Getting a guuinea pig

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gabsguineapigqueen

I'm getting a guinea pig this Saturday! Yay!!:(|)x):(|)x)x)x)x)x)
 
Congratulations! Will it be a single piggy or will it have friend?
 
I agree - guinea pigs are group animals and should only be kept alone (but nearby to other guinea pigs!) if they have problems with living with other guinea pigs.

Can you please badger your parents into getting a couple? Two will not take up more space as one (the minimum cage size is 2x4 ft anyway) and you will not have to spend that much more on food for a second one.

Make sure that they are the same sex and have been separated into the appropriate sex from three weeks onwards. You will want to check that in any case. Here is a website that will help you sexing them:
http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm

Here is a link to the best medical website for guinea pigs about companionship; this site is not biased. Please show it to your parents:
http://www.guinealynx.info/companionship.html
 
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Please get another piggie you will miss out on so much of your piggies behaviour and cute things that they get up to when they play. Your piggie will be very lonely no matter how much you take it out as you cant talk guinea pig.
 
I can't get two because, he will be kept in my room. And 2 is more expensive than one.
 
I used to keep 2 in my room at my parents with no problem and keeping 2 is not that much more expensive!
 
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Why is that a proplem!? They eat the same food live in the same cage etc. There is less waste with dry and fresh food if you keep two.
 
If you have 2 i think everyone on here would agree they will be alot happier :)
 
It really is in their best interests for them to have a friend, they wouldn't live naturally by themselves so shouldn't really be forced to. It's something you have to really think about and is why people shouldn't just buy them on a whim. You have to be prepared for the financial cost and time needed to care for them properly, we have had to syringe ours food and fluids through the night in the past and have one piggie we have at the vets every couple of weeks as she has a long term health condition so you need to make sure financially you can afford it if your pig becomes poorly. You may end up having a pig that doesn't have any health problems which is great but always need to prepared incase they do need care.
 
If you're only allowed one pet get a Syrian hamster, they are happy alone. 98 out of 100 piggies are miserable alone.

If you're thinking about getting pets that might live 5 or 6 years (piggies, not syrian hamsters), do a bit of reseach before getting them. It will be more fun for both you and the piggies!
 
Taking care of two guinea pigs does frankly not take much more time than taking care of one - if commitment is already a problem before you get a piggy, then you shouldn't go for a pet in the first place!

And if money for a second guinea pig is so much of a concern, how are your parents (as your legal guardians) prepared to pay for medical cost which can quickly mount into the hundreds of dollars with a serious illness?

Have you really got several hours daily to spend with a single guinea pig dependent on you for the next five to seven years to satisfy its needs?

Please read this thread with your parents and discuss it before you go and buy a pet that is completely dependent on you and your parents! http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36801

It is important that you think these things through - having a pet is much more of a long term responsibility than is obvious in the first excitement! You can always walk away, but your pet can't!
 
I agree with Gems & Wiebke!
One of mine has cost me alot in the past month for vets bills and check ups. And when I as younger I had too syringe feed one of mine every couple of hours through the night.
But I would do it all again!
 
Indeed, I think in Sweden it is against the law to buy a single guinea pig, must be sold in pairs (unless you can prove you own another).
 
Like a lot of animals, they're much happier when together with their own kind. It just isn't the same for them having company only from people.

It's the same amount of time feeding, cleaning, playing etc. But you'd actually have to spend less time with 2 than with 1 because they'd have each other to keep each other company. It would be more food, but their food is very cheap really.

I'm not trying to be mean because you didn't know that they should be kept in pairs, so please don't think people are trying to be mean, they're just wanting to let you know. :)

If you can, then show this website to your parents and they'll see all our replies saying guinea pigs are much much happier in pairs. :)

They're much more fun when in pairs, because they run around and squeak to each other and stuff. If you have one on its own then it might just sit there and do nothing, and be bored or depressed.

Please think about getting two and talk it over with your parents. Good luck with your new pet or pets if you get some :) And let us know if you do
 
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