Having guinea pigs on thier own

[dancegal]

Hi

I am just wondering if anyone else just has one guinea pig, as mine is 3 months old and wanted to pair him as everyone is telling me to, but i wanted two males but been told never to have 2 males together because of fighting.

I dont really want a female as most are not sprayed and i dont want to be overun with babies yet, as dont have the room for another cage.

He does seem perfectly happy on his own, and gets lots of attention as am always at home

 

[Toffeewoffee]

Whoever told you that needs to get their facts right, yes boars can fight and fall out, but providing they have enought space and one of everything each, water bottles, food bowls, hideys etc and they have been well bonded they should be fine.

Please take your boar to a rescue and let him choose a friend, alot of resuces will bond them for you therefore making it alot less likely for them to fall out, guinea pigs are social animals and enjoy company of their own kind. Its not as simple as walking into a pet shop buying another male and plonking him in the cage, this probably will end up in a fight.

And PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE never ever breed him with a female, this is very risky and dangerous, if you wish to increase the number of piggies you have there are thousands in rescues wanting new homes. Pet shops often sell sick, pregnant, mis-sexed animals, there is non of this with rescues.

If however he will not accept another boar, there is the possibility of having him neutered and getting him a sow as a companion....

 

[bsjlmb]

i never planned on having babies as i know how dangerous it can be and the fact that too many piggies need rehoming without bringing more into the world. but if you take a look at my posts and this link should take you straight to one of them you will find out how dangerous it can be. http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=87000
(i hope this thread works)
my blossom had babies after we took her and two others in and we very nearly lost her if you do decide to go to a rescue to find him a friend you won't regret it. the only problem is that you will want to bring them all home

 

[Wiebke]

You may find Suzy's boar dating blog thread a bit of an eye opener! When done properly, nearly all boars can find a friend at any stage of their lives.
The problem is that careful bonding takes time and experience - something that shops and breeders don't have any interest in, as they want to make money first.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=59233

 

[herriotfan]

It's good that you're thinking of getting your young piggy a friend.
I'd say the same as everyone else and suggest you get in touch with some rescues to see if you, rather your piggy, can go boar dating.
If you decide you'd like more piggies in future please rescue. Don't go in for breeding, for all the reasons already explained to you.
We'd love to see your piggy. Have you got any pigtures you could share? p

 

[dancegal]

I do have pictures, but it only allows me to link a picture and not attach one off my computor

 

[Wiebke]

the best way to post pictures is by registering with a free uploading website like http://photobucket.com. From there, all you have to do is copy/paste the IMG code that comes with each picture directly into your post. You can check whether it is working by making use of the "preview button" under your post.

 

[mini piggy]

Hi

I am just wondering if anyone else just has one guinea pig, as mine is 3 months old and wanted to pair him as everyone is telling me to, but i wanted two males but been told never to have 2 males together because of fighting.

I dont really want a female as most are not sprayed and i dont want to be overun with babies yet, as dont have the room for another cage.

He does seem perfectly happy on his own, and gets lots of attention as am always at home

I have about 15 male guineas, some have been rehomed by me as they were living on there own. I do introductions very carefully as a guinea fight is nasty, they have the full run of the garden which is enclosed with lots of hidey holes and cover from overhead. I love it when we get a new one in and after a while you will see it snuggled up with another guineax)