First, I bought Melody. She's about a year old now. I just bought another female guinea pig. They seemed to be getting along ok at first, but then Melody kept biting the other one's ears and chasing her away. My new guinea pig has even bit Melody a couple of times. Oh yeah, I bought the new guinea pig yesterday. (Jan. 1) Is it still to soon to assume they don't like each other? I only have one cage, besides an empty hamster cage, that I could put the new one in. I tried putting the new guinea pig in the hamster cage, but it was way too small for her. Would exchanging the new female for a male be a better idea? If so, where could I find a male? When I bought the new guinea pig at Petsmart they said they don't sell male guinea pigs. Do males come neutered when you buy them? Please help me out!
2007-01-02 08:42:06 · 6 answers · asked by ? 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
How long should I keep them seperated? How do I introduce them properly? How can I tell when they are ready to be in the same cage?
2007-01-02 10:28:00 · update #1
Okay, a major problem for guinea pigs is the age factor. Although a year apart doesn't mean much to human friends, it is a huge difference for guinea pigs. If your first guinea pig (Melody) has enjoyed your company all to herself for a year (or even a shorter amount of time), then of course she doesn't want to share you with another guinea pig! They may or may not get used to each other, but it's too soon to tell for sure. Make sure you give the most attention to Melody, since you had her first, and since she is more likely (and probably is already) the dominant guinea pig. Do not give your new guinea pig attention right in front of Melody, because Melody will take this as a sign of a challenge from the other guinea pig. You will want to get another cage for your new guinea pig, so they don't fight while you're away or asleep. It also helps for acclimation. You might want to get them both spayed too, because then their hormones won't make them so aggressive towards each other. Try this, but if push comes to shove, you may have to return your new guinea pig to Pestmart-- but beware! They often have a deadline for returning pets, so you should try and figure out that deadline and make adjustments accordingly. Also, it probably won't help if you swapped for a male piggie, because of the age difference, and because they don't come neutered, and the birds and the bees might get a hold of them, and you'd be overrun with baby guinea pigs to find homes for!
2007-01-02 09:18:37 · answer #1 · answered by shivers_42 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with all the other responses. But seeing as nobody has yet responded to your male question, I shall.
I own 2 guinea pigs, bought at the same time. They get along great because they shared a cage in Petco, so they are used to each other.
DO NOT get a male. They are not like rabbits, and therefore don't come fixed. It is expensive to get a guinea pig fixed and is bad for their health, and dangerous. They are such small animals compared to dogs/cats that just about any amount of anesthesia can possibly kill them. Even so, the male will still try and mount the female and can hurt her if she lashes out at him. If she is not in season, she'll bite him and be aggressive. So no- don't purchase a male. Its just a waste of time.
2007-01-02 17:20:44 · answer #2 · answered by accioxceddy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You'll have to separate them in different cages and leave them near each other (try not to leave the new piggy in the small cage cause it's not health for her). I don't think it's a good idea to bring a male if not neutered.
2007-01-04 07:26:57 · answer #3 · answered by Albert S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put them in separate cages, my son had 2 fancy mice, both males, they got along for a while too, then we had to separate them, the people at pet smart say that 2 males don;t get along as for 2 females...
2007-01-02 16:47:00 · answer #4 · answered by wondering one 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put them in adjacent yet separate cages. This way they cans see each other and possibly form a bond. then try to merge them later. If that doesn't work then unfortunately you will need to keep them separated.
2007-01-02 16:45:50 · answer #5 · answered by xxkittenluvxx143 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put a piece of glass or plastic to seperate them but so they can still see each other until they eventually get used to each other. Just a suggestion, not sure if it will work
2007-01-02 16:46:11 · answer #6 · answered by SUBLIME 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋