Guinea Pig

[Kelly1979]

I had two guinea pigs and had them both for three years. One died in May and I was wondering whether I could introduce a baby guinea pig of the same sex to the other one or whether they would end up fighting and not getting on? My guinea pig seems happy on her own at the moment but could she be happier with a companion?

[flibble]

We have done just that on a couple of occasions when one has died and we didn't want the other to be lonely!

We've never had any problems but it is always advisable to introduce them both to see if they get along before you commit to having the new one!

[Stinkerbell]

i have found the best companion for a guinea pig to be a rabbit. they seem to get on really well.

[estie]

Oh, I wouldn't do that at all (the rabbit thing). See here:

http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/AnimalCare/Animals&articleid=996827942866

They say "The widespread practice of keeping guinea pigs and rabbits together is not recommended."

Plus, rabbits, when well cared for, can live up to 10 years. Do you really want to bond it to an adult guinea pig that it is definitely going to outlive?

[l_h_kings]

I always found that two female Guinea Pigs will live together happily even if introduced in adulthood. Sometimes 2 males will too, but only if there is no scent of a female guinea pig.

I have also found guineas live well with rabbits too,  although males will often attempt to produce some kind of hybred guinea-rabbit.

[rampart]

Kelly, when I used to introduce gerbils or hamsters, I would put them in separate cages close together where they can see and smell eachother, but not touch. After a few days of that, I would put a few drops of olive oil or cologne on their noses, then put them in the same cage. Olive oil and cologne interrupt their ability to smell.

I do not know if that would work with guinea pigs or not, but it might be worth a try.

[little eff]

actually i heard that rabbits can sometimes bully guineas... we had two brothers from the same litter (obvioulsy!) thinking they would get on and we had to split them up because of fighting. they were really really aggressive, we took one back to the seller as we were unable to keep 2 seperatly due to space and he was sold to a breeder as he could not be re-homed with another diue to agression. we never kew why but pout it down to personality clash.... any way we didnt want the first to be lobnley so we introduced a young male from another litter and they are great together! so doesnt always work to plan! they are very sociable creatures and love company so i would suggest a friend.