Keeping two guinea pigs together: how to introduce and what to do in case of a fight

In nature, animals from the mumps family live in colonies. A group of rodents is easier to escape from predators and get food. At home, the guinea pig is not threatened by the attack of animals and hunger. The presence of associates is not mandatory, but the animal is more comfortable in the company.

Making two guinea pigs friends is not difficult. By their nature, they are located to communications and two pets are more fun. Thanks to active games, animals move more, which has a positive effect on their physical fitness and health.

Pair selection

The owners are concerned about the possible fight of guinea pigs. It is easier to prevent conflict between pets if you deliberately select suitable individuals. It is better to buy a guinea pig from a trusted breeder. From him you can get information about the nature of each animal and its position in the pack.

Important factors when choosing a partner for a pet:

• sex of animals;
• age;
• status in the pack;
• accommodations.

In young animals, relationships develop more easily than in adults. It is best to immediately have two cubs who have grown up together. In this case, the struggle for leadership is easier, or not required at all. The new tenant must be younger than, or equal in age to, the permanent resident.

If one or two individuals are approaching the age of 3-5 months, it is better to postpone the acquaintance. During this period, guinea pigs master the role of an adult rodent and zealously defend their boundaries.

The settler who dominated the previous flock will aggressively defend their positions in the new place. The owner will not tolerate this and the rodents will begin to conflict. Therefore, for sharing it is better to choose a non-ambitious individual.

Gender group models

It is not worth starting a heterosexual couple if breeding is not planned. When living together, animals experience stress. The female does not like the persistent attention of the male, and he is constantly refused. Uncontrolled mating depletes the girl’s body. You can keep a male and a female together only if the male is castrated.

Two female guinea pigs converge more easily on the same territory. The struggle for terrain between girls rarely ends in injury. Such a pair is optimal for a novice breeder.

Boys jealously defend their territory. Between them, competition for a lady may flare up. Two males do not get along well together. Vigilance is always required with them, even friendly rodents can suddenly start a fight. You can make friends between two males only if they do not smell the female.

To maintain order in the group, it is necessary to provide pets with toys and entertainment, plenty of hay, food and space. A cage for a pair of guinea pigs must be at least a meter long.

Relationships in a pack of three or more animals develop according to the same patterns. Among the three, there may be an unspoken conspiracy of two pigs against the third. Therefore, it is optimal to group animals in colonies of 4-5 individuals.

Settlement rules

The new tenant must spend two weeks in a separate cage, so that the owner is convinced that the rodent is healthy. After quarantine, you can introduce guinea pigs to each other. Before trying, you need to make sure that both rodents are full and in good spirits. It is better to introduce guinea pigs on neutral territory.

The place of the first meeting should be:

• new for both rodents, not marked by odors;
• protected by high sides, or located closer to the floor;
• spacious, so that there is enough space for chase and flight;
• equipped with through shelters for a passive individual.

The species is not characterized by competition for food, so while the animals are getting to know each other, you can try to defuse the situation with a treat. During the procedure, you need to be vigilant, as a skirmish may arise for the attention of the owner, or simply out of principle.

When moving into a group, it is recommended that a beginner be rubbed behind with sawdust from a common cage. Sensing the familiar smell, the flock will accept the guest more loyally.

After several meetings in neutral territory, if the pigs behave calmly, you can put them in one cage. Before that, it should be thoroughly washed and the location of accessories changed. For each individual, you need to install a separate feeder and drinker in different sides of the cage. The room will look unusual for both pigs, which will allow rodents to inhabit the territory on an equal footing.

Actions in a fight

Guinea pigs fight fiercely and can harm each other and the owner. During the acquaintance and settlement, a person should prepare a towel in case they have to separate the rodents. It is categorically impossible to interfere with bare hands, animals react aggressively to humans.

Two guinea pigs will be wary of each other. At the first meeting, everyone should sniff a friend, so the rodents get to know each other.

The chatter of teeth, ruffled hair, chases and pursuits should not be stopped. Pigs define the hierarchy in a pair. Until the animals figure out who is in charge, they will not be able to find a common language.

If a fight broke out between rodents:

• you can knock loudly near the cage so that the sharp sound distracts the animals;
• helps to spray the ball from the spray bottle with warm water;
• separate manually, through a dense fabric, or in coarse mittens.

After the conflict, the pigs should be settled for several weeks in different rooms. Attempts to make friends with pets will have to start over. After meeting in neutral territory, it is recommended to settle the rodents through the bars close to each other. This will allow the animals to get used to the presence of a neighbor in safety.

Video: about pair and single keeping of guinea pigs