Hi
This is my first person so thank you for having me. I have 3 daughters and after a lot of consideration we are very close to saying yes to guinea pigs! I had originally planned to get 2 guinea pigs but I know all 3 girls will want to technically have their own and pick and their own names. We will get a big enough cage to accommodate them and from looking online it advises 3 girls get on better than boys but is 3 ok together?
Thank you
Tania
Hi and welcome
Good that you are doing your research beforehand.
Three boars, unless you are lucky to find an already stably bonded adult trio, are very much a recipe for trouble. Around 90% of all baby boar trios require separation before they reach a hormonally more settled adulthood.
If you can, please consider either three sows or a neutered boar and two sows combo, but please be aware that trios are the single most difficult constellation to get right without ending up with an outsider problem of some sort.
Ideally you stick to a couple or go for four guinea pigs, whether that is two boar pairs, or a group of 3-4 sows with or without a neutered boar. With four guinea pigs you get small group dynamics, so the risk of outsider issues decreases.
Boars, sows or mixed pairs; babies or adults?
Children And Guinea Pigs - A Guide For Parents
If you can, please get your guinea pigs from one of our recommended rescues. They have a mandatory quarantine/vet care for all incoming piggies, a mandatory pregnancy watch for all incoming sows and rehome only healthy, guaranteed not pregnant and stably bonded piggies. The guinea pigs they rehome to new owners have had opportunity to get used to human interaction and handling, which is a lot more than you get from shops or breeders!
Many rescues also neuter single boars. The rescues can also bond the piggies for you and look for character compatibility and acceptance, and not just looks. Guinea pigs are every bit as social as humans and every bit as tricky to match as humans! In effect, by going rescue you are not just doing a good deed, but you are also neatly avoiding all the usual pitfalls that await the unwary. As things stand, a good rescue is by far the safest place to get guinea pigs from and not run the risk of nasty surprises.
Please be aware that anybody can all themselves a rescue or a breeder without any licensing or supervision, and the results can be accordingly. This is why we have lists for recommended rescues we can guarantee for that you are in safe and experienced hands. It is really worth the extra effort.
Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator