Getting another guinea pig, how to prepare

[Deleted member 149618]

I’m getting another female for the one I already have, and I need tips with bonding. I’ve watched videos on guinea pig bondings on little adventures and AlyssanPets, but I don’t know how my guinea pig will react as sadly shes been alone most of her life. Is there any way I can prepare my guinea pig for the bonding? I really don’t want an unsuccessful bonding as the guinea pig I am adopting is from a family who cannot take care of her anymore, and I would hate to have to list her for adoption, just as she thinks she has found her forever home. If you guys have any tips or a way to prepare her, please let me know!

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m afraid there is nothing you can do to prepare her. Two piggies must be character compatible to be able to form a bond. If they aren’t compatible and dont like each other then the bond will not work. You won’t know until you carry out the neutral territory introduction.
How old is your piggy? If she has been alone all her life then she may have missed out on the essential social skills learnt as a youngster so it can make bonding more tricky.

Some things you can do though is to ensure you have plenty of space - a minimum of 120x60cm is needed for two sows.
Also ensure you have multiple of every item - two bottles, two hay piles, at least two hides. All hides must have two exits (any hide with only one door should not be used as a piggy can trap the other inside and this is where defensive injuries can occur).

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

 

[Deleted member 149618]

Shes probably a little over 1 year old. She weighs 800g, but I don’t know her exact age. I will be making a large area for the sows to bond, and I will put plenty of hay, water bottles, and hideys.

 

[Tnoz]

Shes probably a little over 1 year old. She weighs 800g, but I don’t know her exact age. I will be making a large area for the sows to bond, and I will put plenty of hay, water bottles, and hideys.

I don’t think you need hideys in a bonding session, just hay and plenty of space

 

[Piggies&buns]

Shes probably a little over 1 year old. She weighs 800g, but I don’t know her exact age. I will be making a large area for the sows to bond, and I will put plenty of hay, water bottles, and hideys.

Give the guides I linked in a read as it explains how to do the bonding.
its not just the bonding pen which needs to be big enough, the cage they live in needs to also.
The guides explain when you come to read them, but don’t put any hides in the bonding pen - the bonding pen must be just hay and water.
They can only have two exits hides once you move them back to the cage they are to live in after a few hours in the bonding pen.