Just one Guinea Pig? Is this ok? Help...

[mz mette]

HI,
I am new to this forum, I am also new to owning a Guinea Pig.
I recently got my GP from a petstore, his name is Peewee. They had him separated from the other males because they said he kept fighting with them. I was told he is younger than a year old, about 6 months old.
I was told he would be best to kept as an ONLY GP.

My questions are should I keep him by himself? I do have the space for another GP. Is there such thing as a solitary GP? I would like to get another one, possibly two.

I saw another male at a Rescue I was looking at. He looks like he's about the same age and size as my male. Is this a good idea? I read if I did get another one it should be a younger male. What is your experience on this?

I would like to be able to keep them in the same cage space.

Would you say girls are easier to keep then boys as far as bonding?

I just have so many questions...seems like this is the best place to get my answers from experienced GP owners. Help!

[ROMO#9]

Congrats on being a GP owner. I only have one. He seems very happy and content. I play with him everyday and he has totally bonded with me. We got him for our son but I am home all day and he sometimes cries for me when my son holds him. So I do know they will become attached to you as the owner. Good luck. I have read that males are very territorial and have a hard time bonding with other males especially if they aren't from the same litter. Our's is a male and is not aggressive at all. I hope this helps a little.

[mz mette]

Really? That's good to hear. Mine I have had now about a week and I haven't heard him make not one sound. Is this normal? They seem like and from what I have read to be vocal creatures.

I let him go the first two days so he could adjust to his new home and all of us except to feed him. Since then I have been picking him up for a couple of minutes at a time so he can get to know me. I have sat by his cage and talked to him.

At first he would not come out of hiding, now he slowly is but when I approach his cage he runs back in to hide from me. He is eating fine.

I guess I just want to do the right thing for him. I work during the week a regular 9 to 5 so I am home in the evenings. I want him to be happy. He's a cutie, Abbysian. He's pretty big too, that besides his color is what really drew me to him.

[CavyCrazyLady]

Yes, I think you should try to get him a friend. Unfortunately, the cages at pet stores are abusively small, and that may be why he was fighting. Also, employees at pet stores are usually not very knowledgeable and may have given you bad advice.
Piggies are very social and while we can give them lots of love and attention, it is just no substitute for the constant social interaction and they get from another pig.
When you take your boy down to the rescue they can help to find a boy that gets along with yours. They usually get along better with a pig that is either older or younger, but it is really up to the individual pig.
I have also seen that sometimes it is easier to bond a trio then a pair, so if you are looking to have three pigs that may be the way to go.
Congrats on choosing to adopt your next pig and joining a site with so much wonderful info on how to make your piggy's life better!

[ROMO#9]

We have had ours for about 2 or three weeks. He was very quiet the first week. Now he is starting to make lots of noise. They are skittish by nature. They are a prey animal so they always want to run and hide even if they are comfortable with you. I sit and talk to mine in his cage and he starts popcorning and getting excited. The more you hold him the faster he will get used to you. I have read that you need to use food to get them to do things. Like when you take him out of his cage, have a treat for him. When you sit and talk to him give him a treat as well. Pretty soon he will be sooooo excited to see you because he will know he's getting somthing yummy. Are you feeding him fruits and veggies everyday?

[ROMO#9]

I agree with cavy crzy lady. The pet store cages are way too small. I bought one and ended up making my own c and c cage. He loves it. I have read that they travel in three's and if you want another one you just need to see how it interacts. Mine was paired with a male who was very mean but mine was the only one that was so laid back he could stay with him. I tried to adopt but none of the shelters had any so we ended up buying from a pet store.

[brindyzoeycandy]

I tried to adopt but none of the shelters had any so we ended up buying from a pet store.

Really? So...instead of waiting maybe two, three weeks, a month for a Guinea Pig to come in the shelter/rescue, you just gave up and bought from a pet store? I'm guessing you knew at the time how bad pet stores are, because that's why you even attempted to adopt. What about Craiglist? Petfinder? Petango?

For the OP's question, I'm sure the pet stores aquariums were terribly small - if you're cage is big enough, I would definitely look into adopting a male companion for him.

And males tend to be more territorial than females, so yes, I guess you could say females are easier to bond.

[mz mette]

Well as far as the cage goes I didn't buy one from the store I actually made my own from examples I saw online doing my research so he does have room and it can be expanded. I will have to try and get pics to show.
As for the male at the rescue, they only have one. Unfortunately there are not any rescues in my area, this one I saw is almost a hour away from where I live and that is why too I went to the petstore.

The rescue did tell me I could bring my male with me to see how the two interact with each other when they meet. I am supposed to be going to do this on Saturday. What should I be looking for when they meet as a good sign it would work? Again they look like they are about the same size and age. This rescue is not specific to Guinea Pigs so I am not sure how much they will know or be able to help.
I don't want to adopt the male if I see there is going to be a problem because I would like to have them in the same space.

[brindyzoeycandy]

I wasn't actually referring to you, but an hour away? Really? Many people will travel six plus hours to adopt a Guinea Pig instead of contributing to a pet store.

Anyway, I personally don't think bringing your Guinea Pig to meet the one at the rescue is a good idea - what about quarantine? When you bring a new pig home, before introducing with your other(s), you have to keep them in a seperate room for two-three weeks because Guinea Pigs hide illnesses that may not be apparent when you first bring them home. You could possibly get your Guinea Pig sick if you just bring him to the rescue and allow him to interact with the other.

[Shurrim]

I've always thought we have to quarantine them?? So what is the purpose of it if we bring our piggy to put him with the one at rescue?
Just wondering...
I have one piggy (bought too but I will never do it again.. ) after reading a lot here, I'm trying to find a way I could expand my cage, the place I have is very limited, already had to move everything to fit mine.
I went to the rescue yesterday, they told me again they rarely, very rarely have piggies. So I've checked on ads locally and I saw some.
Doby seems happy though he doesnt stop popcorning and I wonder about my ability to split them if they fight.
Have I knew that, I would have took another one at same time as Doby.

[mz mette]

I just want to thank all of you for your response's.
I personally didn't know much about GP's until I got mine. Since then I have done lots more research. I am still learing.

Now I have found that Petstore's are not the best choice to acquire one. In the future I would if I do get another one, go to a rescue. I have to say knowing what I know now it wasn't a good choice to get him from there or anyone else who goes to a petshop. In a way you have to look at it this way too, because for me I feel I saved his life. He could have been brought for someone's pet as food. Now he has a home and he's safe.

[mz mette]

I hadn't thought of that. I guess you're right. So then what?
Should I just give my Guinea some time to adjust to being with me before I decide to possibly try at getting him a friend or do I just go visit this little Piggy at the rescue and see him, if everything looks and seems good adopt him, keep them separated for some time and then introduce??

This is why I am here, I am trying to learn from experienced owners on what the best thing for my Guinea would be. Again, I appreciate and respect all of your replies.

[CavyCrazyLady]

I would say keep him for a while and see if he shows any signs of illness. Then take him down to a rescue and see how he does with another pig or pigs (they may have more once you have waited a bit).
Yes, usually you have to quarantine before introducing, but not when getting from a reputable rescue. They should have quarantined the pig for you or had them seen by a vet. It is beneficial to take your pig down to the rescue because then you will know before you adopt if they get along well or not. The rescue I volunteer for makes it a requirement to bring your pig down because we don't want you to get home and have piggy fights, then have to bring the pig back.
Have you tried Petfinder? It is a wonderful resource for adoptable pets.

[Sirene]

Do I just go visit this little Piggy at the rescue and see him, if everything looks and seems good adopt him, keep them separated for some time and then introduce??

This would be how I would do it, yes, based on everything I've read here. I do know that some people have taken their pigs to rescues/shelters to meet potential new cagemates, but I'm not sure if these were in special circumstances, because it IS recommended to do a 3-week quarantine.

Here's some information about doing introductions - it's not always easy at first:

http://www.guinealynx.info/records/viewtopic.php?t=37

[thebeachdreamer]

The rescue that we will be getting our little boy from (the owner is a regular on guinealynx) is having me bring our girls to meet 2 different little boys to see which one the girls hit it off with.

At the rescues (at least this one) they quarantine their piggy's for 3 weeks before they are available for adoption and when I sent in my application she knew that I had already had mine for over a month so they had all been through their quarantine time as well.

That might be why the Rescue is telling her she can bring her's to meet theirs. If hers has been with her for 3 weeks everything should be fine.

Good luck and congrats on your new piggy Mz Mette! I have 4 girls and they did NOT care for each other at first but I have a very large cage and at first they argued over hidey's, sides of the hay rack, water bottle, food bowls.....everything, now they are all 4 always together. Have fun!

[mz mette]

Thanks, I added a pic of my Peewee and his cage I made him in a new thread entitled single guinea and homemade cage (I think), something like that.
To me it seems that the cage is big enough for two. I can even set a divider in the middle if I needed to initially.

[mz mette]

This would be how I would do it, yes, based on everything I've read here. I do know that some people have taken their pigs to rescues/shelters to meet potential new cagemates, but I'm not sure if these were in special circumstances, because it IS recommended to do a 3-week quarantine.

Here's some information about doing introductions - it's not always easy at first:

http://www.guinealynx.info/records/viewtopic.php?t=37

so you are saying go ahead and meet this other Piggie tomorrow and possibly bring it home if all is well?

[mz mette]

The rescue that we will be getting our little boy from (the owner is a regular on guinealynx) is having me bring our girls to meet 2 different little boys to see which one the girls hit it off with.

At the rescues (at least this one) they quarantine their piggy's for 3 weeks before they are available for adoption and when I sent in my application she knew that I had already had mine for over a month so they had all been through their quarantine time as well.

That might be why the Rescue is telling her she can bring her's to meet theirs. If hers has been with her for 3 weeks everything should be fine.

Good luck and congrats on your new piggy Mz Mette! I have 4 girls and they did NOT care for each other at first but I have a very large cage and at first they argued over hidey's, sides of the hay rack, water bottle, food bowls.....everything, now they are all 4 always together. Have fun!

they have had this other piggie for over a month now by his self and on the phone they told me he was healthy and okay.

[mtm88781]

Two is deffintately better than one. Please go the adoption route, and adopt a friend!

[Sirene]

I would go and get him! :-)

The thing is, though, that it doesn't seem as though you've had Peewee long enough to make sure he's healthy. Z(Correct me if I'm wrong here.) If this is the case, you are going to need to keep them in separate ROOMS, not just separate/divided cages, for the recommended quarantine period (which I think is 3 weeks), just to make sure that Peewee won't get your new pig sick (and vice versa). Please make sure you read up on quarantine and the precautions you need to take during it (washing hands, changing clothes between handling/cleaning them, etc). Here's some info to get you started: http://www.guinealynx.info/quarantine.html