If I was to have 2 male guinea pigs, will they spray to mark their territory or no?

Question

I'm thinking about getting a buddy for my boar, but I'm worried that getting him a male could mean a possibility of spraying. But I have read tons of books before getting my boar, and some of them say they wont but some books say they could...I'm so confused. And I can't get a spayed female, there aren't any people near my area selling neutered/spayed piggies anyway. What should I do?

Answer 1

You could get a female and take her to the vets for neutering (or take your male instread).  

I don't think males would spray but it is difficult to introduce adult males.  I have managed it sucessfully (and one of the males was kicked out his last home for bullying his male companion!).  

You must initially house them separately and introduce them every day on neutral territory (I chose the empty bath tub so thay had to stay together) with tasty food as a distraction from fighting.  After a few days or when they seem to be getting on (do not be discouraged by a violent first meeting - things will improve) you must thoroughly clean the cage they will live in and if possible re-arrange it a bit.  This is so that it will not smell like or resemble the territory of the pig who lived there.  Initially provide two of everything: beds, water bottles, food dishes, hay racks.  Once they are used to living together they can share one of each (probably still have two sleeping areas though as they may not want to sleep together).  If nothing else works it can help to put them in a stressful situation together (like a bath or a car ride) as they will want to cuddle together and will bond that way.

Answer 2

we found a baby rabbit at the side of the road about a year ago we bought a Guinea pig to keep her company Templeton our boar is lovely but sadly the rabbit died so we got another pig Wilbur then another pig they are all American short haired then we decided to get something more exciting so i bought two pedigree shelties there names are Louis after Louis vuitton and prada at the moment they are 4 months old and introducing all of these Guinea pigs we have never had any problems with them other than then expressing their dominance this takes place by the highest dominating pig humping the lower ranking until they comfortable with their rank Wilbur is a self white he is the dominant pig and might i add very cocky!!

i think that you should get another pig boar from a good pet store and introduce them,

my pigs are all over the garden at the moment playing

one thing to add if your pig hasn't had any other companions and he is over a year old i would strongly recommend that you do not get another pig as he wont be very socialized unless he has just lost his friend or quite young under a year old don't get another

Answer 3

Ok, I have had he same problem in the past.

You could get another male guinea pig, but you should have a big enough cage for them both (not a pet store cage) and divide the cage up. That way they can sqweek at each other and get to know them a little bit.

After a few days put them in a bath tub together and see how they react. If they start to fight separate them IMMEDIATLY!!!

If they get along then you can start to put them in the cage with each other. Watch them closley for a few days to make sure they dont go after each other.

Also, make sure you have two of everything (that way they dont spray stuff to try to mark their territory) for emample: if you had one tube or one water holder thing, get the same for the new piggie.

No book should tell you wether they will get along or not. All guinea pigs are different and they all have their own personalitys. Try this out, if they hate each other just get another cage but put them close to each other that way they can at least interact with each other.

I HOPE THIS HELPS!!!

Answer 4

I am very happy that you are being responsible by getting him a male buddy!

YES guinea pigs WILL mark their territories, but not in a "spray" kind of way. Instead, they drag their butts, or get it on eachother. It's just a thing of dominence, and after introductions and they get used to who is dominent they will not do it nearly as much. I have two boars who are currently buddies and I never smell it anymore, but it is a very smelly musky like smell.

Anyways, another more important thing you might want to consider is the age of your pigs. How old is your current pig? If he is at least a year old and hopefully older, your best bet will be to get a pig who is at least a year old as well. Guinea pigs younger than that are going through there adolences, and the hormones make them more likely to fight. I have personal experience with this myself, which Chauncey is now by himself until a few more months then he will be getting a buddy so he isn't lonely. Books are not reliable, because they are just regular people who more than likely are breeders, and breeders follow outdated guidelines and don't look into the animals genetics/health in a scientific truthfull way. If you have any more questions/concerns your best bet would be to go hear:

www.guineapigcages.com and go to their forums and join. At least look around. There are tons of people there who take cavy care very seriously and will be more than happy to help you out! :)

http://www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm

guinapigcages.com is run by the same lady who owns cavyspirit.  if you scroll near the bottom of the page you will find all the information you will know about how to introduce your guinea pigs, and learn about what certain things the pig does when determining their dominence with eachother.

For the hundreth billionth time (okay not really but close) Stephanie is out giving bad advice. It is completely false about your piggie being a year old and being "unscoialized". Also, pet stores are never a good place to get a pig, because they come from breeding mills, and they have amutures breeders who know NOTHING about the animals genetics. If they did, petstores would not be able to afford the science to really know. They are SALES people not vets. Money is their priority, and crontributing to the over population problem just to get money is no way animal loving. Besides, no responsible breeder breeds when there are thousands out there in shelters. Anyways, back to finding your pig a buddy..it does NOT matter if they are over a year old. It is NEVER to late to get your pig a buddy. Also, NEVER home a pig with a rabbit either. They have very different diets and digestive systems, contain certain organisms within their furr that can be deadly for your pig, and not to mention their back legs can easily injure and kill a guinea pig. Even a dwarf rabbit. My second advice would be to avoid what Stephanie is saying simply for the well being of your pig.