One Guinea Pig

[EmilyK.2014]

My husband and I just rescued our first piggie, Remy.
I was researching bonding techniques when I stumbled upon a blog stating that a guinea pig must have a companion. We cannot afford to purchase a larger cage at the moment to accommodate a second pig. We need advice on what to do for him as a single piggie. He is currently only bonding with me. He seems to hate men in general.
When we are home we allow him to have free run of most of our apartment. ( the parts that we can make piggie-safe) I am also planning on either harness training or purchasing an enclosure so we can take him outside.

 

[piggyfan]

Hello Emily. Welcome to the forum.

Please do not use a harness or lead. They are very dangerous for guinea pigs and can damage their delicate spines.

Other then give Remy lots of attention there is not much you can really do for him. How sad he seems to hate men. He may have had a bad experience in his past. It is great he is bonding with you.

 

[biscandmatt]

hi, welcome to the forum.

whilst he is alone, i would just spend lots of time with him. lots of love and attention. maybe starting by sitting with him gently talking to him rather than picking him up alot yet. then when you're able to, you can bond him with a friend. they really do need another really. they thrive so much with another piggy.

please don't use a harness though. they are dangerous.

sounds like he will be a mummy's boy. i hope he can get used to your o/h in time x

 

[EmilyK.2014]

Thanks so much for the tips!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

Great that you are giving Remy a loving home. It would be lovely if you could give him company of his own kind in the long run, but you need to research this well, as not every boar goes with every boar or even every baby. Depending on your location, we may be able to point you towards a good piggy savvy rescue.

Please do not use a leash! Unlike ferrets, guinea pig spines are not as flexible - as far as guinea pigs are concerned, harnesses are just a shop gimmick to make more money from unsuspecting customers without any regard to animal welfare. There have been serious spinal injuries and even deaths when a piggy was panicking and snapped back by the hearness. It would be much better to get him an outdoors run. How big is his current cage? Ideally a single piggy should have a minimum of 2x4 ft, the same as two guinea pigs.

You can find lots of information at the top of our various Care sections, but you may find these here most helpful for the start:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...stincts-and-speak-piggy-body-language.117031/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...or-a-balanced-general-guinea-pig-diet.116460/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/veterinary-fees-some-important-information.91847/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-companionship.37654/