Bonding I dont know if I should keep them together

[Allyx3]

A couple months ago I got a guinea pig from someone who didn't want her anymore, I was told that she hadn't been held much in the past year and that they had her for two years. Samoa has always been a pretty skittish piggy. She doesn't like to be picked up, she shakes like a leaf if I let anyone new hold her, whenever I set her on the ground she mostly just hides. She never talks except to squeak in protest to being picked up, but she does like me I think. She doesn't shake when I hold her an pet her, she does when my boyfriend holds her. Anyway, I felt bad that she was all by herself and all she seemed to do was sit in her igloo and eat and drink. I thought she would be happier with a friend because I read countless times that they're supposed to be in pairs.

So, I knew not to get one from a pet store, and there isn't a rescue that's near by me so I was keeping an eye out for someone else on facebook and craigslist. That's how I found Boo! She is about two years old also, and is just a joy! She is almost the complete opposite of Samoa, she explores and runs around everywhere, she talks a lot, and she popcorns (which kind of freaked me out at first).

Anyway, I used to know the mother of the person who sold me the pig so I trusted her not to be sick. After a few days I introduced them and I thought it went pretty good. There wasn't any mounting, fighting, rumblestrutting, chattering, or anything. Samoa was mostly freaked out and didn't seem to know what to do and ate some of the hay and veggies I gave them and stood in a far corner. Boo on the other hand was very exciting she was popcorning everywhere, eating everything (she's kind of fat), and running up to samoa and samoa would make a movement and then Boo would popcorn away. So I cleaned their cage very thouroughly rearranged everything and stuck them in there and watched for a couple hours. Everything seemed fine, there was a few tense moments where they raised their heads at eachother and a sort of mini tiff and a piggie backed down and went in an igloo. But they seemed fine. But now I've caught Samoa chasing Boo nipping at her back side or just nipping at her in general. Sometimes Samoa squeals really loud when I go to pick her up even though I looked her over and she was fine. They seem like they are tolerating eachother but barely. I think Samoa is mean to Boo which makes me sad because Boo is so sweet and happy.

So what I'm wondering is is if they're fine and they will learn to get along, or if I should put them in different cages but near each other?

 

[Princess_Piggie]

A couple months ago I got a guinea pig from someone who didn't want her anymore, I was told that she hadn't been held much in the past year and that they had her for two years. Samoa has always been a pretty skittish piggy. She doesn't like to be picked up, she shakes like a leaf if I let anyone new hold her, whenever I set her on the ground she mostly just hides. She never talks except to squeak in protest to being picked up, but she does like me I think. She doesn't shake when I hold her an pet her, she does when my boyfriend holds her. Anyway, I felt bad that she was all by herself and all she seemed to do was sit in her igloo and eat and drink. I thought she would be happier with a friend because I read countless times that they're supposed to be in pairs.

So, I knew not to get one from a pet store, and there isn't a rescue that's near by me so I was keeping an eye out for someone else on facebook and craigslist. That's how I found Boo! She is about two years old also, and is just a joy! She is almost the complete opposite of Samoa, she explores and runs around everywhere, she talks a lot, and she popcorns (which kind of freaked me out at first).

Anyway, I used to know the mother of the person who sold me the pig so I trusted her not to be sick. After a few days I introduced them and I thought it went pretty good. There wasn't any mounting, fighting, rumblestrutting, chattering, or anything. Samoa was mostly freaked out and didn't seem to know what to do and ate some of the hay and veggies I gave them and stood in a far corner. Boo on the other hand was very exciting she was popcorning everywhere, eating everything (she's kind of fat), and running up to samoa and samoa would make a movement and then Boo would popcorn away. So I cleaned their cage very thouroughly rearranged everything and stuck them in there and watched for a couple hours. Everything seemed fine, there was a few tense moments where they raised their heads at eachother and a sort of mini tiff and a piggie backed down and went in an igloo. But they seemed fine. But now I've caught Samoa chasing Boo nipping at her back side or just nipping at her in general. Sometimes Samoa squeals really loud when I go to pick her up even though I looked her over and she was fine. They seem like they are tolerating eachother but barely. I think Samoa is mean to Boo which makes me sad because Boo is so sweet and happy.

So what I'm wondering is is if they're fine and they will learn to get along, or if I should put them in different cages but near each other?

Sorry to hear Samoa came from such a bad place! And made up to hear Boo's so full of joy!

Anyway, as I'm sure you've read, guinea pigs are like little people with their likes and dislikes. While nipping is nothing to worry about at first, it's just sorting out who's boss, you want to make sure everything stays smooth with your two girls because they're such social animals, they really do need a cage mate if possible.

Try doing a neutral introduction. As Boo is so friendly, have your boyfriend hold boo while you hold Samoa, and sit on the couch at opposite ends with a freshly washed towel in between the two of you. (make sure it's not been washed with perfumed soaps etc as it can irritate the pigs skin). Let them notice each other, sniff toward each other etc, and then edge closer bit by bit, making sure everything's staying calm for them both. Once you are sitting side by side and the two girls are up close, let them get a feel for each other. If things are still calm, edge away and let the pigs roam on the towel (obviously making sure they can't do a flying leap of the couch too!).

It's a great way to keep things neutral and supervised

It doesn't surprise me however that Samoa is unhappy about Boo being in her cage. Samoa has grown accustomed to being alone, without human or piggie contact, so she will be less happy to accept a new cage mate. For now I would make sure you double up in the cage supplies, i.e two food bowls, two hay racks, two bottles, two hideys (which must have at least two exits in case of fighting in a hidey)

Hope all goes well!

 

[foggycreekcavy]

They're already together. Leave them together to work things out.

But only if the cage is large enough. How big is it? Is it a C&C Cage?