Guinea pigs; better with two?

Question

i have a guinea pig and she is the sweetest thing and loves other animals. i got her back in october and i used to all this time to play with her. but now she is almost one and i want to get her something really special. and i really want to get her a sister.

she is pretty small and i think getting another one would be great for her, because school is starting back soon and i dont want her to be alone all day just sitting there. and sometimes i sense that she is lonely.

so is this a good idea? she is a very sweet little girl and loves attention. so should i get another one? i really think i should. but i need other people's opinions. is it a good plan?

Answer 1

Guinea pigs are highly social creatures. That's something else they have in common with humans. My guinea pig, Dumpling, never had the opportunity to have a roommate because I was too stupid to learn as much as I could about caring for him before getting him.

A friend for your little one is a really great and thoughtful idea. Two females get along better than do two males or 1m and 1f. There's less chance they will be territorial, less chance for jealousy on your 1 year old's part and, of course, zero chance for unplanned little ones.

Depending upon the size of your piggy's accommodations you may want to consider a larger home for two. Guinea pigs, unlike rabbits, need room to run, scamper, popcorn and generally turn into little fuzzy hurricanes occasionally. For two I would suggest no less than 50 or so square inches, or about 1.3m. But more floor space is always better.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I had two at one time and they were good together, just make sure they have enough space. Wonderful little animals.

Answer 4

YES! Guinea pigs are social animals. Also, if you go to the right places, it hardly costs anything extra. Go to a feed store. You can get things super cheap. Besides, they're so small, the "extra" money you pay is hardly noticeable.. Just remember: NEVER use cedar shaving. It can kill them. And give them plenty timothy hay and vitamin C! I

Answer 5

I used to have a very sweet, chubby, white guinea pig named Snowflake. Unfortunatley, he passed away last year. He was very lonely. He really liked my friend's guinea pigs. I would definitly say get another. I'm sure she would appreciate your thoughtfullness. GREAT JOB! : )

Answer 6

I have always that caged pets do much better with live-in companions.  You can't be there all the time, and they enjoy the company.  But, be careful how you introduce the two.  Almost all animals are somewhat territorial, and thrusting this new roommate onto her may make her act out.  Check this site out, I'm sure it will help.

Answer 7

Guinea pigs do like company.  I had one - and got a friend for him - and he was happy about it.  BUT - make sure the cage is big enough for two of them.  I've read that they are prone to getting a paralysis in their hind legs if they don't get enough exercise - and a small cage shared by two pigs - will restrict their exercise.

They really are sweet animals aren't they?!!!!

Answer 8

Sure!! Do what ever YOU want to do!! It will be your guinea pig not the people on Yahoo Answer's! It is a good idea to get one for her to have a playmate will you are at school!!

I hope you get one!

♥ Rat Lover ♥

Answer 9

Yes, I think you should. Guinea pigs are VERY social animals. They clean each other's ears and keep each other company. Just make sure you get a larger cage and get the new guinea pig checked out with the vetrinarian to make sure that it is a she and that she isn't carring any sicknesses or mites. When my guinea pig, Ruby, died, her litter sister, Trixie, was SO sad. I felt terrible. So I rescued two female guinea pigs that were in an abusive home. It was obvious that they had mites, so I kept them seprate. I'm working on building a larger cage for all of them, so their still not all that used to each other. They're still being treated for mites, anyhow. Here's a website on how to introduce them so there is no territorial problems. Good luck!

Answer 10

Guniea pigs are very social animals. They love to be in groups between 2-5 or more.  I did the same thing when I got my first guniea pig. She would play with my big dog all the time and since I was starting to work more I got her a friend.  If you do get another one take the one you have now with you so you can find her real compatible friend, that way you don't have to worry about fights or getting an over aggressive one who just doesn't like anyone.

Answer 11

It takes two to tango...

Answer 12

I had one guinea Pig, who passed away two years ago. and he always seemed lonely. So, i then adopted two sisters. they seem much happier than my first one, but if you have two guinea pigs and even in they're the same s*x, you should spay or neuter them both. And, it will also take some time for them to get used to each other

Answer 13

I would say go for it! I started off with one guinea pig, and even though she seemed happy and everything I decided to get her a buddy. The two are quiet a pair! lol they both are extremely happy and that way when I'm not around to give them attention they have each other! Good luck!