I'm thinking of getting another guinea pig, I have one already who's a year old and he's very bored and lonely... I know I have the heart and money for another one, the only problem is convincing my family I can care for another one. Should I get another guinea pig? Should I wait? How should I approach my family with this question?
2007-03-22 03:47:02 · 6 answers · asked by d.jennifer 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Guinea pigs should have buddies. But it is often difficult to pair guinea pigs. Never pair with a female unless you are certain she or your guinea pig is neutered.
If you want a second guinea pig the best thing to do is check out cavycages.com. It will show you how to build a larger cage and give information about adopting. These cages are not only many, many times larger than petstore cages, they are also way, way cheaper and easy to make.
No matter where you live in the country, there are places to adopt guinea pigs within a 2 hour round-trip radius. Many of these places will help you pick a guinea pig that will fit your pig and some places will even transport the pig to you if you meet their requirements for adoption. You can also foster a guinea pig. If you do this (or if you end up getting a second pig) you should always quarantine (meaning put in a seperate cage) for TWO weeks and don't let them see each other or play with each other.
This will minimize the chance of an infection or mite infestation from spreading. If you suspect one pig has mites, go to the vet and ask for a mite treatment called Ivermectin. It will not hurt your guinea pig and you should get the prescription whether or not they do a skin scraping if you suspect mites. It's easier to treat and the skin scraping can hurt the guinea pig.
So basically, the short version: adopt if you can and they will help you pair your pig. Tell your parents that you are being responsible by giving your pig the best possible life, by giving it a friend. It will take time and patience to get a second pig (at first) and this will help teach you responsibility and empathy for our companion animals. If you just got this guinea pig, I would definitely wait a few months to decide if you can take care of two pigs. Don't be in such a rush. There are plenty of guinea pigs that need homes and will be there when you decide to start looking (but please, please don't by from a petstore or breeder. Petstores and most breeders-not all of course- are just looking for money and are adding to the overpopulation of guinea pigs). Check petfinder.com and if you need any more help you can email me at existenz48162@yahoo.com.
Also: I can guarantee one of your parent's concerns is the cost. Getting a second guinea pig does NOT double the cost.
2007-03-22 04:21:38 · answer #1 · answered by existenz48162 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
possibly say that your guinea pig is lonely and demands a pal, exhibit her guinea pig care internet sites that say guinea pigs are living in 2, and seem for guinea pigs that want adopting, i did that once it acquired my four, at the ad it mentioned they've been looking ahead to a how for six months, all that sort of stuff is helping. however individually i could persist with one, whilst there 2 it could actually get Complicated whilst the combat. well success getting a further piggie :]
2016-09-05 11:52:39 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got another guinea pig to keep my piggy happy and they got in a huge fight, I do not recommend having two that have not grown up together suddenly meet. Mine ended up with cuts and puncture wounds all throughout its body. Most piggys need a friend to keep them from beceming bored but at this pint I would not GET ANOTHER!
Good luck. If you really want two Piggy's i would suggest getting two that are the same age and that have grown up together.
Once you have one piggy and you add another to the cage the workload is about the same. That would not be the problem!
2007-03-22 07:09:35 · answer #3 · answered by Raizy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi ya, First of all i am sad to hear that your G pig is one its own. These are very social animals and need company. You did not state what sex you g pig is. I would recommend getting the same sex and your other one. With regard to you family i would explain your problem. g pigs should never be kept alone. it is unfair to do this unless you can given that one g pig everything it needs and more. they need alot of care on their own to stop then getting board. I am sure your family will give in if you explain that it is not fair on your one. in the mean time give you g pig loads of fuss and grooming and boost her feelings!
if you want any more advice feel free to e-mail me. good luck
2007-03-22 04:00:09 · answer #4 · answered by Natalie K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
guniea pigs like company and caring for one isn't anymore work really then caring for two as they share the same cage. If you have been looking after this one really well for a year, then just explain that and how you've already proven you're responnsible with this one
2007-03-22 03:58:10 · answer #5 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes b/c its best that they know you want another one instead of just getting another one
2007-03-22 03:55:58 · answer #6 · answered by Patrick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋