Looking for some advice, we had 2 Guinea pigs for almost 3 years. Unfortunately we had to have one put to sleep a few weeks ago. On Saturday we bought a baby Guinea pig to keep our other one company. Pets at home told us to keep them separated for 2-3 weeks so we have been introducing them gradually however they seem more comfortable together than apart. Is it safe to try them in the cage overnight this soon?
Help With New Baby Guinea Pig
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Julesie
Senior Guinea Pig
The reason you are supposed to keep them seperated for that length (preferably longer though. 2-3 weeks is quite short) is because of the risk of the new one having an illness that won't show immediately and then passing it onto your other guinea pig.
As you have been already gradually introducing them this means the one who is your current guinea pig will have already picked up anything if the baby does have something. Hopefully he doesn't though. But thats why quarantine is usually used.
Because you have already shown them to one another I suggest trying to bond them on neutral space and if they get on well then put them together in the cage.
The recommended 2 to 3 week wait is for quarantine purposes- to avoid a new arrival with an illness passing that along to the guinea pig you already have. As they've already met and have contact with one another, there's not much point in doing further quarantine. Based on that, if you want to try housing them together, go for it. There are some stickies that talk about how to introduce new guinea pigs that should be helpful. It's good to meet on neutral ground (the last time I did intros, I actually laid old towels down in my bathtub- they certainly hadn't been there before! It is also a good idea to scrub down the cage they will be living in completely and move things around. A lot of guinea pigs will be happy to meet a friend on neutral ground, but less happy to have a friend move into their house. Removing all the scents tricks the resident pig into believing this is a new space that he/she is less likely to be territorial about. Hope this helps!
The baby Guinea pig is from pets at home and has been vet checked and quarantined with them, they told me after 24 hours to gradually introduce them. Bought a pet blanket and used that, put veggies out and used my bathroom floor. Pets at home recommended that I put the cages beside each other which I've done but the little one has been biting at the cage to get my older ones attention.
D
Deleted member 114675
to the forum . Are your guinea pigs male or female ?
They're both female x
Are your guinea pigs male or female ?
D
Deleted member 114675
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