Things You'll Need:
- Neutral space outside the cage
- Veggies
- Dustpan
- Materials for a new cage, if necessary
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Step 1
Try to determine why your guinea pigs are fighting. Guinea pigs can be very territorial animals, and they're more prone to fighting if they feel cramped. Is the cage big enough? 7.5 square feet is the bare minimum for two guinea pigs, and 10 square feet is better. Are there two of everything in the cage--food dishes, water bottles and hiding places? The guinea pigs might not like sharing, so making sure they each have their own toys is a good way to stop the squabbling.
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Step 2
If the cage isn't the issue, take the guinea pigs to a neutral space outside the cage. Distract them with a few veggies and see how they react. Teeth chattering, rumble-strutting, mounting and even a little fighting are normal guinea pig dominance behaviors. Don't separate them unless one of them is drawing blood.
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Step 3
If they are fighting to the point of drawing blood, you'll have to separate them. Use the dustpan to get between them so they don't accidentally bite you.
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Step 4
When guinea pigs can't live together, it's best to put them in separate cages. If space is an issue, cages can be stacked on top of each other, but if you have the room, it's best to have the cages side by side. This way, the guinea pigs can still see each other and interact, but they won't be able to fight.
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Step 5
After a few months, try reintroducing the guinea pigs to each other in a neutral area. If they've worked out their differences, they may be able to live together again.
Comments
alwaysandforeva said
on 9/30/2009 that cage looks like they are litterpan trained!!!! how do you do that!!!?????