First Guinea Pig

[deltakc]

Hello,

I've just joined, the site was recommended by a friend who now has two gorgeous guinea pigs. I am looking for some advice and am hoping that someone might be able to help.

I was in my local pet shop buying dog food today and my daughter fell in love with a gorgeous girl guinea pig. I would have bought her right then but I remembered from somewhere that it is better to buy two?

The wee girl that is left was part of an odd numbered litter and the rest were bought in pairs. I know the shop owner, he breeds his own guinea pigs and has a very good reputation.

My only concern is buying just one guinea pig. She will certainly get loads of attention but I am wondering if I can introduce a friend for her in a few weeks time when he has more guinea pigs?

Thanks for your help!

 

[AnnaB]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

It is always better and more than often necessary to keep guinea pigs in pairs.
Is the guinea pig you were going to get a sow (female) or a boar (male)? Its always better to have two guinea pigs especially boars from the same litter, as they would already have a bond.

 

[deltakc]

Hiya, and thanks for your reply. I thought that it would be best to have a pair but we are both smitten by this wee single lady piggie. She is a white and ginger long hair and has such a gorgeous wee face.

I am thinking that if we don't take her someone else might and they might just keep her on her own (you can see I'm trying really hard to talk myself out of it).

I would be much happier to take her though if I knew that I could introduce a friend later as I don't want her to be on her own?

 

[AnnaB]

if you really fallen in love with her, then definitely take her!
you can also look into getting her a friend from a rescue in the future, this way she wouldn't be on her own and you helped another piggie!

just bare in mind, they should really live in pairs, so even if you only buying one now, maybe buy a bigger cage, so you will have enough space for two when you are ready

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! Guinea pigs are herd animals and not really wired to be on their own.

Please make sure that your girl has been sexed properly before you get another one. http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm

Whereabouts are you located? Would you consider rehoming from a guinea pig rescue, especially one you could take her to to let your girl make her own choice who she would love to live together with?

You would need a 2x4 ft cage for two guinea pigs - that is not much less than the 6-7ft square feet a single piggy should have! Sadly, most pet shops still sell far too small cages and single animals.

 

[AnnaB]

I would be much happier to take her though if I knew that I could introduce a friend later as I don't want her to be on her own?

But yes you can definitely introduce another friend to her at later stage, another female or a neutered boy. when you decide to do so, there are threads on here that will help you to introduce the piggies to each other.
hope this helps .

 

[piggyfan]

Hello. Please do not get this guinea pig. If you buy from a pet shop it only encourages more breeding. There are so many guinea pigs who urgently need homes in rescues. Most have already been bonded so you would not have to worry about that. You cannot be sure of this piggies health or if she is pregnant. When you get guinea pigs from a rescue you can be sure of a clean bill of health and on going support from the rescue.

 

[nylyd]

I read guinea pig book in my schools library. And all of them said it better to get 2 when getting guinea pigs. I only have one because you need a lot of commitment. You need to give them water and food more often. Any ways when getting 2 guinea pigs you should have 2 girls. If you want babies you need 1 boy 1girl. But they keep each other warm and they are company to each other. Hope it helped. Keep in mind your daughters perspective of the idea. And how ever many guinea pig you get you need to give them as much attention as they want. Some are more loner than others. And if you cover the cage with a blanket at night it should keep her warm and should keep the squeaking noise to a minumum.

 

[deltakc]

Thank you all very much for your replies. Normally I wouldn't consider buying from a pet shop but i have known the owner for quite a while as well as the vet next door to his shop. He always ensures that his animals are checked regularly by the vet.

If I hadn't seen that wee lady piggie today I would have probably not even thought about getting one and having already had a wee cuddle I would hate to see her go to a home where she is on her own.

I have looked at rescue places this evening and although there are not that many near me, I'm in Glasgow, the sspca are usually looking for homes. I'd also be very grateful if anyone knows of anywhere else that I could take our new wee piggie that isn't too far away where she could choose a new friend?