Isent it alright?

**cowgirl411** · #1 03-01-08, 05:40 pm

Isent it alright to get just one guinea pig?

**OSUCavies** · #2 03-01-08, 06:20 pm

Some people only choose to get one, but guinea pigs are herd animals which mean they do much better in pairs/groups.

I have four and they have lots of fun playing and popcorning together. To ensure your guinea pig has the best life it can have, not only would it be a good idea to build a C&C cage, but to also build one large enough for him/her to have a friend.
If you do not want to go through the surgeries of having a boy neutered or a female spayed, I would get 2 females or 2 males to make sure there is no breeding going on.

But YES, it is definitely a good idea for your guinea pig to have a companion. Think of it this way, if you were confined to a cage your whole life, would you want to be alone?

**newpiggiemommy** · #3 03-01-08, 06:35 pm

I have 5 piggies, and I have to keep one of them seperated because he is a boy (not old enough to get neutered yet).

I had to seperate him when he was 3 weeks old and he is definately not happy by himself. I can't wait until I can get him neutered so he can be back with his friends.

So, from my experience, it is better to have more than one!!! Besides if you get one, you will want to get another one soon after anyway, so you might as well just get two right away! They are very addictive!!!

**cowgirl411** · #4 03-01-08, 06:36 pm

Ok,now i am considering two...............

**Cherish** · #5 03-01-08, 07:16 pm

You'll also get a lot more enjoyment out of them if you have more than one.

They'll be more active, more vocal and more fun to watch!

Plus, they're usually less skittish and afraid of people if they have a little friend with them to back them up!

**cowgirl411** · #6 03-01-08, 07:35 pm

Well the humane society that im going to adopt a piggie from, they only have one so........

**auburnmare5** · #7 03-01-08, 07:41 pm

I only have one pig and I don't see much of any difference when he was with another pig. I think you would be fine with one, although many say "Get two!, Get two!", I think either way, you can go with one, or all the piggers in the world!

(I wish)

**piggly wiggly** · #8 03-01-08, 08:04 pm

I would say two are much happier. I know most of us would like another human to talk to and play with, same with a piggy. Of course this does not mean every pig in the world would like to be paired up, some are just loners, but I think the majority would like to have a friend to be with and play with.

**fourboys4now** · #9 03-01-08, 09:22 pm

Maybe you can adopt the one at the local humane society you were talking about, and then hopefully down the road you can adopt another one if possible. I would just be sure and spoil the piggy you get if you get just one to begin with. They are so full of personality. I'll be at work and cannot wait to get home to spend time with all my boys! They are one of the best parts of my day.

**caribear** · #10 03-01-08, 09:55 pm

I agree with fourboys4now. If you are just getting the one, maybe consider getting another later. I got just 1 at first then when another single came available, that got along with my pig, I got him. I do think they are addicting. I would quite possibly have more then 2 if I had more space(currently 10sq ft) and time.

**VoodooJoint** · #11 03-01-08, 09:59 pm

Cowgirl, read your Private Messages before you post further on the board.

**HowietheGreat** · #12 03-01-08, 10:00 pm

It isn't about how much enjoyment we get out of it. Guinea pigs are herd animals. You cannot provide for them the same companionship that another guinea pig would. If you adopt one, make it a goal to adopt a second when one becomes available. You will need to put the 2nd through a quarantine period, but it will benefit them both to have a buddy. Two pigs is barely more work then one.

**Ly&Pigs** · #13 03-02-08, 01:15 pm

Cowgirl, please don't bring issues regarding private messages from the moderators onto public threads. Please respond to VoodooJoint via private message about your impactions. I unapproved your last post on this thread.

**PiggieLuffer** · #14 03-02-08, 03:42 pm

Guinea pigs can live alone but it isn't in their best interest. They like a pal to hang out with and cuddle with.

You probably wouldn't like it if your only friend was about 20 times bigger than you and didn't speak the same language, would you?

However if you decide on only one please make it a fantastic C&C cage and give him double the attention!

**cowgirl411** · #15 03-02-08, 05:02 pm

That is what I plan to do. Until another pig becomes available.

Thank you OSUCavies for this useful post, says:
HowietheGreat (03-01-08)

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