Hello everyone! I have a fairly basic question that I was hoping you guys could help me with? I am wanting to get a guinea pig since I remember having one when I was a kid and absolutely loved him now as an adult I would love to have another. Since it has been so long since I had a guinea pig I did some research on google and watched some youtube videos and I learned that guinea pigs need to live in a group and I am wondering just how many I need? I was thinking two, would that be enough for my guinea pigs to have proper socialization?
Hi and welcome
Great that you are doing your research beforehand!
A bonded couple of guinea pigs is perfectly fine! Guinea pigs live in small groups of sows that choose to associate with a boar of their choosing while bachelors hang around nearby. What they should not do without, is to live on their own as they heavily rely on constant companionship and stimulation.
Boars, sows or mixed pairs; babies or adults?
Guinea Pig Facts - An Overview
Cage Size Guide
The best way of neatly avoiding all the usual pitfalls for new owners is by adopting an already stably bonded pair (can be two boars, two sows or a neutered 'husboar' and sow pair) from a good standard rescue with full quarantine/vet care, mandatory pregnancy watch and careful pairing up that pays attention to character compatibility and mutual liking. The extra effort is well worth the total peace of mind. You also have the rescue to fall back on if you are in trouble throughout the life of your adopted piggies.
If you follow the recommended welfare standards on this forum, you shouldn't have any trouble adopting from a good rescue.
Please take the time to read these guide collections here. You will find them very helpful and interesting as we specifically address all the areas we get the most questions and concerns from wannabe or new owners about.
Are Guinea Pigs For Me? - A Guide
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
(including links to recommended vetted good standard rescues in several countries. We can only guarantee for the listed rescues.)
Please be aware that vet cost are generally the biggest budget post in any pet's life. It is absolutely vital that you start saving up on a weekly or monthly basis right from the start. A life or death emergency can quickly cost you hundreds of pounds or dollars, and even euthanasia doesn't come free. US vets usually demand upfront payment, so you want to have that sorted in time!
Sadly far too many owners are not aware of this problem that is leading to so much unnecessary suffering and heart-break for both pets and owners.
We may be able to help you even more if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to location in your account details via clicking on your username on the top bar. This will make it appear with every post you make and allow us to tailor any advice to what is available and relevant where you are straight away instead of keeping it as general as possible since we have members and enquiries from all over the world! Thank you!
