Pet Information > ASK Experts > Exotic Pets > Guinea Pigs > An aggressive guinea pig

An aggressive guinea pig

21 14:08:12

Question
QUESTION: I got two guinea pigs for my birthday over this past Christmas...then I adopted another early in January.  One of the first ones I got (Felix) is extremely aggressive towards the newest one (Gingerbread).  Would neutering the aggressive one do anything?  Any other recommendations?
By the way, it's not a cramped cage...it's 6ft x 2ft.

ANSWER: Hi Courtney

Can you tell me, are the pigs male or female?

andy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: All male pigs.

Answer
Hi

Thanks for that info.

Neutering doesnt usually have an effect. However, some behaviour that we perceive to be aggressive is just males' way of deciding which will be the dominant pig. Unless there is actual fighting, this is probably what is happening. For example, chasing, bottom sniffing etc.

If it is fighting and blood has been drawn there is usually little chance of a happy life together but you could bath both pigs to disguise their scent. That has worked for me in the past.

Andy