Is 2 enough?

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Hallie

Junior Guinea Pig
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I am looking at getting 2 girl guinea pigs. When watching videos online during research an animal specialist said that guinea pigs like it better in groups of 3 or more for their “confidence”. Is this true?

Also thinking if something happened to 1, then 2 would still have each other :-/
 
I have four but at minimum have 2. Guinea pigs need to have a friend because they are social animals, if you only have one he/she will suffer and can fall very ill. The more Guinea pigs you have the better for them and the more entertaining they will be.:)):luv:🐹🐹
 
2 piggies is a good place to start, especially 2 girls, while you get used to having piggies again. We started with 2 girls... then added another pair of girls, and a husboar, and another girl, plus we have another pair who live seperately... so 2 girls is good, then you can decide later whether you have the space, time, money and vet care available for more!
 
Hallie said:
I am looking at getting 2 girl guinea pigs. When watching videos online during research an animal specialist said that guinea pigs like it better in groups of 3 or more for their “confidence”. Is this true?

Also thinking if something happened to 1, then 2 would still have each other :-/
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Two is enough. If you have access to a good rescue, like Little Pip's Guinea Pig Rehoming in Sidmouth, you can consider adopting a stably bonded neutered boar and one or two sows combo. Cross gender pairings are the most stable of all.
Boars, sows or mixed pairs; babies or adults?
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

Are Guinea Pigs For Me? - A Guide
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Adopting from one of our recommended rescues is the best way of making sure that you only bring home healthy, guaranteed not pregnant and stably bonded piggies and neatly avoid all the pitfalls that await the unwary. It is well worth the extra distance and effort for peace of mind! As a new owner you will also not be paired up with guinea pigs needing an experienced home.
Since anybody can call themselves a rescue or a breeder without licensing and control, we can only guarantee for the rescue listed, which have been carefully vetted as to the standard to which they operate.
Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues
 
Wiebke said:
Two is enough. If you have access to a good rescue, like Little Pip's Guinea Pig Rehoming in Sidmouth, you can consider adopting a stably bonded neutered boar and one or two sows combo.
Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues
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Thanks for the info! We’re nowhere near any dedicated small animal rescues unfortunately, so we’re looking at our local RSPCA and local pet store that’s been in our village for decades so I feel they’re trusted. I’ll of course ask about their breeders/suppliers.
 
Hallie said:
Thanks for the info! We’re nowhere near any dedicated small animal rescues unfortunately, so we’re looking at our local RSPCA and local pet store that’s been in our village for decades so I feel they’re trusted. I’ll of course ask about their breeders/suppliers.
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The RSPCA (if they run guinea pigs) have mandatory quarantine and pregnancy watch protocols in place; with any private pet shop, you are fully on your own and the risks are all on your side - and irrespective of how long they have been running, the standards can vary enormously. If at all possible, rather look at your RSPCA.

What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)
 
Wiebke said:
The RSPCA (if they run guinea pigs) have mandatory quarantine and pregnancy watch protocols in place; with any private pet shop, you are fully on your own and the risks are all on your side - and irrespective of how long they have been running, the standards can vary enormously. If at all possible, rather look at your RSPCA.

What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)
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If there is an alternative I would but we live nowhere near, we’ve only ever rescues past dogs and rabbits so I’ll be trying RSPCA next weekend, but someone’s got to have the pet shop ones or they end up in rescues anyway!
 
Hallie said:
If there is an alternative I would but we live nowhere near, we’ve only ever rescues past dogs and rabbits so I’ll be trying RSPCA next weekend, but someone’s got to have the pet shop ones or they end up in rescues anyway!
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The overwhelming majority of rescue piggies are no longer wanted/dumped/mis-sexed pet shop or breeder bought ex-children's pets... :(
 
Two will be fine! I've always had pairs of pigs (I would love a group but don't have the space) and they are great.
 
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