Are 3 guinea pigs better than 2?

A

ArcticGuineaPig

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I was reading somewhere and it said if I get 3 piggies one of them might be left out. And If I were to get some from a pet store that were being kept in the same enclosure would that mean that they are OK with each other?
 
ArcticGuineaPig said:
I was reading somewhere and it said if I get 3 piggies one of them might be left out. And If I were to get some from a pet store that were being kept in the same enclosure would that mean that they are OK with each other?
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a trio of sows is the hardest to get right, you can end up with an outsider situation occurring. it doesn’t always happen though and it is possible to have a perfectly functioning trio of sows. You cannot get three boars though. Boars must only ever be kept in pairs as any more than two together will cause fights.

no it doesn’t mean they will be ok with each other. Buying piggies from a pet shop will always mean you have an element of risk. Piggies are just put together for sale with little to no regard for their future character compatibility. It’s entirely possible that once they hit their teens they can decide they don’t like each other and their bond breaks down And they would need to be separated. Again, doesn’t always happen, most will get on absolutely fine, but it is something to keep in mind.

this is why rescuing from a centre is safest. You will know that the piggies have been properly bonded and are wanting to be together and therefore their relationship is more likely to Last.
 
Both sets have their advantages and disadvantages, 2 are normally much better to clean (you don't have to spot clean and do a full change as often) However I personally love having a herd, I currently have 5 and they are so much more confident and interactive where there is more I find. However, If you're having a herd, it's better to have all female as a male trio plus is very unlikely to work! You could ofc have one neuteured boar to any number of sows!
 
ArcticGuineaPig said:
So if I adopted 3 together that were already bonded would that be ok?
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yes if you adopt from a reputable rescue who have character matched the piggies and bonded them properly.

whether you get two or three (or more), depends on your cage size, finances etc. The biggest thing is making sure you’ve got a vet fund big enough to handle the vet fees as piggies can be expensive to look after
 
George (neutered) and Ivy were companionable but he only found romance when Daisy came to live here too. If the initial bond had been closer I would have worried about disturbing it with a third but as it happened she brought female company for Ivy and George finally found his rumblestrut (and became quite good at it!)
I would have taken her in whatever as she was an older lone pig, but it was nice that it all worked out. If you find 3 bonded ones it would be fate perhaps!
 
ArcticGuineaPig said:
I was reading somewhere and it said if I get 3 piggies one of them might be left out. And If I were to get some from a pet store that were being kept in the same enclosure would that mean that they are OK with each other?
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A trio has the advantage that you are not left with a single piggy when one dies but you will be in any case faced with one last piggy standing anyway, so it doesn't quite solve the problem, only defers it.

In my own experience, trios that are working are wonderful but they are the most difficult combination to get right because they very often end up as a 2+1 situation. If you can adopted a trio of sows or a well bonded sow pair and a neutered boar of their choice, then you are onto a winner. If the sows are not getting on so well, then you end up sooner or later with some rather sleepless nights. Adding a third to a well-bonded pair on spec does not always work out when the pair is very happy as they are, thank you!

Can I assume that DC in your location is for the US capital (sorry, this forum is UK based with a very international membership)? In this case, I would recommend that you contact Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue; they are by far the best and safest place in your area to get guinea pigs so whatever combo you adopt, you won't have to worry about all the usual pitfalls that await the unwary; will only adopt a stably bonded pair or trio and have the rescue to fall back on if a bond is going haywire for some reason. Well worth the extra effort for a LOT of peace of mind! I've been following them and been in regular contact with them for several years now and can recommend them warmly on a personal basis.
Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue (website)
Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue (facebook)

You may find our Wannabe and New Owners guide collections both very useful resources for bookmarking and reading up on. They are some of the most comprehensive up to date information around.
Are Guinea Pigs For Me? - Wannabe Owners' Helpful Information
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

PS: For the sake of all our non-US members, could you please add your country to location in your account details (via clicking on your username on the top bar) so we can always place you with just a quick glance to the left and know that you will need US based advice (including medical brands and climate) and any further links where necessary. This helps us to help you quickest and most efficiently.
 
ArcticGuineaPig said:
I live in dc, where are some recommended rescues that might have trios?
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Ready-made trios are rare in rescue but a good rescue may be able to bond a single boar in their care with a suitable pair of sows.

Metropolitan GPR is the only good welfare standard rescue in your area where we can guarantee that you are in safe hands. The other shelters are not necessarily piggy savvy and do not provide any medical treatment, so you are very much on your own there; especially if you are not experienced with guinea pigs and have not the savings to cash out on potentially hundreds of dollars for vet care.
Metropolitan are doing their best to pull as many piggies as possible and ensure that they are perfectly healthy and stably bonded when they are being put up for adoption. The links are in my previous post.

If you want to risk it on your own, you have to look up petfinder but you have to be aware that any anybody in the English speaking world can call themselves a rescue or a breeder without licence or control - and that the result can be unfortunately accordingly...
 
As the owner of a trio, it hurts me to see the left out guinea pig. Nothing too aggressive. But it's just sad. If I could do it again I'd have 2.
 
It’s not that you shouldnt, it’s be aware that, while most are ok, there is a risk of one being left out.
however, If these are your first piggies, then I’d stick with a well bonded rescue pair so that you hopefully don’t have to worry about any bond issues
 
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