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

**piggywonder** · #1 10-13-09, 06:26 pm

I'm just wondering if you REALY need two guinea pigs. Will they get depressed if i don't get a cage mate? do you absolutely need another? I have one, a female, and I'm not sure if i have to adopt another.
PLEASE HELP!

**wigglesgiggles1** · #2 10-13-09, 06:34 pm

You need two if you want to give it the best life possible. They are very social animals. Two or more are the way to go.

**Dichotomy83** · #3 10-13-09, 06:47 pm

You make it sound like its a chore! Honestly, I had one pig before getting him a friend, and I didnt see too much of an increase in workload with having two pigs. Actually, having a cagemate for Milo has really brought out the personality in both my pigs!

Just think of it this way...if you were a guinea pig, would you like to spend your life in solitude?

**sirigirl92** · #4 10-13-09, 06:55 pm

You hit the nail on the head Dichotomy83. Guinea Pigs love other pigs. They are herding animals, and you wont believe the stories I could tell you about my group. The more pigs you have, they better off they are. And any extra work is well worth it, because the rewards you get from them in love and fun memories are priceless. You cant pay for love like that.

**sirigirl92** · #5 10-13-09, 06:57 pm

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?

**Beahbeah** · #6 10-13-09, 07:35 pm

I've had single guinea pigs (i.e. one per cage) in the past, but when I adopted the two females I have right now, I was determined to get two. And it was the best thing I could've done, both for their happiness and my entertainment and joy in watching them. They are both so much more energetic than any of the single pigs ever were; every morning they wake me up early by running obstacle courses around their cage, and when one popcorns or wheeks the other one starts to do it too. Also, I think it makes them feel safer to have a friend in unfamiliar situations. For example, during floor time they are constantly 'talking' to each other quietly, as if to make sure that the other one is okay; or when they get scared they can huddle together and they feel more protected. They are the happiest pigs I have ever owned or known, and they clearly enjoy each others' company and love each other very much. The humane society where I adopted them actually had listed them together but said they could go to separate homes. This breaks my heart when I think that they would have been split up and would have missed out on all the companionship they have now.

AutumnGuineaPig · #7 10-13-09, 07:37 pm

Hmm, it most likely depends how much time you will be spending with them! If you have a good chunk of time each day to play with them and keep them company, than they may be alright alone!! But if you work, or go to school, its is most likely the best idea to get yours a cage mate, that whats I plan on doing!!

**louie_joey** · #8 10-13-09, 07:55 pm

Yes in my opinion you need 2. They are herd animals and enjoy each others company. Before my c&c I had 2 boys in seperate cages, but now that they are together my shy pig Louie is a much happier guy. Think of it as living all on your own with no other contact apart from these giant alien creatures that don't speak your language.

**ferndalezoo** · #9 10-13-09, 08:32 pm

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.

**Ly&Pigs** · #10 10-14-09, 01:34 am

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.

I agree FZ. I think some members got a little carried away and read a lot more into the post than is actually there.

Guinea pigs are very social creatures. They need a friend of their own species to talk to, play with, hang out with, etc.

**PiggieMamaKelly** · #11 10-14-09, 01:55 am

Just want to point out that age can make a difference. When I had my first single pig, everyone talked about how important it was to have two without mentioning that it doesn't always work out.

My pig was 4 years old and had always lived alone. She drew blood on all the "friends" I tried to give her (about 3-4 pigs). She had been alone too long to be willing to accept another pig sharing her space and food. She was a very happy old lady, just preferred to be solo.

In my experience, younger pigs are very easy to introduce to other pigs.

**princesspoppy** · #12 10-14-09, 02:25 am

2 is best. Could you imagine spending 5 years or more without someone to talk to or play with. That would make anyone depressed.

**CavyLuver516** · #13 10-14-09, 07:55 am

Great point there, princesspoppy. You defiantly need two pigs - that's nearly more important than anything!

**Buddy4** · #14 10-14-09, 08:00 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by princesspoppy

2 is best. Could you imagine spending 5 years or more without someone to talk to or play with. That would make anyone depressed.

I am new to GP's, but will share my experience. We bought Buddy (pre-enlightenment to this website) and put him in a pet store cage with bedding. He didn't do a whole lot, just kind of stayed in his hidey. Something seemed wrong to us, but we weren't sure. We started researching a bigger home because he had nowhere to go in his little cage. My daughter would let him run laps of her bedroom every night and he was happiest out of the cage. We found this website and build a C&C and used fleece bedding. He became a new and outgoing little guy. So much happier! Then we added his new friend, and he just seems more at ease. He is definitely the "elder" in their relationship, as Spike is just a few months old. They popcorn together. They do like a high five bumping their hind legs together. It's hilarious.

So...my point is, they just seem so much happier together, than apart!

**leyley904** · #15 10-14-09, 08:51 am

If its okay for me to ask a question.... is it the same for rabbits? I really want to get my bun a friend, and all of this would help me convince my mom

**piggywonder** · #16 10-21-09, 08:14 pm

I am just going to announce that I am getting a second GP! I am so happy!

**Heady** · #17 10-21-09, 08:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by piggywonder

I am just going to announce that I am getting a second GP! I am so happy!

Good for you!!! Not only will you be so happy, but so will your pig

Before I read this post, I was going to say that I had Santino by himself for a while (well, a bit over a month, I think) and from what I was told by the person I adopted him from, he was always alone. At 2 years old I worried about getting him a friend since he had been alone for so long. It did "work", but I think he's better off having Barney as a friend. My situation is different than most because I don't have a *real* job, so I was able to spend hours and hours with Santino when he was alone. Now that we have Barney, I can spend hours and hours with both of them!

Again, it's great that you're getting another! Well done!!!

**JordynThePiggie** · #18 10-21-09, 08:30 pm

I am actually looking for a piggy myself. I think she will be much happier when she has a friend to play with. I give her more than enough attention but like a lot of people have said on here, life would be boring WITHOUT any socialization ya know?

**horsiecutie** · #19 10-21-09, 08:36 pm

I am so happy for you! I got my new piggy soon after I got my first pig. They are currently STILL in their petstore cage

(I am working on my parents 'bout the C&C) but I can see a real difference in Chex's behaviour. He is so happy and so is the new piggy.

**distancel** · #20 10-21-09, 09:54 pm

That's good you are getting him a friend. Like a few others have said, I definitely saw I big change in my Buffy once she had Avril to play with. She is still as chilled out and friendly as she always was but now seems to play a lot more. And she seems a lot more mischevious and I'm pretty sure Avril is the ringleader of that which is funny as Avril is the younger of the two.

One thing I was concerned about was when I introduced them I was very alarmed at their behaviour and it was distressing to see Buffy chasing Avril around and Avril refusing to submit for a while there. She would also squeal quite loudly and I thought Buffy was really hurting her but it turns out she wasn't. I began to worry that they would never get along. But once I put them both into a brand new c&c cage together, after a couple of hours they were fine together.

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