Soon to be piggie owner :) - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**AB71651** · #1 01-19-09, 03:29 pm

Hey all,

I am new to this site and have a question to ask...
I have a quiet, open apartment that is perfect for a guinea pig and i've wanted one for the longest time and have finally decided to adopt one. I plan on getting a short-haired female and already have all of the supplies. I am in the midst of making my c&c cage (waiting on some grids).

My question is, Is it okay to have just one guinea pig? I have read some articles where people are strongly against a loner pig but I feel like I only need one until I am completely confident with the piggie. I have plenty of time on my hands to take care of the piggie but would it be okay to wait and adopt another one after the first one is used to me? Is it easier to just adopt two to start with because the transition will be easier on them or is it going to take away from the piggies bonding with me?

I'm not sure what to do and I've read so many differing posts. Any information will do...thanks for the help!!!

**AB71651** · #2 01-19-09, 03:34 pm

I answered my own question...I found the social life article...WHOOPS
Two girlies it is

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #3 01-19-09, 04:08 pm

You should adopt two. They need a friend.

**dra&pigs** · #4 01-20-09, 12:44 pm

Two is also better because if you adopt them as a pair you don't have to go through intros and dominance issues, because they usually have already been settled.

**PokeyPig** · #5 01-25-09, 03:55 am

I have a very similar situation. I have a very small studio apartment and I do not have room for a large or elaborate cage, so I just have the one piggie. He seems very happy though. He spends most of his time out of his cage hanging out with me on the couch or playing in his pen. I do my best to talk to him often and cuddle him. I work from home though also so he isn't alone too much, but he seems perfectly happy. He popcorns a lot and talks to me, so I think if you have the time to commit then one piggie is ok.

**AB71651** · #6 01-25-09, 06:46 am

I have the room for a larger cage so I might as well adopt two. I convinced by boyfriend into helping out and adopting one and I'll house them so it worked out. Thanks for the suggestions!

**dra&pigs** · #7 01-25-09, 06:47 am

PokeyPig:
Can you popcorn with him? Can you run laps? Can you sniff around cage and play tag and hide and seek with him? I think not. You may be dedicated and caring, but guinea pigs need guinea pig companions, not anything else.

**AB71651** · #8 01-25-09, 06:54 am

No debate here, she was just giving me an example for an opposing opinion. She doesn't have enough room for two piggies in her studio. The piggie might not be as happy as having a friend but at least the one piggie is in a good home.

**PokeyPig** · #9 01-25-09, 09:30 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by dra&pigs

PokeyPig:
Can you popcorn with him? Can you run laps? Can you sniff around cage and play tag and hide and seek with him? I think not. You may be dedicated and caring, but guinea pigs need guinea pig companions, not anything else.

No need to be rude here. You are entitled to your opinion but I think he seems quite content to me, and I'm sure he gets much more attention and cuddle time than he did in the unwanted home I adopted him from. The teenage girl had so many she didn't know what to do with them all and thus was going to just abandon him at a shelter if I hadn't agreed to take him.

Also my sister has two and they often fight and whenever you take one out to cuddle they both start screaming, and they make twice as much mess and take twice as much time and care.

So though you have valid points I can assure you my piggie is not depressed and maybe one day when I have more time, money, and space to keep two I will, but until then I plan on just keeping the one and I really don't find it to be especially cruel.