly, possibly work - from experience- is if you get all the boars neutered and put them in a c and c cage half the size of a standard living room with about 6 girl piggies, numerous hides and enough food bowls and water bottles that they never have to cross paths. Otherwise it’s never going to work.

Damnautocorrect · 01/08/2022 23:04

It sounds like you may have introduced them a bit quick.
it can take weeks of slow introductions and even then it might not work.

Afterfire · 01/08/2022 23:05

Also - how big is the their enclosure? Google c and c cages. They need a LOT more room than you think.

Orangesandlemons82 · 01/08/2022 23:07

I don't think 3 boars will work out sadly. You need to re-home one or get another and have 2 pairs.

Damnautocorrect · 01/08/2022 23:51

Afterfire · 01/08/2022 23:05

Also - how big is the their enclosure? Google c and c cages. They need a LOT more room than you think.

3 boars is probably their own 3 bedroom townhouse.

only half joking

Original poster
Toottootcar · 02/08/2022 00:02

Thank you all for the advice, even if it is not what I wanted to hear!
When I posted about my other pig being left alone, 2 babies was suggested to me (on here!) the thinking being none of them are bonded and that the older one will (of course) die at some point and then I'd be starting again with one pig...
They are in a large c&c cage, they also get put into a larger c&c pen downstairs for extra exercise.
I've spent the night watching YouTube videos and have a few ideas to try, ultimately they might have to live apart but I'm still hopeful (there was no fighting the first few days they were together).

OP posts:
Original poster
Toottootcar · 02/08/2022 00:03

Orangesandlemons82 · 01/08/2022 23:07

I don't think 3 boars will work out sadly. You need to re-home one or get another and have 2 pairs.

One of them is almost 6, so if I had four at some not too distant point I'd have 3 again..

OP posts:
GrandRapids · 02/08/2022 00:22

I had two boars and that didn't work out. One constantly going for the other. They lived happily together for about a yr before all hell broke loose.

Anyway I had to separate them but they lived side by side. The aggressor constantly growling and chattering at the other. It didn't seem to bother the timid one as he knew he was safe.

The timid one sadly died and now the feisty one lives alone with lots of mirrors which he really likes.

I really don't think there's anything you can do to prevent the conflict. If your dominant one wants to attack even without provocation and then he needs to live separately.

Nat6999 · 02/08/2022 01:00

Neuter at least one of the boars & get him a girlfriend. Guinea pigs are like people two is alright but three is a crowd.

LondonWolf · 02/08/2022 01:15

and now the feisty one lives alone with lots of mirrors which he really likes.

This made me laugh Grin. I get why he likes the mirrors but I like the idea of a GP happy with his own company as long as he can look at himself.

Sadly in adulthood I developed an allergy to pet hair, which then became adult onset asthma. So no more Guineas for me Sad

GrandRapids · 02/08/2022 08:46

He doesn't have any issues with his own reflection, no growling or chuntering Grin

I often find him curled up asleep next to the mirror. I think he quite likes admiring himself!

Original poster
Toottootcar · 02/08/2022 09:21

I am loving the idea of a pig sleeping next to a mirror! You can imagine the thread on relationships Grin
At the moment things are calm, the older pig is up in the loft and the bossy pig is downstairs, with the timid pig moving between the two.
Im going to try a few things out today - altering cage layout, some time on neutral territory and a bath, which I've used when bonding before. Will look at how to split them if none of this works (though the "piggie in the middle" would be sad about it this!)

OP posts:
Orangesandlemons82 · 02/08/2022 12:40

Hope it works out. We have ended up in an endless cycle of guinea pigs so one isn't on its own 😳

GrandRapids · 02/08/2022 19:38

Orangesandlemons82 · 02/08/2022 12:40

Hope it works out. We have ended up in an endless cycle of guinea pigs so one isn't on its own 😳

This is what I really wanted to avoid. I won't have Guinea pigs again so although I feel a little bad that he lives alone at times, I do think he actually prefers it. He's just too much of a mardy arse to share his life with anyone!

GrandRapids · 02/08/2022 19:38

Apart from his own reflection Grin

PutinIsAWarCriminal · 02/08/2022 19:41

They are neutered, aren't they? Otherwise, you have no chance.

Itsincidental · 02/08/2022 19:44

I don't know anything about guinea pigs but have lots of experience with bonding rabbits. We were advised to use a water spray to discourage snapping and chasing . It did help.

megletthesecond · 02/08/2022 19:47

I had several pairs of un-neutered boars. It just took a few weeks and a large run to calm them down. Never tried three though.

AwkwardPaws27 · 02/08/2022 20:07

Boar trios very rarely work out unfortunately, & if initial groups work they often break down when younger males reach adolescence.
If you are going to try, make sure they have a lot of space (10.5ft² is the minimum for a pair of boys - I'd aim for at least 15ft² for three, bigger if possible).
You'll need three of everything - hides, tunnels, water bottles, food bowls, hay piles - to prevent fighting over resources. All hides should have at least two exits so they can't be cornered inside.
If any blood is drawn they should be separated permanently as further fighting is likely to be serious sadly.

Hopeandlove · 02/08/2022 20:08

Simonjt · 01/08/2022 22:07

You cannot keep three boars together, they will continually fight, you need to either rehome one, or get a forth and have two different enclosures. Also make sure every pig has their own bottle, bowl, hide etc.

Oh god no - they will and can kill each other

Original poster
Toottootcar · 23/08/2022 16:21

Just to update this, the OG (original guinea pig) was basically staying inside his house to avoid the other pig, who had learned how to climb the ramp. This didn't seem fair so we have separated them. I did a lot of extending of their space and now the two new pigs are living downstairs, with a loft where they can view the OG through a grid but not bother him. OG has had his loft extended so he has a 4x2 grid space and also he's happy to get out and have floor time, I think they are all happy now. It never came to any blood being drawn and the older pig never fought back but they clearly weren't going to work out. Thank you to everyone who gave me advice.

OP posts:
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