What is Male Dominance in Guinea Pigs?

There can be only one sexually mature male in a guinea pig herd, and sexual behavior from young males is not tolerated. As the young males attain sexual maturity, dominance battles can result between the lead male and any challengers, or even amongst the younger males. The males threaten each other by hissing, rattling their teeth and stiffening their bodies. They may try to circle each other, attempting to get access to the other males' back. They will then bite at each other, trying to do so on the chest or the back of the neck. This fighting will continue until the weaker male submits, and is driven from the herd.

The young males will often pick out a female and start their own family in a new location. In the cage, there is no escape for the losers in a dominance fight, and they must be removed or they will die from starvation and exhaustion, as the alpha male drives them from food, water and sleeping spots.

To prevent dominance battles from injuring your guinea pigs, it is important to separate the males from the herd when they attain sexually maturity, between four and seven weeks of age.

As pets, two or more males can live together, provided they are given sufficient room and are never in contact with a female. It is the sexual behavior of males that induces dominance fighting, and the introduction of a female to a pair of males can permanently sever their friendly relations.

Some males actually have to be neutered to live together because they engage in sexual behavior without the presence of a female. Neutering does not lower aggressiveness, but it does eliminate sexual drive. However, even a neutered male will instinctually engage in sexual behavior if put in the company of a female.

In short, if you have males together, neutered or not, don't try to introduce a female to them.