Getting a second guinea pig

**sporkubus** · #1 07-02-08, 06:05 pm

Hi guys,

I am looking at adopting a second guinea pig to be a companion to my first. I've had her 3 years (she's about 4 years old) and I feel bad that I wasn't able to give her a friend before, but now my living situation is changing and I am free to make this choice.

I only have one concern... what is the likelihood that she won't get along with the new guinea pig? I am hoping to adopt a younger female - maybe a year old or so - and I'm worried that she will just be territorial or that they will fight. I don't really have the space to keep two guinea pigs in two separate cages for more than a short time.

What do you guys think? Should I just adopt a second guinea pig (and I do mean adopt, not purchase, don't worry) and hope that they get along? Am I just worrying for nothing?

**Ziggy&Herald** · #2 07-02-08, 06:57 pm

If you go to a reputable rescue, you can take her with you and they can help match one with her personality. Seeing as you have sows, introductions should go pretty smoothly. Good Luck. Hope you find one that will work soon.

**ittybitty98577** · #3 07-02-08, 07:50 pm

I wouldnt take your current pig to a shelter she can pick something up there and get sick you never know the airborn diseases at a shelter so many animals sick and healthy are going through there daily! Plus by now you should know your piggy, would a dominant, mellow, hyper or submissive female seem best. Although a local shelter not specializing in cavy's might now know all the pigs personalities. Its a toss up on which one you like and think will be great for your pig. Also are you going to quarintine for 3 weeks?
Have you read about intoductions and stuff like that?

**fourboys4now** · #4 07-02-08, 10:27 pm

I adopted a new boy to go into my existing herd of 4 that are in one cage. I was really worried about personalities because I drove a long way to get him and would have adopted him no matter his personality. I have read several posts where people recommend a buddy bath during introductions. I had never done this and decided to do it when I adopted Brewster. It was a great success. They were all so nervous about the water in the tub they did not have time to stop and think about the new boy and dominance. I would highly recommend a buddy bath when you are able to do intros. Good luck with adopting a new baby!

**alm_nin** · #5 07-02-08, 10:34 pm

I was also successful using the "buddy bath" to get my pigs to like each other. I don't know if any of you have read my previous posts, but I had been keeping one of my girls separate from my other two for the past FOUR YEARS because she seemed to get picked on whenever I tried introducing them. After reading everyone's suggestions here, I decided to try again about a week ago, this time with the "buddy bath". It worked great! There was a little bit of teeth chattering and chasing for the first day or two in their new larger cage, but now they all seem happy together!
Here's a picture the day of the introduction, just a few hours after the buddy bath:

**Ziggy&Herald** · #6 07-03-08, 12:10 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ittybitty98577

I wouldnt take your current pig to a shelter she can pick something up there and get sick you never know the airborn diseases at a shelter so many animals sick and healthy are going through there daily! Plus by now you should know your piggy, would a dominant, mellow, hyper or submissive female seem best. Although a local shelter not specializing in cavy's might now know all the pigs personalities. Its a toss up on which one you like and think will be great for your pig. Also are you going to quarintine for 3 weeks?
Have you read about intoductions and stuff like that?

I didn't say take the pig to a shelter. I said if it was a reputable rescue to take the pig in. Also, if the pig lives alone, how will you know how it will react to another pig? You don't really until you see them interact. A very sweet mild mannered pig can be the complete opposite when another pig is in the picture.

It is completely up to you how and where you get your new piggy. But if you do have the option of taking your pig into a reputable GP rescue, I would recommend it so you have some help pairing up personalities.

**PixieStix** · #7 07-03-08, 01:31 am

I know many people have successfully paired a pig who's lived alone for a long period with a friend. It just depends on the pig(s).

Quote:

Originally Posted by ittybitty98577

Plus by now you should know your piggy, would a dominant, mellow, hyper or submissive female seem best.

I don't know how someone where their pig is dominance wise, sporkubus hasn't seen her socialize with other pigs.

**Ly&Pigs** · #8 07-03-08, 11:25 am

Get a pretty young female and you shouldn't have any problems. You could also get an already neutered male. Sows tend to get along better than boars, but then there are always the cases of two very dominant sows that won't get along.

If you do have a reputable rescue near you, you can call them and see what their policies are on matching up pigs and see about bringing your girl in to meet potential cage mates. Reputable rescues treat their pigs for mites/parasites/illnesses, etc. If you only have regular shelters near you, then you wouldn't want to take your pig in to meet potential cage mates.

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