Your guinea pig need time to adjust to new life

You finally brought your guinea pig home and cannot wait to sit on your couch, read the paper or watch TV while he is happily munching snacks in your lap. It will happen, but with time, practice and patience.

During the first 3-4 days it can be very tempting to pick him up and cuddle with him. However, this is a new environment and a very stressful time for your new pet. You need to provide hiding spots for your guinea pig, especially when you have more than one guinea pig. Each cavy needs his or her own place or a fight could break out. Give your guinea pig several days to adjust to this new life. But, remember – you don’t want to scare him, so take small steps and be patient.

Looming over your guinea pig’s cage will only frighten him

Shadowing him is only going to terrify your guinea pig. Instead, when you want to observe him, kneel down to eye level with the cage.

Bribery really works when building trust with your guinea pig

As crazy as it sounds, the best way to get your guinea pig to trust you is bribery with treats. There are so many things your guinea pig loves to eat that finding something to bribe him will not be an issue and it will help gain his trust.

Start by showing your guinea pig the delicious treat, and then set it at the cage’s open door. After that relax, sit with your hands in your lap, and wait. After awhile, if he didn’t show interest in the treat, pick it up slowly, close the cage door and leave. Keep trying a few times a day until he gets the idea that he should to come and get the treat.

Each time he comes, try to move a little closer to the cage. This will give your guinea pig a chance to get used to your presence. With time he will become less apprehensive and eventually run and jump in excitement when he sees you coming.

Time to get more affectionate with your guinea pig …

Once your guinea pig is used to your presence, you can attempt physical contact by careful and gentle stroking, brushing and caressing his fur, scratching his ears or rubbing his belly. But be very careful and do not attempt to pick him up yet. And remember to be calm and tender as sudden movements or too much contact will only scare him away, and destroy the tentative bond of trust you’ve built with him, and possibly damage any relationship in the future.

How to hold your guinea pig, so you won’t hurt him?

When you first handle your guinea pig, do so in a quiet room. Use extreme caution when picking up and holding your guinea pig. Cup the torso with your hand and carry him gently, ensuring that his entire body is supported. Remember that your guinea pig has a very fragile bone structure and he can be easily injured if dropped or if your grasp is too strong.

If you are patient, he will eventually welcome your presence and the attention you are giving him. After a while, he will actually request it by squealing when he sees you near.

For more information on how to help your guinea pig adjust to his new life click here.

Guinea pigs make great pets

Guinea pigs are lovely little animals and they make great pets. They are intelligent, easy to tame and they are great lap pets. While one guinea pig is probably enough to keep you entertained and engaged you should seriously consider purchasing two or more.

Guinea pigs like company

Guinea Pigs are extremely social creatures, love the company of others, so they quickly get lonely living on their own. Guinea pigs are wonderfully vocal and will come and chat with you. This vocalization plays an important part in socialization with other pigs and humans.

Guinea pigs need and like attention, and if you have just one, your guinea pig is going to cry for your attention more often. Their health will also suffer when left alone. If your pet has a partner or playmate to keep them entertained, you don’t have to spend quite as much time with them.

The sex of the matter

If you’re planning on getting just one guinea pig, sex isn’t that important. By nature, female guinea pigs (sows) are more subdued and less active, while males (boars) have more energy and need more exercise; males also grow up larger and they have stronger odor.

One guinea pig, Two guinea pigs, Three guinea pigs, and counting…

So, you decided to buy more than one guinea pig. Should you get two females (sows), two males (boars), one of each, or combinations of both sexes?

Bringing in two females or a male and female guinea pig is pretty simple and undemanding, but make sure their “visits” are supervised until you are sure that they are happy together. Always give them separate nesting boxes to prevent squabbles over hiding space.

Guinea Pigs like company

If you decide to purchase two pigs, the best combination is two sows or a sow and a boar.

Two females in the same cage will get along well, although you may learn that they will squabble a little over food and water. Still, due to their peaceful nature, it is very unlikely that they will cause a major fight.

A male and a female in the same cage will actually get along great. The female acknowledges that the male is dominant, and the male accepts the female as his, and act peacefully towards her.

Negative aspects about this peaceful situation? Endless litters of puppies (baby guinea pigs) and a shortened female life span. Females can become pregnant as early as two months of age. The female cycle is only 18 days, and the gestation of guinea pigs are only two months, which can result in literally dozens of puppies in just a year.

Having the male neutered will, however, solve the problem. It is kinder to put a boar through a simple surgical treatment (your vet will do it easily) that to doom him to a life in solitary confinement. If no males are present, there is no need to spay a female.

How about them boys?

A common misconception with male guinea pigs is that if you put two in the same cage, they’re going to fight to the death. While that sounds plausible it’s wrong and far from truth. Two boars can occasionally fight as they reach adulthood although most boars who grow up together are fine together their whole life.

Two male guinea pigs will fight if they don’t have enough cage space, but given plenty of room, each guinea pig will have his own territory and be content with it.

How about them boys?

Keep in mind that if you already have two male guinea pigs, you cannot introduce a female guinea pig to the cage. The males will fight for dominance over the female and the loser would have to be removed from the cage immediately. If he’s left there, he will starve to death as the dominate boar will keep him away from both the food and water.

So many to choose from…

Many pet stores usually have more than one cage full of guinea pigs, making the selection process more difficult.

If you’re purchasing more than one guinea pig, make sure they both come from the same cage. This will take care of adjustment issues as most boars that grow up together are fine together their whole life. Just make sure you are offered two pets that have always lived together and you’ll be fine.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OWNING & CARING FOR GUINEA PIGS CLICK HERE