Caring for a single Guinea Pig?

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Sarahbear7467

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I'm a new Guinea Pig owner and despite all my research about caring for them nothing mentioned the need for having more then one. I only have one Guinea pig and I am unable to get a second for multiple reasons. What can I do to keep him happy despite being by himself?
 
Hello and Welcome to the Forum
:wel:

It is good that you have found your way here for advice, but too be honest the best and kindest thing you can do for your guinea pig is to get him a friend.
There really is nothing else you can do that will make him as happy as having companion of his own species with him 24/7.

How old is he, and what cage is he in?
Is he an indoor or outdoor piggy?

If you can elaborate on the reasons you can't get another guinea pig right now then maybe people will be able to offer some ideas for the short term, but the reality is that it simply is not fair to never offer a guinea pig the opportunity to have a companion. Maybe this will be a possibility for you in the longer term?

A good place to start to learn more about guinea pigs in general is here:
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
 
Welcome. I am in a similar situation as you but with 2 piggies.

My boy Finn has been with me since he was a baby and while I was searching for a new cage-mate/friend for him, my friend assigned me as a pet parent for Lara, a girl piggy. I didn't want to see Lara homeless so I took her in and bought her a separate cage for $100.

Although Finn and Lara do stay close by so they can hear and see each other, they live in separate cages for obvious reason. So, I give them lots of toys, mirrors, and extra veggies, herbs, and fruits to keep them busy.

Here is Finn with his white Doggy, which he had from when he was a baby. Finn cuddles with his Doggy until Doggy is dirty. I see him sleeping with Doggy also.
IMG_4198.webp
 
Swissgreys said:
Hello and Welcome to the Forum
:wel:

It is good that you have found your way here for advice, but too be honest the best and kindest thing you can do for your guinea pig is to get him a friend.
There really is nothing else you can do that will make him as happy as having companion of his own species with him 24/7.

How old is he, and what cage is he in?
Is he an indoor or outdoor piggy?

If you can elaborate on the reasons you can't get another guinea pig right now then maybe people will be able to offer some ideas for the short term, but the reality is that it simply is not fair to never offer a guinea pig the opportunity to have a companion. Maybe this will be a possibility for you in the longer term?

A good place to start to learn more about guinea pigs in general is here:
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
Click to expand...
He's an indoor Guinea Pig. He's young, not sure of his exact age. Main reasons I can't get other one is I can't afford to buy a big enough cage for two of them and I dont have the space to put one that large either. I may have the space and funds in a few months but right now I do not.
 
Hi there, when I got my first piggy I thought it was okay to only have one. To be honest, he was fine on his own since my family and I gave him lots of love. But as I did my research I understood that he needed a friend, therefore Penny came along :) I understand your reasons for not getting another one. Although I strongly suggest getting another in the future, my advice would be to give your piggy lots of love, lap time, and floor time for now. Maybe even get him a guinea pig stuffed animal? Best of luck x
 
Hello.
As other forum members have mentioned, the absolute best thing to do is to get a second guinea pig. Pet store cages are expensive but they don't even provide adequate space for guinea pigs, so I always recommend a c & c cage because they are super easy to build and cheap! My friend made a c & c guinea pig cage and she bought the grids for it under $20 on a website she found.
In order for your guinea pig to be happy/healthy, they NEED a companion. I really can't imagine my two pigs without each other, they are closely bonded!
A stuffed animal or even a mirror will never truly make a guinea pig happy. They need another so they can sleep together, touch, groom one another, and just be there for each other. Hope ive helped :)
 
As @cavylover2002 has said - if you look online you may find materials for a c&c cage relatively cheaply.
Try a local songwriter who may have ends and bit they'll sell at a knockdown price.
One advantage of the c&c cages is that you can build them to fit your space.
I made mine into an L shape as the room isn't long enough for a straight cage.
 
Swissgreys said:
Hello and Welcome to the Forum
:wel:

It is good that you have found your way here for advice, but too be honest the best and kindest thing you can do for your guinea pig is to get him a friend.
There really is nothing else you can do that will make him as happy as having companion of his own species with him 24/7.

How old is he, and what cage is he in?
Is he an indoor or outdoor piggy?

If you can elaborate on the reasons you can't get another guinea pig right now then maybe people will be able to offer some ideas for the short term, but the reality is that it simply is not fair to never offer a guinea pig the opportunity to have a companion. Maybe this will be a possibility for you in the longer term?

A good place to start to learn more about guinea pigs in general is here:
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
Click to expand...
Great advice right here
 
I thought I post my boy Finn sleeping with his Doggy. Finn's Doggy has been his best friend since he was a baby. Doggy gets dirty quickly also.
IMG_4630.webp
 
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