General: New with single pig and have a question

[Bluberryunicorn]

Hi, I have lone male piggy. He was my neighbors but they were going to take him to the pound. I did not want him to sit in the pound so I offered to take him while trying to find him a home with other piggies.
I have been looking for over a month now for his new home. I do think he is lonely because he absolutely loves being around my bunny, he goes up and cuddles with my bunny. And he loves getting attention from my cats (through the cage bars).
I actually did move him in with my bunny for a few days. But then I moved him back into his own cage. Neither he or my bunny were very happy about that when I moved him back! My bunny spent the next hour thumping about his cage!
Well, after trying unsuccessfully for over a month to find him a home, I decided to maybe just keep him and try to find a friend for him. Well so far I'm not having any luck finding another piggy either. But we finally named the piggy today, his name is Jupiter (keeping the theme from our bunny's name which is MilkyWay)
Anyway, I wanted to ask opinions on whether or not my piggy is okay without a friend.
He is living in one of those standard guinea pig cages sold in pet stores...BUT... the door to his cage is open for most of the day so he can come and go as he pleases. He has an entire room to romp around in. The bunny's cage is also in that room, and his cage door is also open so he can run around.
I know it isn't ideal, but is it okay or should I just give up and take him to the pound so they can try to find him a home with another piggy?

[ameyjaney]

Guinea pigs are sociable by nature so i think it goes without saying that your pig will be happier in the company of another pig. Rabbits and guinea pigs are entirely different species and i'm concerned about the bunnys cage and guinea pigs cage open so they can roam around. Is this at the same time? Also consider building a C&C cage for your guinea pig. Don't give up on this piggie instead embrace it and have fun learning along the way .

[JD In Van]

While rabbits and guinea pigs can seem to be good friends and do enjoy eachother's company there's many many cases of rabbits inadvertantly harming and killing their piggy friends and so it's not a good idea for them to be together.

Where are you? We may be able to help you find him a friend, or a reputable rescue who can help you find a home for him.

[akstrohm]

First, do not put your pig with the rabbit. They have different dietary needs (i.e. guinea pigs need vitamin C and rabbit pellets can have antibiotics in them that harm pigs), and even a small rabbit can easily unintentionally hurt or kill a guinea pig. Plus rabbits can carry diseases that can be transmitted to a guinea pig.

The choice to rehome the pig is yours, but if you decide to do so, please try to find a suitable home yourself rather than taking him to the pound. Guinea pigs are not cheap or easy to care for. You should consider that he and his future friend will need at least a 10.5 square foot single-level cage (more is better), fresh veggies twice daily, and vet care when needed (which can get quite expensive). That said, they are wonderful pets if you have the time, energy, and money.

If you keep him, your pig definitely needs a friend. If you post your general location, we can help you find another pig. Also ask your local shelters to call if they get one in, and check Craigslist and Petfinder regularly. Also before you get another pig, make sure the one you have is really a male. A lot people don't sex them properly, so don't trust what anyone told you (other than a vet). You will need to quarantine the new pig for three weeks in a separate room behind a closed door.

If you decide to keep the pig, he will definitely need a bigger cage. Even if he can roam around the room during the day, he needs to be able to exercise on his terms, not yours. Guinea pigs are active 24 hours a day. If you want to keep him free in the room 24 hours a day, that's fine too.

Definitely read over the stickies on nutrition including the charts and sample menus too.

[Bluberryunicorn]

Originally Posted by akstrohm

The choice to rehome the pig is yours, but if you decide to do so, please try to find a suitable home yourself rather than taking him to the pound. Guinea pigs are not cheap or easy to care for. You should consider that he and his future friend will need at least a 10.5 square foot single-level cage (more is better), fresh veggies twice daily, and vet care when needed (which can get quite expensive). That said, they are wonderful pets if you have the time, energy, and money.

Well, I was hoping that having the whole room to himself all day would be enough space for him. I really do not have room or money for a larger cage, so I guess this means I should keep looking for a home for him?

If you keep him, your pig definitely needs a friend. If you post your general location, we can help you find another pig. Also ask your local shelters to call if they get one in, and check Craigslist and Petfinder regularly. Also before you get another pig, make sure the one you have is really a male. A lot people don't sex them properly, so don't trust what anyone told you (other than a vet). You will need to quarantine the new pig for three weeks in a separate room behind a closed door.

There is no way the shelter will agree to call me if they get a piggy in. I've been keeping my eyes on craigslist, but since I can't get a bigger cage it seems there is no point anyway. I am in Bremerton, WA. I am disabled and can't drive distance so any rescues would have to be pretty close by.

If you decide to keep the pig, he will definitely need a bigger cage. Even if he can roam around the room during the day, he needs to be able to exercise on his terms, not yours. Guinea pigs are active 24 hours a day. If you want to keep him free in the room 24 hours a day, that's fine too.

I could probably let him free in the room 24 hours a day, since he does poo but he doesn't seem to pee on the carpet. Does that sound right or am I just not seeing any pee thats there?

Definitely read over the stickies on nutrition including the charts and sample menus too.

Thank you, I already know a little about them and feel pretty good about what I'm feeding him and stuff but I will take a look. Also his cage has more space than normal because there is no igloo or hay bale to take up space. There is a shelf that makes a 2nd level. He can jump up onto it and his hay basket is up there. The shelf is low enough that it serves as a private hiding spot. I feed him dark leafy greens, and I also skewer baby carrots and hang that in the cage.

I have NO idea how to sex a guinea pig.