Not friendly

[Tfrog]

I have a home for my guinea pigs but Flossy's the only one who's usually in it. Polly is usually hiding in the hay. I thought this was the way Polly wanted it until I caught Flossy pushing her out!! Polly sometimes makes this high pitched piggy squeal. After watching for awhile I realised that this is her begging to be allowed into the house. Sometimes Flossy lets her in sometimes she doesn't. Flossy also steals food from Polly even when there's plenty there. There may be a large lettuce leaf just laying there but Flossy will steal the smaller piece that Polly has. Should I intervene or should I just leave it up to them to sort out? Flossy isn't hurting Polly and they do seem to be friends - Flossy can just be a bit spiteful sometimes.

 

[ca-Na]

im afraid if it continues, your other one will not be able to eat at all.

 

[kennethlhm]

Maybe you can separate dishes for both of them & put at different side.

 

[Treen]

Separate hiding places and separate food dishes would be good. It may be that they will still squabble over one though - a pig always wants what the other pig has most!

Keep an eye on Polly's weight if you're worried she's not getting enough food - that should help set your mind at rest, or reveal if there is a problem. I've had subordinate pigs that always seem to be pushed out of the way at meal times and have the best veg taken off them, but they've gained or retained weight as well as anyone else, and ultimately been just as happy with their role in the herd. What looks like bullying and terrorising to us, often isn't what's really going on - they just have a dominance structure and the top pig likes to make sure the underpig understands this by reminding them of the fact that he/ she can have the best house or the bit of veggie the other pig is eating if they want. It usually relates to food and space!

If Polly's weight is fine and it's not really stressing her out, I'd just leave them to it.

 

[Tfrog]

Thanks everyone! Last night I checked on my girls and they were snuggled up together inside their house I have also noticed that Polly makes that squeaking noise when she's eating sometimes, even if Flossy is nowhere near her. Silly Polly. They both seem happy and both are gaining weight. They 'popcorned' around the cage so much last night that they made the biggest mess. Ever seen a guinea pig popcorn under hay! lol We had hay flying everywhere. I think Flossy just likes to remind Polly who is boss every now and then.

 

[mncavylover]

That sounds like my two boars... they can't be separated sometimes, but others you are scared for the less dominant one. They are best buds though! =)