Should I get another guinea pig?

[Squicky]

Hi!

I've had my guinea pig, Squicky, for about a year and three months now. We only bought one due to lack of space, but I take him out around 5h a day and he's always jumping around and squeaking. However, I'm going to be going abroad to university next year and will be unable to take him with me. I know my parents would take care of him a little, but they surely wouldn't have time to take him out more than one, maybe two, hours a day, and I know he'd be very lonely and potentially depressed with that. They'd agree for us to get another guinea pig now to keep him company, but I've heard that since he's already about 1.5 years old, if we got another one they probably wouldn't get along since they didn't grow up together...and if they're going to fight and hate each other, there isn't really a point. Of course I'd be getting a male, since we don't want any babies and I've heard getting a guinea pig neutered is quite a delicate operation. I was thinking maybe it'd be okay if I got a younger one, that way Squicky would be much bigger and would automatically be established as the dominant one, and then hopefully they wouldn't fight...do you think that might work? Is it a good idea to get another one?

Thanks!

 

[Bekki]

You should try find a local guinea pig rescue that offers "boar dating".

Boat dating involves taking your boy to the rescue and him picking his own friend this way you are likely to get a pair that will really work for life.

Also you cage should be a minimum of 3x2 c and c or a 120cm commercial cage for two but preferably bigger

Piggies really thrive with company of their own kind :-) a pig will give the pig enough company to be left alone in terms of handling for a lot longer

 

[Abi_nurse]

You should definatly get him a companion.

Where abouts are you in the UK? Or further afield maybe? Let us know your location and we can recommend a rescue close by that could pair your boy up with another to make a happy little pair.

x.

 

[piggyfan]

As you will be going away and busy it may be kinder to let a rescue have him. That way he will be found a home with people who have more time for him.

 

[Squicky]

I love the idea of "boar dating" - I live in Paris though, so I suppose you probably wouldn't know any areas around here where I could do that :^- but I'll definitely search for it! I'm glad to hear he'd be alright if he has a companion.