i have a male guinea pig, i had him for about six month.i just bought another one and introduced him to my other guinea pig and they began to fight i had to buy another cage and put them both in different cages. i feel so bad for the new one because he didn't do anything it was my older one i really want them to be in the same cage it would be so much easier for me. what should i do?
What kind of guinea pig to get? Male or female? Young or old? First and foremost, you want to make sure that you do NOT end up with a breeding pair or a pregnant female. Not convinced? Think you may want babies? Please don't. Please read the Breeding page first.
If you have a male, you'll want another male. If you have a female, you'll want another female. This is the easiest path to take, since it does not risk surgery to neuter or spay.
Have you heard that males fight? Did you know that females may fight, too? Did you know that some males and females also won't get along? Guinea pigs all have their own personality. It's a matter of matching up personalities. Many, many people have pairs or trios of boars who get along great. We match up boars all the time.
We try to match up a dominant with a subordinate guinea pig. It helps to have a feel for their personalities. What if you have no idea about the personalities? An older with a younger guinea pig is a good option (larger to smaller one). They usually establish a natural hierarchy with the younger one being subservient to the older one. You just need to be careful that you don't have a very feisty younger guinea pig with a very laid back older guinea pig. In that case, the younger one may challenge the older one's position as 'alpha' guinea pig (or top guinea pig or the boss guinea pig).
Please note: Males living with males (and no females) do NOT need to be neutered! It will NOT change their behavior.
When you pair up a young guinea pig with any other guinea pig (young or old), there is a chance that as he or she goes through their adolescent period (3-5 months), they will challenge the other guinea pig for top guinea pig position. This can lead to some fighting. Most of the time they figure it out for themselves. Occasionally, the fighting is extreme and they must be permanently separated. Again, remember this can happen with ANY guinea pig pair, male/male or female/female.
What to do when you get the new guinea pig home? Quarantine first! Introductions later.
What if it doesn't work out, they don't get along? Please see the first section! You need to be prepared for this possibility or don't attempt it. What if the introductions don't work out? You've given it many weeks of effort, but the two guinea pigs won't get along without serious fighting. You'll need to provide them a cage space where they can see each other, but not get to each other. Ideally, this is a very large cage with a common grid wall.
buy a larger cage with a wire wall down the middle of the cage at least that way they can get to no each better / sea each other without fighting then after a few weeks try them again hope things work out well with them
if you brought another ginnie pig into the mix and he's a male they r most likely fighting over territory. but if it is a girl they could be fighting because of the new smell. or ur male guinnea pig has a bad temper i suggest that u let them meat eachother gradually starting at 10 min, increase the time gradually.
put them in the same cage together they will fight for a while but they wont fight forever, they will become friends. it will take time i did it when i got a new dog i have 2 dogs and they didnt get on with eachother now they put up with eachother cos you have to give it time, good luck on what ever you choose to do
Information provided on AnswerPond.com is not intended to substitute for informed expert medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, computer, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. For questions that require professional advice, please consult a qualified provider who is licensed in your state or country.
