How Can You Keep Lone Guinea Pigs As Happy As Possible

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MWA

MWA

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i know its best to keep guinea pigs in pairs, but I only have room for one is there any tips for keeping a lone Guinea pig as happy as possible.
 
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Hello. Welcome to the forum. One guinea pig needs just as much room as two. The cage has to be a minimum of 120 cm by 60 cm. as that is just the minimum space the guinea pigs will need two hours of floor time a day. I would never get just one guinea pig. They are social animals and need company of their own kind. Rescues will not rehome a guinea pig to live alone.
 
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If you have room for one, then in my opinion you have room for a friend. All pigs should have a 120cm cage, which is big enough for 2 also. This is the smallest cage I would keep pigs in, they need the room for all of those popcorns and zoomies! Having seen pigs alone and it pairs it would never cross my mind to keep lone piggies. Just as we humans 99% need the company of their own kind, we may love their wheeking but we can never talk back in the same language! Please reconsider, I'm sure you love your piggie but there will always be something missing.
 
Hi and welcome!

Have you already got a single piggy or are you just planning to?

If you haven't yet got one, I would recommend to rather look for rodents that are not group animals or don't need the ground space that guinea pigs need. Whether you have one or two guinea pigs, they should have at least 2x4 ft space to be able to exercise freely.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/cage-size-guide.120795/

If you already have a single piggy, spending some hours each day is the best thing you can do. Here are tips for tried and tested toys: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/guinea-pig-toys.43520/

With members from all over the world, we find it very helpful in always being able to tailor our advice to your location if you added your country, state or (for the UK) your county/city to your details. Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thanks!
 
I agree with the above. Rule of thumb is, if you cannot have two, then don't get any. A piggy will simply not be happy, and one pig needs just as much room as two, do not be sucked in by tiny pet shop cages.
 
Welcome to the forum.
You should look into expanding your space to get another guinea pig, because it can be hard for a lone piggy. To keep him/her happy, you need lots of cuddle time, treats (Vegetables, of course), and lots of floor time.
Again, I strongly recommend getting two, your piggy will be much happier and easier to take care of. And PLEASE, do not get a pet store cage. I made that mistake and I am so far regretting it, but I am upgrading to a C&C cage for Christmas.
Of course, if your guinea pig has been alone for their whole lives and they are, say, 3 years old, you probably shouldn't get another one. But if your guinea pig is young or hasn't been alone for his/her whole lives, the best advice I can give you is to get another.
 
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sport_billy said:
Hello, welcome to the forum.

As everyone has said one takes the same space as 2. A ferplast 120 is a great cage for 2 piggies and can be found cheaply on ebay or here zooplus http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/rabbit_cage/120_cm_cages/14083 Here is a link to what piggies need http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/getting-a-guinea-pig-items-youll-need-to-buy.112288/

Any further questions please ask ,we will do our best to help

Lee
Click to expand...
Thanks
 
1GuineaPig1 said:
Of course, if your guinea pig has been alone for their whole lives and they are, say, 3 years old, you probably shouldn't get another one. But if your guinea pig is young or hasn't been alone for his/her whole lives, the best advice I can give you is to get another.
Click to expand...

It's never too late to find a piggy friend!

My last three rescues have all been single pigs, either neglected or well looked after, until after the age of three and have absolutely flourished with the addition of a buddy.... It just makes them so happy. It's a beautiful things see when they find a new friend, they just look so much more animated and radiant.

It's worth visiting a rescue to date and find a good match for your piggy ifbyou have one already or please consider getting two. Human company is good but nothing replaces another piggy. As everyone else has said one pig ideally needs the same space as two anyway...
 
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