Adding a New Guinea Pig?

squeaksandcarrots

squeaksandcarrots

Adult Guinea Pig
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I currently have one guinea pig since I only had room and money for one piggie the time I adopted him. Now I have a little more money and room since I switched bedrooms and I'd like to add a second piggie so my Nickel won't be so lonely. I've had Nickel for over 4 months now, so is it too late to add another guinea pig? My dad is worried that Nickel will be too territorial for his cage, but I'd plan on extending the cage. I keep hearing that guinea pigs shouldn't be alone and I'm concerned that Nickel is too bored because he doesn't do much. Should I get another guinea pig or is Nickel better off alone?
 
Guinea pigs are social creatures and really need guinea pig companionship so it’s lovely you are thinking about this.
There are good guides on the forum about cage size for you to check.

Some rescues offer a dating service so the the piggies choose their own companions.
Is there a rescue near you which would offer this?

There are also good bonding guides to help .

Welcome to the forum
 
Hello their, It's never too late. Piggies do love other piggies - well they like a friend to share their food with and for general grooming etc. I've recently taken in a lone boar who was on his own for nearly a year...he's now bonded with another boar I had and they are firm best of friends.
 
emlen23 said:
I currently have one guinea pig since I only had room and money for one piggie the time I adopted him. Now I have a little more money and room since I switched bedrooms and I'd like to add a second piggie so my Nickel won't be so lonely. I've had Nickel for over 4 months now, so is it too late to add another guinea pig? My dad is worried that Nickel will be too territorial for his cage, but I'd plan on extending the cage. I keep hearing that guinea pigs shouldn't be alone and I'm concerned that Nickel is too bored because he doesn't do much. Should I get another guinea pig or is Nickel better off alone?
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Hi! Guinea pigs are group animals and not wired to be on their own. Nickel sounds depressed.
Companionship

How old is Nickel? Can you divide your new cage in case the two boys don't get on? Even a neighbour through the bars he can interact with is so much better than being all alone!
 
Wiebke said:
Hi! Guinea pigs are group animals and not wired to be on their own. Nickel sounds depressed.
Companionship

How old is Nickel? Can you divide your new cage in case the two boys don't get on? Even a neighbour through the bars he can interact with is so much better than being all alone!
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Nickel is 11 months and yeah I'd be able to divide my cage! I'm hoping to get him a friend soon. I hate to see him lonely.
 
When you do get Nickel a friend double check that it is a boar I know this sounds obvious but mistakes are easily made. Don't just put your new boy into Nickel's cage and expect them to get on as piggies don't work like that. (Unless you have boar dated at a rescue) follow the bonding guides given under guinea pig guides at the top of the page. Good luck.
 
emlen23 said:
I currently have one guinea pig since I only had room and money for one piggie the time I adopted him. Now I have a little more money and room since I switched bedrooms and I'd like to add a second piggie so my Nickel won't be so lonely. I've had Nickel for over 4 months now, so is it too late to add another guinea pig? My dad is worried that Nickel will be too territorial for his cage, but I'd plan on extending the cage. I keep hearing that guinea pigs shouldn't be alone and I'm concerned that Nickel is too bored because he doesn't do much. Should I get another guinea pig or is Nickel better off alone?
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Update! I finally got a second piggie today! I'm so excited to add Penny to the family :)
 
Congratulations. Dont forget that if Penny is a sow and Nickel a boar Nickel will need to wait for six weeks after being castrated before he is safe to bond with Penny.

Hope they get on well when the bonding time comes.
 
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