Hey Guinea Pig Forum

[Clovers]

Hey! I'm Clovers and I have had a guinea pig since January 22nd, 2011 and I am planning on getting another one very soon. Bear is a male guinea pig and he is not neuterd so I am going to be getting another male. I've checked out videos and researched but I'm still a bit lost on how I shoud introduce them and make sure they become good friends. Although we are going through a Cavy adoption rescue, I'm not so sure what I should be doing after I bring him home.
The Cavy rescue said that they would try to bond him with a male from thier organization and find a good match so I'm confident that my guinea pig can bond but I know that, in order for them to bond correctly, I will need to be helpin them through the process. If you could give me some tips and explain how to do this that would be a great help to me. Thank You!

 

[sdpiggylvr]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

The rescue will definitely help you find a good match for Bear. When you adopt the new pig, they will probably help you introduce the two and help you determine whether the two pigs are a good match or not. You'll want to make sure the cage you have is plenty of space for two males -- check out C&C cages (a 2x4 is minimum, 2x5 is preferred since males tend to need a bit more space). Before you bring the new boy home, you should clean the cage thoroughly and remove/replace anything that would smell like Bear. You're trying to create a neutral environment to minimize any arguments over whose cage it is. Try to have at least one hiding house per guinea pig. Once the new boy is home, you can put the two together in the cage. You might see a little squabbling (pecking, a little to moderate teeth chattering, rumblestrutting), but try to keep an eye on them and keep your ears open for a full-on fight. The only time you should separate them is if they get into a real fight, where they are intent on bloodshed and fur is flying. The rescue will help you find a good match, so you shouldn't see any major fighting. This page is really helpful for further information: Guinea Pigs Social Life.

Good luck!

 

[bpatters]

Two big factors in guinea pigs getting along -- a big cage and proper introductions. Check out the link sdpiggylvr gave you -- the intro section is about halfway down.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Clovers]

Thank You! And we currently have a cage that is 2x3 on the top and 2x3 on the bottom. However, the Cavy Adoption org. we are going through requires one level to be ta least 2x4 so we are going to have to change our cage up a bit. I will be updating about our new cage when we make it. So since we will have to get new coroplast, towels, fleece, it will be totally neutral (we are not going to be using the new cage until we have both). Also, we wash all the accesories int he cage and get some new ones. Thank you so much the advice was very useful and so was the link!

 

[ellisa]

Hello and welcome to the forum! We would love to see pictures of your piggie and of his new friend once you adopt!

 

[Clovers]

I definetly will. i took him ourside for the first time today and soon I ill have pics up of him in the grass!

 

[Kstyle]

Great to have you! Im new here as well and I must say that everyone is so great on this forum!! Waiting for pics!

 

[Clovers]

Great to have you too! These forums have been so helpful for me also. I will be posting pics asap and We all want to see your guinea piggies too!

 

[Japonica26]

Hey! I'm Clovers and I have had a guinea pig since January 22nd, 2011 and I am planning on getting another one very soon. Bear is a male guinea pig and he is not neuterd so I am going to be getting another male. I've checked out videos and researched but I'm still a bit lost on how I shoud introduce them and make sure they become good friends. Although we are going through a Cavy adoption rescue, I'm not so sure what I should be doing after I bring him home.
The Cavy rescue said that they would try to bond him with a male from thier organization and find a good match so I'm confident that my guinea pig can bond but I know that, in order for them to bond correctly, I will need to be helpin them through the process. If you could give me some tips and explain how to do this that would be a great help to me. Thank You!

Hi Clovers.

First kudos to you for asking for help to make sure your piggies hit it off and second, thanks for adopting as well.

Cavy Spirit and Guinea Lynx has some great info about introductions, especially introducing two males. And I agree with all the good advice given here.

I'm going to be introducing two boars after Christmas. I have my adoptee in quarantine right now in a separate cage in my bedroom (this is also a must just to keep your existing pig hleathy and safe). Any new pig can bring home anything from mites to infections and parasites, so you'll want to observe the new pig and treat any issues before putting him together with your new one.

I also agree about the bigger cage. I have a 2x4 and I'm making it into a 2x5 over the holidays. Also, there needs to be two of everything, including exits. Pigloos (don't know if you have any, just writing it for anyone reading) may have to be reconsidered and fleece or towel draped hideys used instead so that pigs can get away quickly in case of conflict.

Yes, it's good to talk to the organization and see what personality your prospective pig has. I asked for an easy going one as my current pig has always been the dominant male (his cage mate died). So, placing two dominant ones in probably not the best idea. They picked out one who had been housed with older, larger males with no issues.

Good luck...sounds like you're on the right track with what you're doing. Can't wait to see pics.

 

[Clovers]

Thanks I'm going to be posting pics of my cage and guinea pig (and the new one when I get him) very soon. I can't wait! lol