Need Help! I really screwed up on introducting two males

[Rbrick]

Hello all,

I am new to this forum and stumbled on it while trying to figure a way out of this jam. I have had my first cavvy for about two years. He is a sweet black and white with a silly personality. I thought it would be a good idea to get another male for a companion. Unfortunately I did not research this and on an impulse, I got a pink eyed white one. We call him Jerry. Well I got him from a pet shop. He is about 6-8 weeks. He is taking over the cage big time. They have been fighting like crazy and I don't know what to do.

Blood has been drawn, and I don't have the room to get a second cage. This is what happens when you purchase on impulse.

Any suggestions, because I am to the point where I need to get rid of the newer guy. Don't get me wrong, both are great guys, but the new one is a bit too agreesive for the older one and seems to be whipping him into submission.

Ouch.

Thanks for any help.

[Jennicat]

What sized cage are your guinea pigs in? Do they have two of everything? Where were they introduced at?

[Rbrick]

Thank you for your response. The cage is 18" x 32". They have two of everything accept the water bottle. The original den the older one was in has been overtaken by the younger one. It's location is underneath a ledge that has a ramp. That seems to be the prime location for a cavvy that wants solitude. Apparently the older one gave up the location since the younger one is too aggressive.

[Jennicat]

It's going to be very difficult to get any two males to get along in a cage that size. Unless I've done my math wrong, that cage is approximately 4 square feet, which is a little under half what is reccomended as a bare minimum for two boys. 10 square feet is really more apt for them. Check out Guinea Pig Cages, Your Cavy At Home for tips on how to build a cage that's larger and will allow them to get along better.

[Foggycreek]

I agree. The bigger cage, the better.

Check out the page on introductions at Index of /.

[newchi]

I heard that you can set another cage right next to the one you have and put the youger cavy in the new one and let them get used to each other before putting them in one cage. But I do think you will need a bigger cage for the 2 of them.

[Foggycreek]

Any updates? Did you get the bigger cage done yet?

[applelady]

I also have one more tip to add.. of course you still need more room for your pigs. But this worked with my two previous pigs. Pigs that bathe together, stay together. Give your pigs a bath together. I'm not sure why this works, whether it's the fact that they will both smell exactly the same when it's over, or the fact that they have gone through something unpleasant together, but it really does help bond guinea pigs. Just make sure you use proper bathing techniques. You'll need a small tub.. I use a rubbermade tote. And Shampoo for Guinea pigs, I have read that you can also use baby shampoo, but have also read not to.. so you may want to research that on your own. Have towels ready and dry them thoroughly.

[Rbrick]

Thank for the reply all of you. Unfortunately, I did not get a bigger cage yet. I just don't have the room. I should have visited this site before. However, I did put them through the bathing ordeal. I am not sure if this will work yet, I will give them time.

Thanks

[Foggycreek]

Unfortunately, it's going to ve very hard for your two males to live together happily in your cage. It's even too small for one pig, let alone two males who don't get along.

Did you check out the Guinea Pig Cages, Your Cavy At Home site? You can be quite creative with the cages. Surely there must be some corner of your house, some piece of furniture you don't use much. Many people put the cages on top of tables, then use the space underneath for storage.

Your guinea pigs will be much happier and healthier if you can someone work it out for a bigger cage.