Hi,
My sister got two male guinea pigs a few years back as well as 3 enclosures, a run on the grass and a hutch and indoor run inside a shed we built for them. All was okay until they stayed at a ‘Guinea pig Hotel’ whilst we were away on holiday and were too close to female guinea pigs. They fought and one had to be taken to the vets. Since then they’ve had to be separated as if they go together they just fight! However, they like to be able to see each other and will often sit next to each other.
Because of this each enclosure has had to be split, both the runs have a see through part down the middle and they each have one floor on the hutch. Due to my sister becoming a teenager, I’ve taken the responsibilities of the Guinea pigs!
Although the housing size was fine when they could be together, now they obviously only have half that amount of space as it’s divided between the two. They got houses in both indoor enclosures (as well as enrichment) and tunnels and stuff outside. I’m not so much concerned about the outdoor run as it was a lot bigger than the minimum needed so they have plenty of space. However, I feel they have barely any space inside the shed and as the winter months drag on I feel awful for them!
My question is does anyone have any suggestions on if it’s possible to make them bond again so they can be housed together/how to do so? And also if it’s okay to continue going forward like this? They have got extra enrichment indoors to try and keep their minds busy and they get grass and hay every day.
Unfortunately the only possible space for another indoor run is on top of their current one (there is only enough floor space to open the hutch doors/run doors currently in the shed). The problem is the run doesn’t have a solid floor and is a cage at the top so I’d have to find something to place between the two runs. And also then they won’t be able to see each other during the day which they currently like doing! It’s so frustrating that they clearly like to be together but then if they are able to touch each other they just fight!
They used to be housed inside before we got the shed but we have a dog who just sits and cries when next to them and the Guinea pigs were getting stressed out!
Any help is appreciated, on re-bonding them or ways to maximise the space! Just counting down the days until it’s warm enough for them to go back out and have more space.
My sister got two male guinea pigs a few years back as well as 3 enclosures, a run on the grass and a hutch and indoor run inside a shed we built for them. All was okay until they stayed at a ‘Guinea pig Hotel’ whilst we were away on holiday and were too close to female guinea pigs. They fought and one had to be taken to the vets. Since then they’ve had to be separated as if they go together they just fight! However, they like to be able to see each other and will often sit next to each other.
Because of this each enclosure has had to be split, both the runs have a see through part down the middle and they each have one floor on the hutch. Due to my sister becoming a teenager, I’ve taken the responsibilities of the Guinea pigs!
Although the housing size was fine when they could be together, now they obviously only have half that amount of space as it’s divided between the two. They got houses in both indoor enclosures (as well as enrichment) and tunnels and stuff outside. I’m not so much concerned about the outdoor run as it was a lot bigger than the minimum needed so they have plenty of space. However, I feel they have barely any space inside the shed and as the winter months drag on I feel awful for them!
My question is does anyone have any suggestions on if it’s possible to make them bond again so they can be housed together/how to do so? And also if it’s okay to continue going forward like this? They have got extra enrichment indoors to try and keep their minds busy and they get grass and hay every day.
Unfortunately the only possible space for another indoor run is on top of their current one (there is only enough floor space to open the hutch doors/run doors currently in the shed). The problem is the run doesn’t have a solid floor and is a cage at the top so I’d have to find something to place between the two runs. And also then they won’t be able to see each other during the day which they currently like doing! It’s so frustrating that they clearly like to be together but then if they are able to touch each other they just fight!
They used to be housed inside before we got the shed but we have a dog who just sits and cries when next to them and the Guinea pigs were getting stressed out!
Any help is appreciated, on re-bonding them or ways to maximise the space! Just counting down the days until it’s warm enough for them to go back out and have more space.
