We have two girls of our own (Daisy and Rose). They get plenty to eat, but always act like they’re starving. They don’t steal food from each other, but they both act like someone is going to steal their food.

Etch had a traumatic youth because he was abused by his siblings (severely: torn ears and scars all over his belly). As such he wouldn’t tolerate the presence of any other guinea pigs. My daughter is his herd. He gets along well enough with our girls when he’s here now, but they stay in their own pen, so he still has a separation.

I think his time being the only pig in the pen has given him the confidence of a king. He lets food wait until he feels like eating it.