Their cuteness and sweetness are two of many reasons why guinea pigs are loved by people all around the globe. Although the cavies are quite persistent and easy to transport, they are usually kept as pets. But the most important
Question arises: should I get only one guinea pig, or should I get at least two of them?
And this question makes many potential guinea pig owners anxious and troubled. Sometimes it seems almost ludicrous, but even pet owners who dote on their animals may be able to see that, say one, guffaw, it is a intellectually ridiculous suggestion. But let’s see whether a man raised guinea pig can manage living on his own, and what can be done to ensure that its life is kind and comfortable.
Viewing guinea pigs as pets can be rather rewarding considering their sociable properties: pigs are highly social animals. Of course, the wild animals/quadrupeds are not solitary beasts, but rather social, playful animals who squawk and squeal with each other while keeping a watchful eye on their companions.
This sense of social bonding has not been lost on them just because they have now been domesticated. Even among pets, such as cats and dogs, they would play with each other as pets are social animals and would like to feel whole or secure.
A guinea pig may face the challenge of loneliness, tedium, or fright if it does not have a friend. However, their mental and physical health does not benefit from stress that comes as a result of solitude. Physically active people often notice that guinea pigs kept in pairs or groups are more active and make more noise than those kept alone.
They do not only require “companionship.” There are certain sounds like the chirp, the mow or the whistle that these creatures use to communicate. Social interactions are a crucial part of their lives and an imbalance in them results in an all round altered behavior.
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What does a guinea pig go through when it is left absolutely alone?
A single guinea pig can survive in a household as long as the person looks after it properly. A pet of this type may show stress and even signs of loneliness, for instance, stress related.
Open and excessive do not mean the same thing when used in context. A solitary guinea pig would experience idleness of movement as it would cower in one corner.
Not being under stress may be the reason that food hunting becomes a focus as well.
Attention seeking: the guinea pig may be bored and attempts to clean its owner by squeaking or producing high pitched sounds.
Social isolation: some of the lone guinea pigs would try to bite the bars of the cage while others tend to become aggressive where their social needs are unmet.
Significant interruptions with social support for a protracted time can result in alteration of the immune system which increases the probabilities of contracting diseases.
When keeping one guinea pig might be necessary
It is acceptable to have one guinea pig together with several others but there are instances when having one is the only option. Such include:
Rescue situations: there is a possibility of adopting a single guinea pig that has been living alone for several years and may be quite difficult to integrate with others.
Health barriers: in certain situations, one guinea pig may be required to remain isolated temporarily due to illness, injury or after surgery.
Space or resources: in such cases where space or resources are limited, it is preferable to have one guinea pig and ensure that the guinea pig is well taken care of rather than having two and giving them poor services.
In this scenario, it is important to compensate for the lack of a different guinea pig by providing them both attention and stimulation.
Maintaining a solo guinea pig
If you are planning to keep one guinea pig, you will have to go an extra mile in making them happy. The following are suggestions:
Have them interact with you
Guinea pigs are sociable animals. If they lack a guinea pig friend, then you will have to be their friend. Spend some few minutes to talk to them, caress them, or let them out of the cage for supervised exploration.
Keep them busy
Being alone can be a big problem. To keep them occupied give them toys, tunnels, or even hiding places. You may as well change their accessories from time to time to keep their surroundings interesting.
Make their surroundings interesting
Make sure that their cage is large, clean, and has many soft bedding, hayracks, chew sticks. Sometimes a lack of a companion can be compensated by providing a joyful environment.
Provide them with a mirror
Some guinea pigs like to stare into a mirror and assume it is another guinea pig. Obviously, it cannot substitute a real friend, but it can be nice to look at.
Be sensitive to their needs
It is important to observe their behavior as well as their health. If they do not seem happy even after trying your best, you might want to consider changing their living conditions.
The advantages of having at least two guinea pigs
Just like humans, guinea pigs also need company in their existence which is why it’s best to have two guinea pigs or more. Some of the reasons are:
Interacting with another guinea pig
Instituted guinea pigs often play, eat, and groom together which helps them develop a sense of security and decreases stress.
No need to feel alone
Having a companion allows the cavy to have someone to talk to rather than looking for humans all the time to play with.
Less work for owners
Most people think the opposite, two guinea pigs does not involve much work or effort. They can share a cage, toys, and resources e.g., food bowls except water bottles. It is also nice for owners to see them fight or play together.
Pairing guinea pigs: what you need to know.
If you have a single guinea pig then, patience is key whenever a new companion is introduced. This is how it’s done:
Look for a right match:
It’s important to remember that guinea pigs are territorial which is why, matches have to be made carefully. It’s best to introduce females and male guinea pig pairs that have been neutered to avoid breeding entirely.
Neutral territory introduction:
Introduce them while they still do not feel territorial. Watch their behavior in relation to each other as signs of aggression or acceptance.
Gradual integration:
Let them be together for very short periods at first. Ease the time limit, as they get used to each other.
Monitor their behavior:
Watch for cases of severe violence, which may suggest failure to cooperate. Nevertheless, these consist of minor incidents which are to be expected in the course of establishing hierarchy.
Separate if necessary:
In such cases where there is discord, it is preferable to house them away from one another in order to prevent physical injuries.
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Dispelling common myths about keeping one guinea pig
Guinea pigs can bond exclusively with humans
As sociable animals, a guinea pig may be able to develop attachment to its owner. However, guinea pigs do not gaze up to humans as they do one another. Their satisfaction is never completely met without the company of vanquishing their own species.
It’s cheaper to have just one:
Though one guinea pig may appear to be cost saving in the short run, the expenses on toys and breeds and strain induced vet visits among other things can be quite expensive.
One guinea pig will be less noisy:
They have a language that they are always ready to express even in the comfort of solitude. A singular guinea pig might actually be more vocal while making a demand for attention.
The final verdict: is it okay to keep a single guinea pig?
In an ideal world, guinea pigs should always come in numbers; never alone. They are social animals, having company is extremely important. There are circumstances, however, when one guinea pig is all you can have, and in that case, it is possible to offer your guinea pig a happy and well-rounded lifestyle because you cater to their social and emotional needs.
Please keep in mind that a guinea pig is not exactly a pet you can care for over a short period of time. It really does not matter whether you get one or more guinea pigs, your unrelenting commitment as an owner and love for the furry pet will always bring joy. A content guinea pig, with or without company, is a perfect pet that any household needs.
