My mom thinks Guinea Pigs can live alone

eve1234s

eve1234s

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My mom insists that everyone saying Guinea Pigs need to be kept in pairs are lying. Before I was educated on pigs, I had only one female for about four years before getting her a companion. She was an amazing and super friendly guinea pig, so my mom insists that they can and should be kept alone because of that. I now have two Guinea Pigs but one is very sick and I’m scared she might not recover. My mom told me that my Guinea Pig who is well (she’s only about a year old) will have to live alone the rest of her life if her friend passes away because my previous guinea pig did and she was fine. I feel like I’ve tried everything and showed her all of the facts. How can i get it through her head that Guinea Pigs are social animals and need friends?
 
eve1234s said:
My mom insists that everyone saying Guinea Pigs need to be kept in pairs are lying. Before I was educated on pigs, I had only one female for about four years before getting her a companion. She was an amazing and super friendly guinea pig, so my mom insists that they can and should be kept alone because of that. I now have two Guinea Pigs but one is very sick and I’m scared she might not recover. My mom told me that my Guinea Pig who is well (she’s only about a year old) will have to live alone the rest of her life if her friend passes away because my previous guinea pig did and she was fine. I feel like I’ve tried everything and showed her all of the facts. How can i get it through her head that Guinea Pigs are social animals and need friends?
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Your first piggy was fine by default not having any other company and therefore becoming human orientated; guinea pigs can't suicide, they just have to make do with their lot in life, whether that is appropriate for them or not.
By not allowing your girl to live according to her species needs your mother is actually breaking one of the basic five animal freedoms that are now official in the UK, the right to express normal behaviour, which includes company of the own kind for group animals.
Sadly in the UK it is only a declaration without yet any legal weight behind it.
http://www.aspcapro.org/sites/pro/files/aspca_asv_five_freedoms_final_0_0.pdf

Tell her that in Switzerland it is forbidden to sell and keep guinea pigs as singles since 2004 (together with all other group species like rabbits for instance), and that fines for shops, rescues and breeders breaking this rule can be quite hefty. Owners are also breaking the law and can be pursued in severe cases.

I am very sorry that you are yet another minor whose parents have not advanced in their mindset from the last century when there has been a great general change in the acceptance of species needs in pets and more of a shift to seeing things from an animal and not just human-centred perspective. :(

I have just written an article about an in-depth look at single guinea pigs in different situations, possible ways of finding compatible companionship even for the more difficult to match piggies and what extra challenges and responsibilities the keeping of single guinea pigs brings with them when you look at the issue from their species needs. The article is available in the current issue of Guinea Pig Magazine (part 1, issue 48) and in the next coming out in about 10 days (parts 2 and 3, issue 49). The magazine is available in print or as a cheaper download version.
Guinea Pig Mag
 
I'm sorry that your mom isn't seeing your perspective on this. I'm a mom myself... I can vouch that two pigs are about the same in terms of work and costs as one pig (vet care being the exception to that rule.) It is definitely true that guinea pigs are happier with a friend. Perhaps you can ask her why she is opposed to another pig in the future (after all, you are really just maintaining the status quo of two pigs, which she already has) and then trying to address any specific concerns that she may have that you can do something about, by offering to pay for things, to do pig-related chores, etc.
 
My very first pig was a solo pig when I adopted her. Thankfully I only had her by herself for a few days before getting her a friend but as soon as I put Connie (solo pig) with her new friend, Eliza, her personality really came out and I heard her wheek for the first time! Connie had originally lived with a neutered boar but after he died, the previous owners left her by herself and after I'd bonded her with Eliza, it was clear how lonely she was by herself. Guinea pigs definitely need company of their own kind

Perhaps you can show your mum this thread?
 
Solo deteriorated so rapidly and refused to eat after Peanuts passing. (he also had a uri probably brought on by the stress of loosing his friend)
 
You need to get around your Mum (I’m a Grandma so know how these things work). In return for a companion in the future you could offer to do some jobs around the house, wash the car? Keep your room tidy? Vacumn or wash up? You could sign a pledge, so it’s binding, I’m sure then she would then realise just how important your piggies wellbeing is to you x Good luck!
 
I had 2 guinea pigs that lived until about 8/9 years old. When Willow died, I didn’t get Holly a friend because she had cancer (discovered on some previous surgery) - so I wasn’t expecting her to survive much longer (despite her seeming very well in herself at the time). Holly had always been a very squeaky pig - but never squeaked again after Willow died. She never got excited when she saw her vegetables. She just wasn’t the same.

If you saw Holly on her own - she was tame and cuddly. I sat with her on my knee every night after work in an attempt to give her company. Anyone who didn’t know guinea pigs thought Holly was fine; BUT - her behaviour change was so noticible and she no longer behaved as a guinea pig should.

Explain to your Mum that a guinea pig can’t cry or wine like a dog but that doesn’t mean that they are okay. Happiness has to be judged on an animal fulfilling their natural behaviour. Good luck, you sound like a very caring pet owner x
 
I get all 5 out for cuddletime and when I put them back the one that is left on their own for a couple of minutes start to get distressed. They start contact calling and looking around trying to find a piggy friend. Even if my son has is cuddling a piggy close to the distressed piggy it clearly too far.
 
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eve1234s said:
My mom insists that everyone saying Guinea Pigs need to be kept in pairs are lying. Before I was educated on pigs, I had only one female for about four years before getting her a companion. She was an amazing and super friendly guinea pig, so my mom insists that they can and should be kept alone because of that. I now have two Guinea Pigs but one is very sick and I’m scared she might not recover. My mom told me that my Guinea Pig who is well (she’s only about a year old) will have to live alone the rest of her life if her friend passes away because my previous guinea pig did and she was fine. I feel like I’ve tried everything and showed her all of the facts. How can i get it through her head that Guinea Pigs are social animals and need friends?
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I had the same issue a while back. I had my one guinea pig cinnamon alone for about 2 months, I kept asking my mom and begging her to allow me to get another pig, showing her more and more facts about them getting depression. She always said things like “He’s always constantly with you! He loves you and runs up to you.” I then said things like “What about when I'm sleeping or out somewhere? He’s all alone in his cage. Guinea pigs can’t understand or speak English. They can’t comunucate with humans. They can with other piggies though.” I understand how it is to have parents who don’t understand, my mom happens to be really really nice and will give in even if it takes a while. I wish you the best of luck.
 
It can be easy to think that guinea pigs are happy being by themselves which is what your mum is thinking. My first guinea pig was kept by himself in a smaller cage with a little log cabin I built on the inside that had two stories and he seemed content until I got Buttercup about four days later. I was wrong when I thought he was happy. As soon as I put Buttercup in there, Gingy's personality exploded! He started squeeking, popcorned, ran around, leaped, ate a lot more, and was less afraid of me. And now they are really bonded and sleep with each other. It is very unfortunate your mom isn't letting you get another; sadly this isn't uncommon. Perhaps if you assured her you could take care of two (and if your able to, offer to pay for the second pig, I find this also closes the deal) and keep persisting she may understand hopefully. Please also assure her that the work it takes for one guinea pig is pretty much the same for two. Hope all goes well x :)
 
cavylover2002 said:
It can be easy to think that guinea pigs are happy being by themselves which is what your mum is thinking. My first guinea pig was kept by himself in a smaller cage with a little log cabin I built on the inside that had two stories and he seemed content until I got Buttercup about four days later. I was wrong when I thought he was happy. As soon as I put Buttercup in there, Gingy's personality exploded! He started squeeking, popcorned, ran around, leaped, ate a lot more, and was less afraid of me. And now they are really bonded and sleep with each other. It is very unfortunate your mom isn't letting you get another; sadly this isn't uncommon. Perhaps if you assured her you could take care of two (and if your able to, offer to pay for the second pig, I find this also closes the deal) and keep persisting she may understand hopefully. Please also assure her that the work it takes for one guinea pig is pretty much the same for two. Hope all goes well x :)
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I agree with this. I saw the same with Daisy when she was left alone following Isobel's death and prior to finding willow to pair with her. I would look at getting a little job, just something part time or one day at the weekend so that you can contribute to the upkeep and save for any vets bills. That might take some of the concerns away too
 
Edit/
eve1234s said:
My mom insists that everyone saying Guinea Pigs need to be kept in pairs are lying. Before I was educated on pigs, I had only one female for about four years before getting her a companion. She was an amazing and super friendly guinea pig, so my mom insists that they can and should be kept alone because of that. I now have two Guinea Pigs but one is very sick and I’m scared she might not recover. My mom told me that my Guinea Pig who is well (she’s only about a year old) will have to live alone the rest of her life if her friend passes away because my previous guinea pig did and she was fine. I feel like I’ve tried everything and showed her all of the facts. How can i get it through her head that Guinea Pigs are social animals and need friends?
Click to expand...

Edit/update: Thank you for all of your suggestions. I just wanted to clarify that I’m 17 so I do have a job, money is not the issue. I also do all pet related chores and pay for everything (including the hefty vet bills I’m currently paying for one of my poor piggies :-( ). There’s no real reason why my mom won’t let me get another if it really comes to it. Hopefully my little Prim pulls through so that this won’t even be an issue! I just want to show my mom that she’s wrong and get it through her head that Guinea pigs need companions...
 
Lady Kelly said:
I agree with this. I saw the same with Daisy when she was left alone following Isobel's death and prior to finding willow to pair with her. I would look at getting a little job, just something part time or one day at the weekend so that you can contribute to the upkeep and save for any vets bills. That might take some of the concerns away too
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I do have a part time job, so money isn’t a concern. My mom is just stubborn and doesn’t want to see that she’s wrong.
 
Wiebke said:
Your first piggy was fine by default not having any other company and therefore becoming human orientated; guinea pigs can't suicide, they just have to make do with their lot in life, whether that is appropriate for them or not.
By not allowing your girl to live according to her species needs your mother is actually breaking one of the basic five animal freedoms that are now official in the UK, the right to express normal behaviour, which includes company of the own kind for group animals.
Sadly in the UK it is only a declaration without yet any legal weight behind it.
http://www.aspcapro.org/sites/pro/files/aspca_asv_five_freedoms_final_0_0.pdf

Tell her that in Switzerland it is forbidden to sell and keep guinea pigs as singles since 2004 (together with all other group species like rabbits for instance), and that fines for shops, rescues and breeders breaking this rule can be quite hefty. Owners are also breaking the law and can be pursued in severe cases.

I am very sorry that you are yet another minor whose parents have not advanced in their mindset from the last century when there has been a great general change in the acceptance of species needs in pets and more of a shift to seeing things from an animal and not just human-centred perspective. :(

I have just written an article about an in-depth look at single guinea pigs in different situations, possible ways of finding compatible companionship even for the more difficult to match piggies and what extra challenges and responsibilities the keeping of single guinea pigs brings with them when you look at the issue from their species needs. The article is available in the current issue of Guinea Pig Magazine (part 1, issue 48) and in the next coming out in about 10 days (parts 2 and 3, issue 49). The magazine is available in print or as a cheaper download version.
Guinea Pig Mag
Click to expand...

Thank you. I have already told her about the law in Switzerland and she just said that’s too bad because we don’t live there... I live in the US so we’re very behind in terms of small pet care compared to the UK
 
All the best and fingers very firmly crossed for Prim!

I certainly know the difference a companion makes. While most of my own guinea pigs are rescue adoptees of all ages, I occasionally take in bereaved piggies from vouched for owners who want to stay in touch but do not want to or are not allowed to continue with guinea pigs.

It is making a great change in their lives, and in the case of 7 year old Calli who lived past her 9th birthday, it has made all difference as she went from being clingy and increasingly withdrawn/depressed to regaining her zest of life even though it took 10 months as next doors neighbours through the grids before my two peru divas were ready to move in with each other. Both her loving owner and I are convinced that she would have never lives as long without company. Her story has been told in Guinea Pig Magazine issue 45.

PS: You can download current and back issues anywhere in the world, which work on all the normal digital devices.
 
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