I need advice about guinea pigs...?

Question

It is my younger sisters birthday coming up in the next few months and my mum would like to get her a guinea pig, then 2 weeks later it is my other sister's birthday and we thought we could get her one two, but keep them in different hutches. But we would like to know whether they would be ok in the same run together and playing about the house together if they have been bought two weeks apart? i have two hamsters and know that you cannot have two hamsters together unless they have been bought at the same time and are from the same family, this is why we will be putting the guinea pigs in different cages but we don't have space for two runs aswell! Also is it ok to keep guinea pigs outside in summer? as we would bring them inside in winter

Answer 1

They should be fine together but make sure they are both of the same sex or you could have litters of unwanted guineapigs around soon...unless you're Incan and then you would cook them and eat them as quineiapig is a source of meat in Peru.

Answer 2

Hi Emily, I have a couple suggestions: First make sure that giving guinea pigs for presents is something the whole family is sure about and ready to take responsibility for. You defientely don't want a pet that's going to be neglected soon after giving it. However, it sounds like you've though about this lots and are well prepared. I would get the guinea pigs at the same time, maybe right in the middle of the birthdays. I think they should live together, guinea pigs are happiest together if you get the right match. You will also only have to have one large cage. That way it's less stress for them. You probably can even get a pair that have been living together at a pet store, and that will really cut down on stress for them. However, if you happen to get a pair that don't know each other there are a couple things you can do. Make sure you invest wisely and buy a nice big cage with a plastic bottom and wire top. They are expensive, but you'll definetly get your $'s worth. They are easy to clean, don't smell so much, much nicer for the guinea pigs, and have a nice quality. If the guinea pigs don't know each other you will need to put a divider (e.g. cooling rack) in the middle so they can see/smell each other but not touch more than noses. Make sure they have adequate food and water on each side. After a few days or so they can be together. It may also help for their first meeting to put out some lettuce or something yummy to munch on, they'll be a little distracted by that. Probably getting two females would be smartest. Males can be neutered as well, but two males will often fight. I've also heard that a neutered male and female make a great combo. If you live in a warm climate and a safe area, if you make an adequate hutch they can live outdoors. Buying a guinea pig book ( http://www.amazon.com ) or getting one from a library will probably have some plans in it. However, if you don't want to deal with that, you can take the top off your wire cage (another +) and put it out on the lawn. That way, they can eat dandelions and get some fresh air for awhile. If you do this make sure they have shade - a house, or a towel draped over one part along with water. (for short time periods with people around) Guinea pigs can also run around the house in places such as bathrooms where there are no cords and places to get hurt in. They are wonderfully fun pets! Here are some helpful starter sites: http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/guineapigs/a/gp101.htm , a very comprehensive one: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/rar/MNAALAS/GPig.html and probably the best one is http://guineapigs.info/ Hope it all works out!

Answer 3

Here is the most important thing you need to know. Guinea pigs do not like to live alone. If you get 2, get the same sex and put them together. I would reccomend 2 females. Generally, males bought just 2 weeks apart will be fine but they can occasionally be aggresive to the new arrival. It will be very sad for your guinea pigs to be friends only to play together and be separated. You will find them getting lonely enough to squeek like mad when they hear their friend shuffling around in the cage next door.

If you are going to introduce them separately, introduce them on neutral terratory, such as a box. Hold one and let it smell the other one. When they seem happy you can put them together. It's much easier to buy them together. Buy from a breeder as they can advise you better

It is fine to keep them outside in summer, away from a draught. Bear in mind it still gets chilly so give them lots of hay. Keep the hutch high above the ground, buy an outdoor hutch, and make sure you keep them away from rain. Also be aware if you have foxes make sure they can't get them!!

Answer 4

As far as I know, yes! Maybe 5 or some odd years ago I had guinea pigs of my own that I got on two separate occasions, and we'd let them hang out together and one day in May I found two little babies sitting by the female.

Also, do not try to take the guinea pigs out in summer! It only takes several minutes for them to get over heated. If you decide they might need some excersize, take them under a tree or another shaded area, and keep plenty of cold water available.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

Guinea pigs like to be together .But make sure they are the same sex I think it is best to keep males to gether .MY grandchildren have two guinea pigs had them for about two year and i think they are the perfect pet for children they dont bite and are so loving They are kept in side .But kept in a run all day in summer under shade, back in doors at night time.They live in the same hutch which is plastic so easy to clean, large size is best for two. T hey were also bought 2 weeks apart.Not so easy to find in pet shops these days

Answer 6

my little sister has four guinea pigs and she keeps two of them in separate chages and the other two together. The two that she keeps together were bought a year apart and they get along fine. They actually get upset when they are separted. So im pretty sure it should be okay as long as you see they aren't fighting with each other. I remember they ran around excited and squeaked a lot when they were first introduced to each other, so don't mistake that for them not getting along.

Also, she keeps her guinea pigs outside as soon as it starts to get warm, in about late spring and then they come back inside in early fall and they do great.

Answer 7

Hi there I ahve just bought less than a wk ago Pinky & Perky, 2 male (I think, or so I was told/shown) it's hard to see, I ahve tried to check, anyway, sorry back to the answer, mine are about 8-9 wks old and get along fine, they are both from the same batch, it's much fun hearing them chatting to each other, or squeaking, I would not introduce later, get them both at once. I have a BIG plastic bottom cage for indoor use, and they are quite satisfied.

Answer 8

Guinea pigs must be kept in pairs. They are very social and like the company. Get two females at the same time and make them a cage like on this site http://www.guineapigcages.com . It's really easy and cheap. It cost me $25 to build a two-level one! Anyway I hope you decide to get them! Do a lot of research.

Answer 9

Guinea pigs like each others company, but to be honest it would be cruel to keep them apart and then just put them together when they go in their run. I would buy 2 together and keep them together in one big hutch.

Answer 10

guinnie pigs are not usualy aggressive to each other. they should play together well. just watch what sexes you get or you may end up with alot of baby guinnie pigs. i have kept two in the same cage before with no problem.

as far as keeping them out side in the summer it all depends on how hot it gets where you are. they have thick fur and can overheat easily. if you do keep them out side maksure they are in te shade and misted every so often. if you overheat them they will die.

good luck

Answer 11

Guinea pigs prefer to live in two's ( they would live in much larger groups if they had the chance)
They like company and are not usually aggressive .

Be carefull about getting two of different sexes though unless you want piglets!!

In the UK they will live happily outdoors all summer and autumn. We used to put ours in the garage in winter.