Adopting Do i need two? - Page 2 - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Cogni** · #21 10-21-09, 10:42 pm

Great to hear all this, it confirms my gut feeling about getting two. I'll also mention that the good rescues I called required the adopters to either have another guinea pig at home or adopt two.
Can't resist adding that I love the image of a herd of guinea pigs. Like a herd of buffaloes, stampeding over the plains. Only very, very low to the ground. LOL.

**GizzyandMe** · #22 10-22-09, 05:46 am

I understand and agree with all the reasons to get a friend for Gizzy and I have been on a waiting list now for a couple of months but will step up my search another notch once her cave is here.

I just have a question...will she loose interest in me? I know this is VERY selfish but its just me and her! So if she gets a friend will I loose out on the morning wake up calls and loud chatter when I take too long in the shower and the ecstatic wheeking when I walk into the house at night?

So while I am prepared 100% to get a friend for Gizzy I was just wondering if any of you who went from one to two felt your GP ignored you more to play with their new friend.

I also realize that it is quite sad to think of Gizzy as my best friend but she is my first pet ever and I guess I am going a bit over board!?!?

**piggywonder** · #23 10-22-09, 07:59 am

I'm pretty sure that your GP will NOT lose intrest in you. If she is that attached to you (just like me and Dizzy) I think she will still bond, and now two will bond with you!

**distancel** · #24 10-22-09, 05:41 pm

I don't think Gizzy will change at all. If anything he will just be happier when you are not around. I had Buffy on her own for a while before I got her a friend, and she is still just as friendly and cuddly as she was before she got a friend. She is a bit more outgoing now and popcorns more in her cage and that's about the only difference. I think that's a good difference though!

I had the same concern as you but when you think about it, you have to think what is best for the guinea pig, and for me Buffy was on her own whenever I wasn't home and it wasn't fair on her no matter how much attention I would give her when I was here it didn't make up for hours of solitude. I'm sure your piggie will be happy to have a friend

**piggywonder** · #25 10-22-09, 08:11 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirigirl92

But not for nothing, If your only concerned about the work load on you, I have to wonder how much attention she even gets from you? They would rather be with their own kind then with people. If its such a chore for you, why even have pigs? If you cant meet all of their needs, why even bother?

I spend almost every waking moment with her once i get out of school. I have no problem caring for her & cleaning her cage & feeding her & whatever she needs, I give her. I simply wanted to know if they prefer to have a companion or not!

I have had hamsters before & they specifically tell you not to have more than one because they are solitary animals and after maturity, will fight with others. I only wanted to know if this was the same for guinea pigs or if they like companions.
Thank you!!!!

Thank

**piggywonder** · #26 10-22-09, 08:14 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferndalezoo

Are you people reading the same thread I am?! No where in the original post does it say s/he is concerned about the work load. No where in the original post does Piggywonder call it a "chore". S/he asked if it is necessary to have more than one pig. That's it.

In my experience, with few exceptions, yes, you are better off with two (or more, but "the more you have the better" isn't accurate for most people). They are herd (not HERDING, that'd be like a cattledog!) animals and do best in groups of their own species.

Thank you very much.