Rumblestrutting Do my boys hate each other?

[alicorn2]

We have two males; they were rehomed to us at Christmas at about a year old. (Original owners got them from the pet store together, but doesn't think they are litter mates.)

So we've had them for about 7 months now, and they're getting close to 2 years old. They constantly squabble. CONSTANTLY. Brownie will come up into Tracer's face and rumblestrut at him. Tracer will chatter his teeth at Brownie. They chase each other around in circles. Tracer will put his neck over Brownie's rump and push down on him.

There's never any violence/biting/etc but they don't seem to really like each other. They have a 5x2 cage with a 2x2 upper level (one ramp).

Is this how boys just get along with each other? Or are they actually unhappy? I've never had guinea pigs before so I don't have any sense of what's normal.

 

[bpatters]

Sounds perfectly normal to me.

 

[alicorn2]

Well that's good. I see pictures of other people's piggies cuddling or seeming to enjoy each other and ours don't so I wasn't sure. Kind of hate to think they're miserable together.

 

[bpatters]

I never had two pigs that cuddled, except when they were in the carrier on the way to the vet. The strangeness of riding in the car made them best friends for the day.

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

Piggie personalities vary greatly.

What you're describing seems like behavior from a couple of boys who get along pretty well. As long as there is NO bloodshed, you're doing ok.

The first two pigs I had were never really "buddies". They tolerated each other, occasionally played together but that's about it. The next two, however, were littermates and very, VERY attached to one another. They were inseparable. They were almost always next to each other, or snuggling together or playing together.

The two I have now also have a great relationship. One was an only pig who had never known another until I got him, and his new brother had other friends beforehand and took a bit to warm up to Leo. Leo, however, always has to be near Simon. Rarely lets him out of his sight, and I believe that's because losing Scooter changed him. He's worried Simon will disappear one day too.

Once Simon got used to Leo, they're great buddies. But again, as long as there's no bloodshed they're doing fine. You may not get the lovey dovey snugglers, but rest assured they're happy with their friend.