Introducing a new piggie

[kat_0521]

Hi. I'm new to the forum but am a long time guinea pig owner and lover. About 3 days ago, I introduced a new guinea pig to the one I already own. Tigger is about 5 years old and VERY spoiled. She knows she's Queen Bee. So I was unsure how she was going to react to Luna, who is 6 weeks old. (and still petrified of me...but we're working on it. It's a process.)
Once I introduced them, Tigger starts rumbling (or purring) and circling the cage. This freaked out Luna and it turned into a bit of a chasing thing. This was the first night and since then, Tigger has improved a lot. They now eat out of the same bowl and sleep together under the little wooden hutch. But every once in a while, if Luna gets scared and runs off to hide, then Tigg starts rumbling and chasing her again.
Is this a "comforting, everything's going to be OK" type of noise?? I know that they are both females (Tigger had a litter of 4 piggies two or three years ago) but it's almost like she's "rumble-strutting".
Can anyone offer any help? I'd really appreciate it.
Oh, and sorry if I put everyone to sleep with the whole story here.
Thanks again
~Kat~

 

[TheAlmightyMiko]

Sounds like the introduction went smoothly to me!

What you are describing sounds like rumblestrutting; you can tell very easily by the sound they make (a "brrrr" sound) and the way they walk; they will shift their hind legs and look like they are "crawling" low to the ground. This is generally a non aggressive behaviour on its own, and is really nothing to worry about. My boars do it all the time, and nothing ever comes of it. For my pigs, it seems like it could be a "I want my own space" or "stop eating all my lettuce" type of sound ;O)

If you read cavy spirit's page on introductions and scroll about 1/2 way down, there is a description of normal behaviour in the attempt to establish dominance and "aggressive" and more dangerous behaviour. Here is the link: www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm . (look carefully, it is there, I promise!)

Did you quarantine your new pig before the introductions? If not, you will have to make sure you keep on the lookout for ANYTHING abnormal, i.e. excessive scratching, hairloss, laboured breathing, crusty eyes, runny nose, weight loss, change in eating or drinking patters etc. etc. Pigs can and will hide illness very well, and most illesses can be passed on to other pigs. Have a good exotics vet lined up just in case. This link https://www.guinealynx.com/emergency.html will give you the common symptoms to watch out for.

If you do notice serious fighting, rather than trying to seperate them (defeating the purpose of a successfull pairing), try giving the entire cage (hidey houses, toys, towels, everything) a thorough clean with vinegar and water, and washing any cloth items you have in hot water. If that still doesn't work to "neutralize" the territory, you can try a buddy bath to help them bond out of necessity (both techneques located on the above link to cavy spirit's social life page, although the buddy bath is really a last resort.)

Hope this all helps, but by the sound of things, everything is OK already

 

[dagwellismypigy]

They sound absolutly fine

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Sounds like they are still sorting dominance issues, perfectly normal behavior. You have nothing to worry about.

 

[kat_0521]

Thank you very much!
I wasn't sure if Tigg was rumblestrutting...I thought only males displayed that behavior. What you're describing is exactly what she's doing. And thanks for the links-those were very helpful also.
I already had my new piggie, Luna checked out by my local vet and he gave her a clean bill of health.
Thanks again.
~Kat~

Sounds like the introduction went smoothly to me!

What you are describing sounds like rumblestrutting; you can tell very easily by the sound they make (a "brrrr" sound) and the way they walk; they will shift their hind legs and look like they are "crawling" low to the ground. This is generally a non aggressive behaviour on its own, and is really nothing to worry about. My boars do it all the time, and nothing ever comes of it. For my pigs, it seems like it could be a "I want my own space" or "stop eating all my lettuce" type of sound ;O)

If you read cavy spirit's page on introductions and scroll about 1/2 way down, there is a description of normal behaviour in the attempt to establish dominance and "aggressive" and more dangerous behaviour. Here is the link: www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm . (look carefully, it is there, I promise!)

Did you quarantine your new pig before the introductions? If not, you will have to make sure you keep on the lookout for ANYTHING abnormal, i.e. excessive scratching, hairloss, laboured breathing, crusty eyes, runny nose, weight loss, change in eating or drinking patters etc. etc. Pigs can and will hide illness very well, and most illesses can be passed on to other pigs. Have a good exotics vet lined up just in case. This link https://www.guinealynx.com/emergency.html will give you the common symptoms to watch out for.

If you do notice serious fighting, rather than trying to seperate them (defeating the purpose of a successfull pairing), try giving the entire cage (hidey houses, toys, towels, everything) a thorough clean with vinegar and water, and washing any cloth items you have in hot water. If that still doesn't work to "neutralize" the territory, you can try a buddy bath to help them bond out of necessity (both techneques located on the above link to cavy spirit's social life page, although the buddy bath is really a last resort.)

Hope this all helps, but by the sound of things, everything is OK already