Hi! I just got a new guinea pig as a companion for my other one after one of mine died. However this time our new one is only 10 weeks! We have only looked after guinea pigs starting at 4/5 months. Is there any advice you could give us about young ones? We can’t introduce the two for a while bc of the age gap. Does he need to be older to go outside or be cuddled? Also any name suggestions? Thank you!
Hi!
Babies and youngsters below teenage (i.e. 4 months) are desperate for company; they really need to be bonded as soon as possible, ideally above any quarantining considerations. This age is crucial for their development and social integration; it is the equivalent of the human 'school age' when guinea pigs learn from their elders how to master their environment and the finer points of the complex social interaction. They really need that guidance from a 'guardian' or 'teacher' piggy who leads by example and gives them the confidence and the emotional grounding to become a successful member of society in their own right as an adult.
The age gap is no issue. I have successfully bonded 3 week old baby boars with adult boars, as well as several girl babies with neutered boars.
The most extreme case is my Carys, who was 5 weeks when she was bonded with 3 years old Gethin and his 7 1/2 year old remaining wife Ffwlbri. By then Ffwlbri was starting to get on a bit but in fact lived for another year, not least because the renewed zest little Carys gave her - so age is truly not an issue!
Here is a picture of Carys' bonding; she and Gethin have just welcomed a new sow-friend as Gethin is now getting a bit elderly himself...
Please take the time to read our bonding guide including baby preps and the chapter on baby intros (with videos). As long as your baby has got the space to get away and in the case of boar bonding has a little safe space your bereaved piggy cannot get into in case the humping becomes too much, they are in now danger - babies are far too quick and agile for any adult! Just make sure that you have two of each and that any huts have two exits so the baby cannot be cornered.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Your little one can simply be put on a normal diet; if you really wish, you can feed either 1 tablespoon of young guinea pig pellets or feed 2 tablespoons of pellets.
Keep in mind that any extra amounts are truly minute and to a large extent already covered in a good general diet. My own succession of surprise babies or adopted babies have never suffered from eating what the rest of their mates had and have in the majority of cases lived to a very good old age of 7-8 years in most cases without ever being majorly ill.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
