What really surprises me here it that having one pig is seen as absolutly okay.
When I look at my pigs living in a group and I imagine them having to spend their lifes alone even the thought hurts. Especially when I hear them keeping contact to each other all the time, constantly talking to each other. Or when they run in my room and all walk in a line not to loose each other.
There are worries that a pig might be hurt by a rabbit but that they both don´t have partners is fine? I agree, a rabbit might hurt the cavy and maybe even kill it. But what about the psyche of a social animal like a guinea pig that has to spend his life (or parts of it (which is bad enough) alone?)
And it is not allowed to show a picture of dried vegetables but keeping a cavy alone is okay.
Health okay, it is important to take good care of them, feeding the right food... But what about the mind?
In the german forums I know (and I know several) when someone introduces himself and has only one pig no one would ignore that fact.
Actually nowadays even when people have two pigs they are often advised to change that. Mostly when they have two girls without neutred boar or two babies without an adult cavy to teach them and give them safety.
For me two is the absolut minimum. Better is a group.
Yes, some cavies won´t stop eating and not just sit in one corner when kept alone. But I guess everyone who once has seen the social interaction in a group understands why they really must not life alone.
And a group is so much more fun to watch.
When I look at my pigs living in a group and I imagine them having to spend their lifes alone even the thought hurts. Especially when I hear them keeping contact to each other all the time, constantly talking to each other. Or when they run in my room and all walk in a line not to loose each other.
There are worries that a pig might be hurt by a rabbit but that they both don´t have partners is fine? I agree, a rabbit might hurt the cavy and maybe even kill it. But what about the psyche of a social animal like a guinea pig that has to spend his life (or parts of it (which is bad enough) alone?)
And it is not allowed to show a picture of dried vegetables but keeping a cavy alone is okay.
Health okay, it is important to take good care of them, feeding the right food... But what about the mind?
In the german forums I know (and I know several) when someone introduces himself and has only one pig no one would ignore that fact.
Actually nowadays even when people have two pigs they are often advised to change that. Mostly when they have two girls without neutred boar or two babies without an adult cavy to teach them and give them safety.
For me two is the absolut minimum. Better is a group.
Yes, some cavies won´t stop eating and not just sit in one corner when kept alone. But I guess everyone who once has seen the social interaction in a group understands why they really must not life alone.
And a group is so much more fun to watch.