Welcoming a new bundle of baldness into your home is an exciting time - but not always for existing skinnies. What to do when the unthinkable happens and everyone is at each other's throats?

It’s time to explore the world of skinny pig aggression and learn all you need to do to restore harmony to your herd.

Why Is My Skinny Pig Acting Aggressively?

Firstly, determining why your skinny pig is behaving aggressively goes a long way towards solving the problem. Here are some reasons why your skinny pig may be acting out:

• Territorial Aggression: skinny pig’s can be territorial by nature. They may become aggressive when they feel their living space is being invaded.

• Social Hierarchy: Skinny pigs, like all guinea pigs, establish social hierarchies within a group. Aggression can arise as they determine their ranks and compete for dominance. They may engage in dominance behaviors like mounting, chasing or nipping to determine their place as the alpha.

• Mating and Sexual Aggression: Intact male skinny pigs can exhibit aggression toward other males in the presence of females, especially during mating attempts. They may also display aggression when competing for a female's attention.

• Stress and Fear: Skinny pigs, like all animals, may become aggressive if they are stressed or feel threatened. Stressors can include sudden loud noises, unfamiliar surroundings, or the presence of predators (from their perspective).

• Aggressive Personalities: Just like humans, guinea pigs have individual personalities. Some skinny pigs may be more prone to aggression due to their unique disposition.

• Maternal Aggression: This is specific to females with newborns. A mother skinny pig may become aggressive if she feels her babies are threatened. She will protect her young with aggressive behaviors like biting or chasing.

• Redirected Aggression: This can happen in situations where a skinny pig is frustrated or frightened but can't respond to the immediate threat, so it targets a cage mate.

• Pain-Induced Aggression: Animals in pain may become aggressive due to discomfort or injury. If a skinny pig is experiencing pain, it might lash out at others who come into contact with the painful area.

Recognizing Aggressive Behavior

Recognizing the signs of aggression is essential for addressing the issue. If your skinny pig is doing any of these things, he or she may need a timeout!

• Teeth Chattering: This is a vocalization that skinny pigs make when they are angry or agitated.

• Chasing and Nipping: Aggressive skinny pigs may chase and nip at others, particularly around the hindquarters.

• Hiding: A skinny pig that is constantly hiding or avoiding others might be doing so out of fear or as a response to aggression - find the bully in your herd!

• Biting and Scratching: Aggressive behaviors may escalate to biting and scratching if not addressed.

Preventing and Managing Aggression 

There is a lot you can do to minimize and control any aggressive behavior in your skinny pigs. Here are my top tips:

• Proper Habitat: Provide ample space for your skinny pigs with multiple separate hiding spots to minimize territorial disputes.

• Socialization: Skinny pigs are social animals, but not all of them get along. Introduce them gradually and monitor their interactions. Not all skinny pigs will be compatible, and some may need to be housed separately.

• Neutering/Spaying: If you have both male and female skinny pigs, consider neutering or spaying to reduce sexual aggression and posturing during mating season.

• Handling: Handle your skinny pigs gently and consistently to build trust and reduce stress.

• Seeking Expert Help: If aggression persists and becomes dangerous, consult a veterinarian or guinea pig expert for guidance.

Introducing a New Member to The Herd or a Bonded Pair

Introducing a new Skinny Pig to an existing herd or a bonded pair requires careful planning to minimize aggression and increase the chances of a successful introduction. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to introduce a new skinny pig:

• Quarantine: Before introducing any new skinny pig to your existing group, quarantine the new arrival in a separate enclosure for at least two weeks. This quarantine period allows you to monitor the newcomer for any signs of illness or parasites and ensures they are healthy before introducing them to your existing herd. It also allows them to get used to you and reduce the stress of being relocated to your home before you add the stress of introducing them to other animals.
• Choose an Appropriate Location: Select a neutral territory for the introduction. This is an area that none of the skinny pigs have been in before. This can help prevent territorial aggression.
• Supervised Introduction: When introducing the new skinny pig to the group, do it in a supervised manner. Place them in neutral territory and keep a close eye on their interactions. Never ever leave them unsupervised unless you are 120% certain of their reactions to one another.

• Use Barriers: Initially, you can separate the new skinny pig from the existing group with a mesh or see-through divider within the neutral territory. This allows them to see, smell, and communicate with each other without direct contact.

• Observe Behavior: Watch how the skinny pigs react to each other. Some vocalizations, mild posturing, and sniffing are normal. However, if you see any signs of aggressive behavior, such as chasing or biting, be prepared to separate them quickly.

• Gradual Introductions: Over several days or weeks, gradually reduce the barrier between the new skinny pig and the existing group. Continue to closely monitor their interactions. Patience my friends! I understand the desire to see everyone cuddling and getting along, but doing this slowly and consistently is far more likely to result in a successful bond than if you put them together too soon expecting harmony. All piggies are different - some may become fast friends quickly, while others may need more time to adjust. 

• Keep a Neutral Attitude: During introductions, it's essential to remain calm and neutral. Skinny pigs are highly attuned to human emotions, so your demeanor can influence their behavior.

• Provide Multiple Resources: Ensure there are plenty of hiding spots, food dishes, and water bottles so that the guinea pigs do not have to compete for resources. This can reduce potential conflicts.

• Be Prepared to Separate: Have a backup cage or enclosure available in case the introduction doesn't go well, and you need to separate them for safety.

• Seek Professional Help if Necessary: If aggression persists or escalates, or if any guinea pig shows signs of injury, consult with a veterinarian or a guinea pig behavior expert for guidance.

Remember that not all guinea pigs will get along, and it's possible that some individuals may need to be housed separately to prevent harm. However, with patience and careful introductions, you can maximize the chances of successful bonding within your skinny pig group.

Conclusion

It's important to recognize that aggression in animals is often a response to specific circumstances and it doesn't necessarily indicate that an animal is inherently aggressive. Proper care, understanding, and management can help mitigate aggressive behaviors and create a more harmonious environment for your pets. If you're concerned about aggression in your skinny pigs, it's a good idea to consult with a veterinarian or animal behavior expert (like me) for guidance. 

Keep giving your pets the best of natural life!

~PetCoachApril 

April Arguin A.S., C.P.N., M.P.H