Does guinea pig need cage mate?

Question

I had two guinea pigs that had been sisters from the same litter. They were always kept in the same cage and never apart. Last year one died and the other one dosent seem to care a whole lot but i thought mabey she could still use a friend. what do you think?

Answer 1

Guinea pigs are social animals. However, introducing a new piggy into "her" cage might cause some fighting initially...or permanently. If she doesn't seem distressed, I wouldn't bother with it.

Answer 2

If you are going to get this guinea pig a cage mate the first thing you need to think is - do you want more? If the answer to this question is no then make sure you get another girl, two boys do not work together very well. If and when you get the other guinea pig do not just put it in th cage with the other one introduce them through the cage, put the new one on the outside and let them get to know each other, this may take some time so make sure you have somewhere to keep the new one. If you are giving your guinea pig love and attention then it really doesn't have to have a mate. (also never use ceder shavings !) Good Luck !!!!

Answer 3

When I had two guinea pigs together they bickered, being males and all, but when the one passed, so did the other. very sad day. I bought another pig and the one that was left behind ,per se, ignored the new baby..shortly thereafter, she passed. I have found that with my pigs when one goes, the other soon passes, no matter what I have done to stop their perceived loneliness..As strange as at may sound, guinea pigs mate for life..whether of the same gender or not, they are bound to one another..wait a bit and then decide is my only advice

Answer 4

I actually get emails from this lady I don't know her name but she told me that guinea pigs do need to have another pig with them unless you can be with and play with the pig for at least an hour every day. I have had guinea pigs that have done better with more than one pig, I had a guinea pig by itself and it didn't live as long as the one that I had with another pig.

Answer 5

Quinea pigs I have been told are pack animals they live in packs in South America so yes your Quinea pig needs a friend to hang out with. No one knows this but some rodents like company they seem to do will if they have a friend in the cage with them Dingus's are like that and so Gerbils. Quinea Pigs are social interactive animals and yes a friend would be nice to have keeps the loneliness at bay.

Answer 6

Well she might need some company, but I wouldn't recommend putting them in the same cage at first. It is always better to put them in different cages but close enough for them to smell/see each other and then you could try to make them interact in a neutral place so they can get used to each other until they are ready to be moved into a same cage. Good Luck.

Answer 7

I think she can do just fine alone. I always Just had 1 Guinea pig at a time and they always did fine. So I wouldn't worry about it

Answer 8

My guinea Spot has been a loner for the whole six years that I've had him.He seems to be a happy pig.When the weather permits take her outside and spend time with her.She'll love the grass and the attention.

Answer 9

Yeah! Its best to buy another one for the Guinea Pig's company.

Here is a good site:

http://jackiesguineapiggies.com/companionship.html

Answer 10

Since it has been a long time since your piggie has had a friend, it would probably be better to leave her by herself. Just make sure and give her plenty of attention instead. After they have been by themselves for a while, they seem to get territorial and you take the chance of her fighting with a newcomer because they would be 'invading' her space.