Introducing Another Guinea Pig: Experience

[Oliver27]

I’m getting another male guinea pig for Oliver (my 1.5 year old male guinea pig) in a couple of days.

I was thinking about getting a baby guinea pig so that Oliver would be (and remain) the alpha pig.

What are your experiences on this? (I have read the social life section, but I want real testimony on this.) Does the rank stay the same? Did anyone have any problems and/or still do?
Is it worth the risk of them permanently fighting (or is it impossible for them to permanently fight each other)?



Answer any of the questions you like!

Thank you for any advice you can give me.



(btw my cage is a 2x5 with a 1x2 added to the end to make an L shape)

 

[silkerlover]

I have two female guinea pigs, one 3 years old and one about a year old. My older one is obviously dominant and I had no trouble introducing her to my new pig. They get along great. If you get a rescue pig, usually the rescue owner can tell you if the pig is dominant or not. The lady I got my new pig from told me before hand that the pig I was going to adopt was not dominant at all. If you get a younger pig, it should probably work out, just remember to take the introductions slowly.

 

[Stereophobia]

I started out with a rescued pair from my local pet supplies owner, who also runs a small scale rescue operation. When I got them they already had a social order all figured out, which is only really ever tested vocally, which settles down withing 30 minutes at the very most.
I ended up rescuing another much younger girl to join them, which seemed to shake up the social ranking for a few days. They did the usual show of making sure she knew where she stood, but they also had a new tussle for the alpha pig position, which lasted a couple of days, with the worst being a mild case of fur pulling. Now that Lulu (the youngest) has settled in though, and I've been told its a natrual stage for her, she is starting to make small scale challanges herself, which are just occasional nips at the second in line (wooky) but quickly gets put back into place after a short chase.
Obiously Im as new as you so other members will be able to give much better advice/testimonials than me, but all experience is useful I guess, so heres mine, hope it helps.

 

[Oliver27]

thanks for your experiences! im starting to feel more comfortable and less worried about it already!

 

[Oliver27]

keep them coming!

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

That sounds like a good age to get a friend. Either an older male or a baby pup will work. Angela's rescue has babies available soon or you can the shelter pigs at www.cavyhaven.org.

Your cage is a good size too. Good luck!

 

[DocDolittle]

Actually, when I brought my younger pig in, he turned out to be the dominant one. They rumblestrutted, mounted, and had a nose-off, but things are fine now. I would definately study your own pig, maybe introduce them before hand?(After knowing they aren't ill)

 

[GuineaTV]

Everyone says that introducing a young pig is the way to go, but my experience was that the two boys got along great UNTIL the youngster reached maturity. After that the big one started to beat up the little one. The problem with the young pig idea is that you won't know how your adult pig will deal with another mature male in his herd until it's too late and you're already attached to the little one! That's how I ended up with FOUR guinea pigs instead of TWO - one female with each neutered male - just to make my boys happy!

 

[GuineaTV]

So, you might want to bring your pig to choose his own buddy; see who he gets along with! With your huge cage they should stay friends. At least if it's another adult you'll know up front if it's going to work out. I'm personally a fan of the neutered male/female pairing; there's never more arguing than a minor tiff over a carrot!