New guinea pig AND house?

[x_x]

(I wasnt really sure where to post this so I chose this thread topic.....)
Hey there!
I have a single 1 year old guinea pig named Patches. She is completely happy and healthy. We got her in a pet store in one of those small cages they have there. She has been staying there for quite a while with a open cage system so that she can exit and enter her cage anytime, because I knew her cage was too small. Finally found a cage for her but heres the deal.

Me and my younger sister are going to be going to school everyday and my mom has to go for her job as well. My dad is moving out of station for his job too. I'm worried that Patches will get extremely bored if there is noone with her to play with and if she doesnt have a cage big enough to play in. My parents will agree for a new cage since I have been bugging them for a long time but a new guinea pig will be extremely hard to get. I am not sure what to do. If anyone has any ideas on what I can try to convice them and if a new guinea pig is not possible, what can I do to keep my gp entertained.

(I know that it is said to have ATLEAST 2 guinea pigs, but I know many people that only keep one.)


Thankyou in advance <3

 

[Piggies&buns]

You can provide enrichment in the cage such a large piles of hay to forage in and lots of hides but the reality is a single piggy is a lonely piggy and the best form of enrichment is for them to live with another guinea pig. You may know people who keep singles but being alone doesn’t meet their welfare needs.
The best thing to do is get a bigger cage and then try to find another guinea pig to bond with Patches. In the meantime, the guide below has enrichment ideas

Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

 

[Sweet Potato]

I don't know what to suggest Guinea pigs need to be kept in pairs or more. I would definitely get the bigger cage and give patches lots of tunnels and hay to play with but she will be lonely on her own and no amount of human interaction will change that we can never be as good as a Guinea pig for a Guinea pig.

 

[Freela]

A bigger cage is always better and you can provide some enrichment to encourage your piggie to do more than just sit. Things like tunnels, paper bags of hay, spreading food around to encourage foraging. This is definitely better than a small cage without enrichment, but the absolute best gift you can give your guinea pig is a companion. I know this may not be possible given your parents are calling the shots, but guinea pigs really do thrive with other guinea pigs. They are social animals and would not ever be alone in the wild. With another pig they are much more confident, they express a far greater range of their natural behaviors, they are more active, they encourage each other to be bolder and try new things. Socialization is so important to them that countries like Switzerland won't allow people to keep guinea pigs singly and even my province in Canada now no longer lets people buy pet store pigs single unless you can demonstrate that you have another guinea pig to pair them with. If you're getting a bigger cage for your solo pig, having a second pig in there won't take up any additional room, right? So if there's any way to swing this with your parents, I would encourage it, your pig will thank you for it!

 

[Zorro1]

Hi,
I have a single piggy to, and get worried about his enrichment also. And speaking from experience, the best thing I can do apart from buying another guinea pig for him (which I am unable to do) is spending an hour or two per day with him. I usually sit on the floor while he explores, or let him jump up on my lap.
Here are some links that may possibly help you in keeping your single piggy happy.
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs