Geuniea Pig - Healthy..One or two of them?

Question

Looking to get a geuniea pig. Is it best to get one or two together?

Ive been searcher breeder in Ohio and havent found anyone that has gotten to reply to me. Is it best to stay away from Pet stores. I do want to get one as young as I can. I found 2 sisters that were rescuded as babies - They are still young. Do you think they are healthy enough to get? The people who rescued them have had them now for about 6 months - of good food and love. Do pigs need to go to the vet regularly?

Answer 1

It's best to get two, they are very social animals.  Pet stores usually sell sick animals, so yes, stay away.  Pet stores tell you the wrong info just to get a sale.  Like recomending pine or cedar bedding thats toxic for small animals.  By the way, dont get a cage from a pet store, they are WAY too small and expensive, visit the links below.  And you can get two males, as long as the cage is big enough, they wont fight.  Breeders are ok but  a lot of times they are just inexperienced owners who got them from a pet store and make it seem like they know a lot.  IF you do decide to go with a breeder, make sure they use C&C cages (see link below) and Oxbow or KM food.  This shows that they are taking good care of the pigs.  The two pigs you found are probably healthy enough.  You dint have to go to the vet but its a good idea to get a check up when you first get them.  If they stop eating or are acting strange and you suspect they might be sick, go to a vet.   Petfinder is a really good source.  You dont really buy from there, they show you shelters in your area and you adopt form there. The pigs fromm shelters are usually already tame and the shelter can help you pick pigs that suit your personality.  Shelters also work with vets so that's the safest healthiest choice.  Plus your giving a pig a second chance at life. And if you want males, shelters often have pairs that are brothers or friends that are bonded and get along.

To learn more about guinea pigs see these two great sites, they will also elaborate more on breeders, pet stores and choosing healthy pigs

http://www.guinealynx.info/ (Complete care guide)

http://www.guineapigcages.com/  (C&C cages info)

Hope that helps and good luck with your pigs :)  Also, if you buy food from the pet store, make sure there is no "ethoxyquin" in it, it causes cancer it small animals.

Answer 2

its definetly better to get 2 guinea pigs so they keep eacother company they are very socible animals. 2 females will fight more than 2 males. the males will sort out who is boss but this will change constantly. its not best to stay away from pet stores but breeders acn be cheaper and you can get them younger age.

Answer 3

Definetely get 2 they like to have a friend. Get a boy and a girl if you want to get them neutured thats what we did but they got along great. But never get 2 boys. They really dont need checkup at the vet their pretty low maintance and healthy. I would personally just go to petsmart/petco they are very nice and helpful if you put in a request they can usuallu tell you where you can get babies most of them there are babies.  

Answer 4

I have one Geuniea Pig. I got him at a flea market in west virgina about 5 or 6 years ago. He was a baby and healthy and I also payed 5.00 for him. If you take good care of them they stay pretty healthy. Keep them out of drafty rooms and give them freash fruit and vegies along with there pellets. They love apples!!!! If I was you I would get one because they are very messy. Also try getting one from a rescue group. You'll be suprised at what you may find.

Answer 5

NO NO No!

dont get them from anywhere else but an animal shelter.

I went online to this puppy site and they were saying they were 100% real. So I wrote to 4 or 5 people about the chihuahuas and they all said the same thing; they were over in Africa on a missionary trip and I should send the money over there.

SCAM!!!

so please do not but guinea pigs from no where else other than a shelter.

Answer 6

Two is best, they are very social animals and love a friend, just make sure they were together before or are the same age at least. I have 9. Oh and also make sure they are both the same s*x, or you will have your own guinea pig city soon.

Answer 7

It is always best to get 2 piggies. They aer a social species and need the company of their own kind - they should never be housed alone!

Pet stores are absolutely the worst place to get any pet. Their animals come from back yard bereders or intensive mills - so you would supporting this form of cruelty.

Pet stores also tend to give poor care (toxic bedding, c**p food, etc) and rarely give vet care.

Many pet store animals turn out to be sick, mis-sexed or pregnant.

Breeders vary in quality - there are very few caring, responsible breeders who breed for health and keep their animals in excellent conditions. But the problem with every breeder is that they are adding to the problem of overpopulation - so more guinea pigs have to be put down.

It is usually possible to get young piggies from rescue - especially as many petstoer pigs are mis-sexed or preganant. The result is lots of unexpected litters - which peolpe then give away to rescues.

The best place to adopt is from a specific guinea pig or small animal rescue, as these will be the most knowledgable and give the highest standards of care.

Rescues will always get their animals vet checked etc when they come in, and treated if necessary - so it unlikely they would be sick, mis-sexed or pregnant.

Next best are the generic rescues (usually geared more towards cats and dogs) or shelters. You are still saving a life but these places are not so specialised so care may not be 100% spot on. Still - animals will usually be vet checked so should be healthy.

Other places to adopt are private rehomings - often found in local ads, petfinder and craigslist etc. Be careful they are genuine adoptions though - not breeders!

Private rehomings do not necessarily garantee good health.

I would think adopting the 2 sisters you have found would be fine. You should probably treat them for mice anyway (with ivermectin) and maybe take them for a check up. Otherwise, try doing a search for any guinea pig or small animal rescues in your area.

Good luck!