Is there any way at all i can keep my guinea pig alone? Not having a playmate

Question

i do have to go to school

please do not tell me of how my guinea pig would be cooped up alone in a cage all day. i do understand those terms.

But i am opened to suggestions

even if it has nothing to do with what i am asking anything about guinea pigs

Answer 1

animals dont need a nother animal because if u think its lonley u play with it that way u hamster and u will have a good time ]

best of luck georgia

Answer 2

Really, it is very unfair to keep a guinea pig on its own.

They are a social species and need the company of their own kind. They would never naturally live alone.

It is well established scientific fact that keeping social species in isolation causes a variety of health and welfare problems. This can include abnormal behaviour (eg stereotypies), reduced immune response, increased heart rate and blood pressure, increased cortisol levels (stress hormone), even reduced lifespan.

Many people who have later got a friend for their previously single piggie have noticed how much more active it is, how it does more popcorning etc.

Many people assume that a lone guinea pig will be okay if you spend lots of time with it.

Sadly, this is completely untrue!

For a start you are not a guinea pig. You are a large, scary predator. You will not eat together, play together, run laps and popcorn together etc. Even if your piggie is tame and affectionate, you can not interact or communicate with it in a natural or meaningful way. No amount of human attention can make up for the company of another piggie.

Even if it could - how much time can you really spend with your piggie? This social animal should have company at all times. You spend a lot of your day in bed. Then, when you are awake, you have school, homework, chores, eating, socialising etc. You would actually be able to give your pet very little ime in the scheme of things.

In the UK, the new legislation for animal welfare actually states that animals "needs" must be met - and this includes their need to live with other animals.

Really, keeping a single guinea pig is cruel - I would not recommend it.

Answer 3

My guinea pig lives by himself and he's perfectly fine. As long as you give him lots of attention when you ARE home, he should be fine. Just give him lots of loves, cuddles, and floor time and he'll be happy and healthy. I've had mine for 2 years and he's never had a playmate. He seems fine. Also, is he in your bedroom ?

My guinea pig was in my bedroom when I first got him for about a month, and then I moved him into the living room/kitchen because he was getting depressed. Especially if your guinea pig doesn't have a playmate, you should always keep them the place in the house where there is the most activity, like the living room or kitchen. Also, make sure your guinea pig is not on the floor, as this can be stressful to them. They should be around table height. I got a cheap little table from a garage sale that his cage is on, and he loves it! I did have an other guinea pig for about a week, and when I introduced them my guinea pig that didn't have a playmate acted very agressive towards the other one. So if your guinea pig hasn't had a playmate for a long time (a few years) it is best to take EXTREME procautions when introducing him to a new friend.

Answer 4

She will live. But she'd be way happier with a friend.

It pains me to see my guinea pig living alone. It's been three years since she last saw another guinea pig. My parents are dead-set against another one. I wish I had more of a brain when I got her at 10.

Make sure as soon as you get home give her loads of treats and attention.

Answer 5

Guinea pigs are sociable herd animals and much prefer to live in pairs or groups.  Two is no more work than one.  It is cruel to keep them alone; all the human attention in the world can't make up for the lack of a companion of the same species.  

Answer 6

No, your guinea pig should definitely have a playmate. Guinea pigs are social animals and should always be kept in at least pairs. They are much happier this way, and will honestly be much more fun to own! They play games, such as chasing each other around the cage, or tug-of-war with a carrot. It's very entertaining for you to watch! Your guinea pig will appreciate having a cagemate to be with while you're at school so he doesn't get really lonely all day.