some people say that having one is better because they bond more toward you and others say that cavies need each other (so two) becasue they are so sociable, and if you have two then they might not bond towards you quite as much. what do you think- any personal experiences?
2006-12-22 12:36:36 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Definitely get at least two. They are extremely social animals. A single pig will be bored constantly. With two, they have another of their own kind to socialise with when you can't be there. They're like humans. A person can survive with only a cat as a friend, but will not be happy or mentally healthy. If you noticed, many if not all guinea pig rescues will either only adopt out in at least groups of two or to a home with other pigs. Just be sure that the friend is the same sex or neutered. Guinea pig breeding is very dangerous and not something to get into without a lot of knowledge.
Edited to add. Don't listen to jojo. These are domesticated animals, not wild. It's like comparing dogs to wolves. And FYI guinea pigs are NOT solitary animals in the wild, they live in large herds. Hamsters and guinea pigs are two completely different animals. It's like comparing monkeys to whales.
2006-12-22 12:41:37 · answer #1 · answered by pigs003 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
2
2006-12-22 13:50:59 · answer #2 · answered by robert m 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Guinea Pigs are very social animals and thrive on companionship. If there is just one you will have to spend alot of time with it, but they will bond very close to you. Having two gives that constant companionship and then they bond more with one another. So it is true, one of mine was just like a dog and would follow me everywhere, but he was an only one and I spent tons of time with him. The one I have now was raised and lived with other Guinea Pigs for awhile and bonded with me and no one else. But she would rather be with my dog than me. I would prefer to have two because I do not have as much time any more to devote to her and she does get really lonely.
2006-12-22 13:14:51 · answer #3 · answered by TritanBear 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We always kept two cavies. They seemed to need and enjoy each other's company very much. We didn't know any particular problem in bonding with people, but we didn't have anything else to compare it to either, since we always kept two. Somehow, it just seemed kinder to have two.
2006-12-22 12:40:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
i would say one if you want it to bond to you, two if you want to breed or if you want them to bond more to you. Even though you may have been told this, quinea pigs ARE NOT sociable with each other by natur. They only come together to breed in the wild, but they will be ok with each other as long as one excepts the other as dominant and they don`t fight. But it`s really all about how much work you want.
2006-12-22 12:41:21 · answer #5 · answered by jojostappsunny 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
We had many guinea pigs as kids, and having more than one in the same enclosure never made any difference with ours as far as bonding went. As long as you handle them and give them attention, they'll bond with you even if they have a friend with them.
2006-12-22 12:38:58 · answer #6 · answered by Lisa E 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Two - guinea pigs can be tamed, but having two is not going to make a difference with their tameness and they don't really ever 'bond'.
2006-12-22 13:40:44 · answer #7 · answered by sir'slady 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hmm i had many guinea pigs in the past and yes that is true, i'd a few and jsut had oen at a time then at one point we also had a few and when we only had one they were def. more personable but when they had each other then we didn''t liek it as much becuase they didnt find enjoyment out of seeing us as often as they would eachother and then we got no enjoyment out of then and it became a hasel to feed them and take care of them
also sometiems two of the same gender, mainly 2 males, don't always get along and if you have one of each gender you have to keept them seperate except once a week or so to aviod them of reproducing and then after that if they do you have to then seperate them
2006-12-22 12:40:34 · answer #8 · answered by catsrock227 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I would say it is better to have 2 so they can keep each other company.
2006-12-22 13:00:34 · answer #9 · answered by SuzyBelle04 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont have any but think how youd feel if you were the only human and didnt have a chance to be with other people.
Your not always going to have time to be with your G. pig and they need company.
2006-12-22 12:39:48 · answer #10 · answered by Dovahkiin 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋