I bought just one guinea pig...is it ok for it to be alone?

Question

...i give her lots of attention, she's kind of spoiled with treats and i made her a C&C cage so she can have more space and i treat her like a princess but i'm just concerned while i'm gone for some time in the day, she might be lonely or bored.

i don't know if i should get her a cage mate because i only need one cavy.

Answer 1

If you put in heaps of time to spoil her and give her lots of attention then it wouldnt be much of a problem, although when your away in the day your guinea pig could get really lonely.

I would suggest getting another guinea pig, just to keep your piggie company.

Answer 2

What? You only NEED? Hang on you bring an animal into your life, probably keeping it in unsuitable conditions yet you won't do the most fundamental basic thing for your pet which is same s*x company? Cavies NEED a companion. They don't need some spoilt person dictating their NEEDS. You could spend all your time with her, but she wouldn't have anyone to groom, play with, talk to, curl up with when it is cold.

Stop thinking of your own NEEDS and think of the poor animals.

And to the people saying one is ok....grow up and get educated. Animals as pets aren't throw away toys they have feelings and NEEDS too. If an animal is sociable, it should have companion of the same s*x to play with.

So go and get her a friend. Before she develops neurotic tendencies. She wont love you...she'll be forced to spend time with you as you are THE ONLY  company she has. What happens when the novelty wears off? guinea pigs live for up to 8 years.

Research or rehome

Answer 3

yeah

i dont see why not

Answer 4

You only NEED one cavy. I find it odd you say need.

I think you should think about the cavy. Get her a friend.

Answer 5

Yes, its "Ok" for her to be alone, as long as it gets interaction from you. But I do recommend getting a 2nd guinea pig as a companion. It will make her much happier. You said you only need one cavy...well a second actually isnt much more work. Since they are in the same cage, all you really have to do is get a second water bottle and supply more food. You are already lucky that you have a female. 2 females are almost always great together- while 2 males are not always good.

Answer 6

She will be fine

As long as you play with her at least twice a day,i play with mine about ten times a day! but i have 2 girls and 1 boy,but they have so much fun and so do i

Answer 7

just get her alot of things she can play with in her cage and hold her alot and play with her :)

Answer 8

Guinea pigs are sociable animals and need company of their own kind.  Human interaction is good but can never replace another pig.  They are herd animals and she will only be truly happy with a friend.  Get a another female (the younger the better) and if you can keep her in a separate cage for a week and meet them up on neutral territory (I found an empty bath tub was good as it is wipe clean and they can't just run away from each other) with plenty of nice treats as a distraction.  Continue these meetings untill you feel things are going well then clean your guinea pigs cage as thoroughly as you can to remove all scent and move the furniture round a bit, this should make it less of the first guinea pig's territory and should make the move easier.  If they don;t get along immediately give them two of everything like food dishes, toys beds so they have nothing to fight over.  A little play fighting and even humping is normal, only separate if blood is drawn.

Answer 9

Well they do like to have a companion or to be very socially active. If you are able to give her lots of attention then she won't need another guinea pig but since you are gone for a while during the day maybe it would be better if you got another guinea pig so she isn't lonely.

Answer 10

Definitely get another one! They are social creatures and can become depressed without company. I'm not doubting that you provide excellent company and spoil her with loves but you can't be there all the time and you said you are gone during the day. She needs constant company!!! The best thing for you to do is get another guinea pig of the same s*x and preferably reasonably close in age. Do NOT get a boy unless you are willing to have babies running around.

Answer 11

Human attention cannot replace same species interaction. It really isn't okay, no. You only need one cavy, but your cavy needs two. Please get her a same s*x friend, she'll be so much happier.

Answer 12

IF you are going to be gone for the day like to school or work and then yes you should get a cage mate because they do get lonely and bored and inorder for them to be happy and live longer you need to get them  a friend they can play with. they live longer and is happier pet.

you dont want to make them to lonely while they give you unconditional love they do need someone like them to communicate with like how you have a best friend they need that