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My male guinea pigs are fighting and one has bite wounds. What to do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Exotic | Unknown - Exotic

I have two male guinea pigs, which I rescued November of last year; both of thew were found together. They have got along great up until last week, when I noticed one had bites on his right nostril and left lip. Though upon closer inspection, his right lip was a swollen and a little red, when I checked inside his mouth I saw some pus looking substance so I thought it was an abscess from another bite. I do not know why they started fighting out of the blue and I do not know what to do.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Todd Cecil

Answered By Todd Cecil

Veterinarian

Published on April 22nd, 2020

Thanks for reaching out about Cookie and including photos. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. This could be due to bite wounds but also possible dental disease. As guinea pigs mature, they might become more territorial and competitive. Is a larger cage possible, providing multiple feeding and water stations, more hiding places. Not all individuals get along, and might need to be separated.
Good luck.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 23rd, 2019

    Hi and thanks for your request.
    Any bite wound should be considered infected and should ideally treated as soon as possible with appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics.
    I would separate him from the others as well.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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