How to Introduce Old Guinea Pigs to Young ones

Old Guinea Pigs
can be quite aggressive, when a young one comes to live with it. Since they’re
quite set in their ways, when other Guinea Pigs come to live with them, the
elder may even attack, leaving the younger with dangerous wounds.
Proper steps must
be taken for introductions between Guinea Pigs with a lot of age difference,
especially with males (boars), who are very protective of their territory.
Females (sows) aren’t so protective, but it’s still exquisitely important to
take the necessary precautions listed below.
1 Rub the young
Guinea Pig in straw/hay/bedding from the older one’s hutch/cage.
2 Introduce them
in a box which the younger has been brought home in, as then it will be its
territory, for young guinea pigs are lenient about such matters.
3 Give the Guinea
Pigs a carrot or food of that kind, divided in two portions so that they will
have some form of distraction, so that the only things in their environment is
each other, for then matters will likely turn into a fight.
4 If they will
live together, make a place in the hutch/cage where the young one can go if the
old one begins to bully it.
5 If the
interaction doesn’t work out, board up the cage in half (making d\sure they
each have a place to sleep), so it can be shared.
6 Supervise
interactions each day, until they become friends (they will, it’ll just take
time).
7 When they become
friends, take down the wall between their rooms, and let them live together.
If you follow
these precautions, it will be highly likely that your guinea pigs will become
friends, but if they don’t, don’t worry too much thinking about it. It will
happen in the end- you just need to let them have sessions together every day.
Incidentally, males are always very protective- so probably they will fight.
Remember, in the end they will gradually become friends, and come to respect
each other.
A trouble which
has been found when introducing boars to younger boars, is that the younger cuddles
the elder excessively, which the elder puts up with at first, but gets annoyed
later. Don’t try to do anything, just let them sort it out themselves. They
know what to do about this.

Guinea pig Activity Cycle

Guinea pigs are diurnal. This is the same as us humans, although they just snack through the day, whereas we eat proper meals.
You should try to set up schedules for guinea pigs, so that they will know when to expect meals, clean outs etc.

Living with a Rabbit

Guinea pigs should only live with rabbits if they know each other very well and you know the rabbit wouldn't hurt the guinea pig. Sometimes rabbits jump on the guinea pigs and the guinea pigs can get hurt. If they groom each other they are friends, however the rabbit may unintentionally hurt the guinea pig.

Houses for guinea pigs

If your Guinea pig does not have a nest box when its house is bought, there are a few ways to get a new one. You can buy one if you like, or make one yourself out of wood or cardboard. However, if you choose cardboard, every week it must be changed, for the guinea pig will probably nibble at it, and destroy it.If you like, simply cut a hole in the side of a box and stuff it with hay. The guinea pig will then proceed to make it comfortable for him/herself.

Grapes

Grapes are a subject of debate for feeding to Guinea pigs. Most people decline feeding them, but I think Guinea Pigs can eat them if there seedless. Then they can't choke!

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PVC Pipes

Guinea Pigs love tunnels. PVC Pipes make great ones, and are easy to find at the local hardware store. But there are a few safety cautions one needs to take. Here they are.

> Make sure the PVC Pipe is big enough. Guinea Pigs strangle themselves in pipes that are too small. Make sure they will still fit in it when they grow bigger.
> No sharp edges! Your pet woudn't like with a scratch on his side, and neither would you. Don't try to sandpaper the sides, simply buy one which is smooth.
> Be aware that the guinea pig probably won't want to go into it at first, unless he's accustomed to one. Don't force him inside. Just let him work it out himself, otherwise he'll learn it's a bad thing.