Is it important to have 2+ Guinea pigs?

[AfternoonNarwhale101]

I really want to get guinea pigs, but is it important to have 2+? I feel like my parents might say no if I asked for more than one.

 

[HeatherRose]

Yes they are social animals and need at least one friend to live with. Maybe do some research and show your parents what the experts say about keeping at least two piggies.

 

[Veggies Galore]

You will find these threads helpful...
Companionship

New Owners' Most Helpful How-To Guides and Information

 

[Lady Kelly]

It is absolutely necessary to have at least two. If your parents won't let you have two then I wouldn't get any as it wouldn't be fair on the one you did get. Of course you could always work and save your own money to get two pigs with as you will need the same size cage etc just make sure you save some of your salary for vets bills etc

 

[DMS260820]

I agree with the above ☝.

I am probably one of the members who has most recently gone from keeping a lone pig to having two, and when i did, it was like a new burst of life appeared in my original sow pig. She just blossomed into life basicly. The problem with starting out with a solo pig, is that you wont know .It really is a must having two

 

[Flutterby]

Yes, most definitely important for them to have companionship!

 

[VickiA]

The very best thing for a guinea Pig is to live with another guinea pig. If you can only have one because your parents won’t allow 2 then despite how much you want piggies you should really wait until you can have a pair. Lone piggies are lonely piggies despite our best human attempts to look after them. We don’t speak their language. Imagine being the only human in another species and how lonely you would be.

 

[Wiebke]

I really want to get guinea pigs, but is it important to have 2+? I feel like my parents might say no if I asked for more than one.

Hi! Unfortunately, companionship is REALLY important for guinea pigs. Sadly Switzerland is after 15 years still the only country where is forbidden by law to keep and sell group animals as singles.

If your parents do not consent to keeping two guinea pigs, then please research for solitary pet species and wait until you are able to give any social pets what they need. This is for your own sake as well as your pets because you will always have that feeling of having betrayed your beloved pet by withholding the single most important thing in its life.

Even nearly 50 years on, I do feel guilty for not pushing more strongly as a child with my mother and our neighbour to allow me to keep our single and their bereaved boar together as a pair since they did get on really well during lawn time and always ended up squeezed up tightly in the smallest hut because of their desperate need. It has started my interest in social behaviour and trying to see things from the perspective of a guinea pig, not just a from that of a human and their human desires. it was then that I vowed to myself to never deny any pet of mine the right to companionship and enough space. I went about two decades without piggies for the simple reason that I could not give them the life I wanted them to have in a small inner city flat. Anyway, I have made up big time since with building up and running a large group when conditions were finally right... and in all honesty, I appreciate and enjoy my piggies a lot more because I had to wait for having them for so longagain.

Times are thankfully changing, but you can do that only mind by single mind; and it is a rather slow and gradual process. The older generation has sadly very often not made that chance in attitude (especially when not being pet keepers themselves) and that is the reason why so many teenagers run into trouble over that point.

Don't fear, you have the stuff to make a good pet owner and a responsible parent once you can take control over your own life!
In the meantime stick to small pets like solitary hamsters (all other pet rodents and rabbits, including rats, are social group animals), learn about pets and their welfare needs, support rescues (you do not have to be local for that) and save up for a vet fund so you can afford the necessary vet care whenever needed. That is the next big sticking point when you are still a dependent; and it can be a heart-breaking experience that will put a huge strain on the whole family.