Dominance Fighting or just dominance? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Froggirl009** · #1 10-16-09, 08:51 pm

I'm not exactly sure what dominance is considered. For example, today sugar was drinking out of the water bottle. Then Cinnamon came up to her and nips/squeeked at her. Sugar ran away and Cinnamon sniffed the water bottle and then went back into her tunnel. The same thing happens while eating hay and veggies. Is this normal?

**JD In Van** · #2 10-16-09, 08:53 pm

I'm not so sure about girls but amongst boys that's totally normal. I think they shove at eachother and such just cause they can :P

**akstrohm** · #3 10-16-09, 09:17 pm

Yes, that's normal.

**Toadies** · #4 10-17-09, 08:27 am

Sometimes dominance issues can be detrimental to one of the piggs, as the pushy one won't let the submissive one eat or drink. Two of everything at opposite ends of the cage can be a help, as the dominant pigg can't guard everything all of the time. Even if you don't put in multiple food dishes, etc, it's a good idea to have multiple water bottles.

saphira1354 · #5 10-17-09, 01:38 pm

l have two young males Hurley likes to be pushy with Snoppy you say thats normal what about the jumping around like he having a seizure is that normal but then they sqeek to eachother until they find eachother is this mean they will get along they can eat together just not drink Hurley intends on bulling Snoopy. Please help!!

**JD In Van** · #6 10-17-09, 06:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by saphira1354

l have two young males Hurley likes to be pushy with Snoppy you say thats normal what about the jumping around like he having a seizure is that normal but then they sqeek to eachother until they find eachother is this mean they will get along they can eat together just not drink Hurley intends on bulling Snoopy. Please help!!

Having two young males there's going to be a lot of this because they're going through puberty at the same time. Mine bully eachother, chase eachother and what not. That's why people recommend you have a wide age differance between males.

As long as they're not drawing blood they're fine. Get a second water bottle. With males you need 2-3 of everything in your cage on opposite ends so that the dominate male can't block EVERYTHING.

You can also give the submissive male some extra lap time and give him what ever the bully is keeping from him if you need to.

As for the jumping around like he's having a seizure... does that pig scratch a lot? He could have lice/mites.

**ClaireM** · #7 10-17-09, 07:04 pm

My guineas don't bully each other. I have two boars and lately one seems to be intent on impregnating the other, even though not physically possible! It only happens rarely, but when it does, it can last hours, and the one trying to show dominance squeals and squeaks nonstop until he feels he has made his point, which, like i said, can last hours. Is this normal???

**lissie** · #8 10-20-09, 03:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by saphira1354

what about the jumping around like he having a seizure is that normal

That sounds like a happy popcorning pig.
http://www.guinealynx.info/behavior.html#popcorn