We got a new guinea pig and it is not getting along with our other one?

Question

We have slowly introduced them but they still are not getting along. They nearly killed each other last time they were put together. Help me, we love them both.

Answer 1

Are they both males or both females? That could be the problem perhaps...there may be a dominance issue if they are same s*x rodents.

Answer 2

Maybe one day someone will kidnap you and put you in a cage with someone who is terrified.  Hopefully you two will like eachother!  Because, well, your captors love you both!

Answer 3

If you really want to keep both, don't force them together. Put a divider in the cage they share (or better yet buy a separate cage) or make one like from this website and separate it into two halfs: www.guineapigcages.com/

Answer 4

you can not add more. just kept what you have..

Answer 5

It will take two males some time before they get used to each other. Dominance behaviour, chasing, nipping even, is normal but don't let them hurt each other.

Most important...make sure the cage is big enough, they should each have room for themself, i.e. at least 2 cubbies/houses, there should be room enough for their eating area and room for their pooing area and after all that still room enough to move around without tripping over each other. Imagine yourself in a small house with another person. You'd want enough 'breathing' room.

Watch them closely, when they start getting a little too much at each other, raising heads, teeth chattering, yell at them, call their name and say no. really loudly. this gets mine to stop. They still do it more but never get to biting even when i'm not there.

If they chase continually, nip/hurt (but not bleed), then I'd separate them. They will always be anxious, not relaxed or happy, will start peeing wherever they are and laying in it because they are afraid to move. Who would want to live like that.

If it gets worse, to the point of bleeding, or the wide yawn looking thing where they are really showing their teeth as a sign of dominance. Separate them. Different cages from now on or until they are about 1 year old and not in adolescence.

Never let it get to the point of really attacking. If that happens, throw a towel over them, stick them both in the bath together and then you can try again but I'd just separate them for good.

Keep the cages next to each other and spend a lot of individual time with both.

Answer 6

Depending on how long they have been alone, they may never get along. Males are more dominant and your really have to introduce a male cage mate while they are younger. A female might work, but then they might breed. Sometimes it just doesn't work and even if it does they may change their minds later as they age (mine did). However, there are steps to help. New cage or disinfect the old one of ALL scents. Make sure it is big enough for 2 (2 X 4 or larger). Wash everything in the cage. If it can't be washed toss it. Give them a bath together, which will scare them. Dry them some and toss them into the new cage. Maybe you will get lucky. Humping and chattering are normal, but actual biting isn't. Good luck.

Answer 7

if they are both adult males then you may have to separate them cause adult males may fight if they are both females then the probability of them of fighting is less but i still recommend you to separte if this happens again then put a towel around them to confuse them and inmidiatly separte them before things get worse