Is it normal for two male guinea pigs to hump

This behavior will continue a few more times until she gets the kind of response she wants. This is because female guinea pigs sometimes go through hormonal changes that push them to continue to act aggressively. In other cases, the dominant one may become sick and the submissive one will try to take over. This causes a repetitive behavior pattern with the roles being reversed. They will act that way for a few days and anything more could be a sign of trouble.

So be sure to monitor the situation. However, the duration may become prolonged if the female guinea pig is sick. A common illness that can cause prolonged aggressive behavior is ovarian cancer. This could make the female continue to hump the other one even after they have submitted.

When she starts to develop cysts, she will want to continue to hump. Check for signs of such illnesses if you think this behavior is taking too long. Some of the signs to look out for include hair loss on the abdomen that can lead to bald patches.

If you notice any of these signs be sure to take your guinea pig to your vet for some professional attention. In my other posts, I talk a lot about the split cage method. This can be done if they have a big enough cage by using a divider like mesh or a small wired fence, and splitting their cage right down the middle. Remember guinea pigs are social so this option is preferred and better than keeping them in their own cage.

Guinea pigs are calm and peaceful animals that are great as pets. Their dominance behavior is just a normal process that they go through just like any other animal. Other behaviors include raising fur, swaying hips and rubbing cheeks. Sometimes they can run their noses as well. Most of the time the behaviors will continue for a while until one backs down.

If the posturing of the nipping and bite attacks gets more serious, it's time to separate the guinea pigs. If blood is drawn, it's definitely time to stop the session. Look for these behaviors as an indicator of when to separate them. Here is another technique used for harder-to-introduce couples or trios, especially when adding a new male to a bonded male pair. You will only want to try this method if you are already competent at handling guinea pigs and giving baths.

Thanks to Cavy Spirit for providing this information! Guinea pig bonding basics. Post-op care. Advocacy alerts Legislative priorities Position Statements. So you're looking to add another guinea pig to your family?

Adequate cage space. The dating game This initial introduction system, developed by Cavy Spirit , is done to determine how fast or prolonged the process will be. Get a large bath towel or two.

Put the towels on the couch neutral, unfamiliar territory. Spread them out over the middle of the couch. Each person holding a pig sits at opposite ends of the couch. Make sure the towels are between you and there is a good amount of space it helps to have a big couch. The floor works, too. Keep kids quiet and out of reach with no other distractions. Let the pigs find each other on their own time.

You may need to nudge them in the right direction. Have another towel handy to toss on the pigs if you need to separate them. Let the games begin! How long and what next? Usually, the first 15 minutes is just getting acclimated to the new surroundings and the idea that there is another guinea pig there. It's the next 15 to 30 minutes that can get interesting. The nice thing about being on the couch is it makes it easy for them to run to you when they get uncomfortable.

But keep your interactions and interference to an absolute minimum. Some guinea pigs will get along great. Some will decide on peaceful co-existence right from the beginning. Some will act like long lost buddies or lovers. Most, however, will go through the standard dominance dance, getting to know each other and trying to figure out who is going to be the boss.

They must and will decide this. Standard safe, non-combative, dominance Dating Game behavior: These behaviors may sound serious and they should be monitored very closely, but do not separate the pigs exhibiting these behaviors.

Butt sniffing Butt nudging Chasing Butt dragging they are leaving their scent Mounting Nose face-offs higher in the air wins, one must lower their nose to be subservient to the other Teeth chattering: a little signal of dominance Raised hackles hair on the back of the neck and along the spine Posturing for possible attack Teeth chattering: sustained signal of anger, aggression, warning Nips, light bites may result in little tufts of fur in their teeth Wide yawn they are showing their teeth Snorting like a strong puff or hiss Fighting with intent to harm: If the posturing of the nipping and bite attacks gets more serious, it's time to separate the guinea pigs.

Bite attacks are no longer warning nips, they are lunges with intent to harm. Combination of raised hackles, loud and angry teeth chattering, rumblestrutting in place with the head staying in one position while facing the other guinea pig doing the same thing. Usually a signal of a biting attack. But they may back down before they engage. Both pigs rear up on their haunches, face to face.

This is a clear, brief signal of their intent to launch full attacks at each other. Separate if possible before the attack.

Full battle. The pigs are locked together in a vicious ball of fur. This is very serious. Separate immediately, but be careful. Throw a towel over them and use a dustpan or something other than your hand to separate them.

Unintended bites from their very sharp incisors can cause serious damage. When you put two male guinea pigs together, or even two females sometimes, you may notice mating behavior taking place as the piggies get settled in. This is completely normal! Chasing or nipping — watch carefully for any super aggressive behavior like chattering teeth while hair raising on end, or lunging and drawing blood and be prepared to safely separate your piggies with a dustpan or other barricade not your bare hands!

Want answers to more of your burning guinea pig questions along with comprehensive, illustrated info covering just about everything you want to know about taking care of guinea pigs, all in one spot?

Check out The Guinea Pig Guide official book here! Hi there, really appreciate this post just wondering what age would guniea pigs usually grow out of the fighting for dominance phase?