Pros and Cons of Having Two Guinea Pigs?

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GuineaGirl_from_the_USA

I have two questions. What are some pros and cons of having two guinea pigs, and what do you think is better? Have one or more than one?
 
The pro that wins over all others is that 99% of all pigs are happier with a friend, and being proper piggie slaves we all love to make our piggies happy :)

The costs are not much higher, except for vet bills, but even those may be helped by the fact that a happy pig has better chances of staying healthy!

For you it will also be double the fun to watch them interact. I can sit in front of my piggies cage for ever, sometimes I find it hard to go to work in the morning because of their antics :))
 
I am all for at least two.

I had 2 and had another in quarantine before I was to introduce them and the one on their own was very subdued compared to the other two. Infact I was so concerned by it I had to get another to keep it company (from the same litter). The change was incredible, really amazed me.

I am a BIG advocate of more than one.

Cons - only money and 2 wont cost more than one, it's when you get into massive numbers that it costs alot more.
 
Yeah, at first my mom didn't want me to get two guinea pigs, and now that we have an extra cage, my mom said we probably can tomorrow.
 
When Smorez used to play with Mr. Bojangles, he used to be so happy.
I miss Bojangles. :(
But anyways, my mom said that we can probably get another one tomorrow. She is still "thinking" about it. Since she doesn't know much about guinea pigs, I think I am going to sign her up.
I just asked her and I am going to try to sign her up using "india_guinea_pig". She loves the name India. I will help her post something when she gets on.
 
Ooh yes, two piggies definatley seem happier together.

Good luck convincing your mum. P.s. I like the name India too :)
 
Yeah, I am pretty sure we are getting the guinea pig. There are three at the pet store right now. What are some names that you all like for guinea pigs?
PS. Sorry if I get off topic a lot...I'm ADHD. We might have to increase my Concerta.
 
I'm rubbish with names I'm afraid :( Our poor Pixel was nameless for about a fortnight! :))

Start making a list of names and words you like ;)

Good luck! x
 
well since your mam likes the name india you could possibly call the new piggy that :) I also agree that the benefits of having more than one pig completely outweigh any of the cons. Silver was alone for aaaages when she was at my boyfriends house and when she came here she was really subdued and just very quiet... so we got Bella, she came straight out of her shell and they have been best buds ever since... the cost doesnt go up by much either, iv only just noticed I'm forking out more on everything now that i have five :) good luck with the new piggy :) x
 
I think it depends on the personality of the guinea pig, most guinea pigs most definitely appreciate the company of another guinea pig but, there definitely those that don't. I have a bonded pair Prince Harry and Sparky and they would be very unhappy on their own and without each other yet my other piggie Thomas is very anti social with other guinea pigs and becomes aggressive at the sight of them. But I would say in the biggest majority of cases another piggie is best
 
Best of luck with a new companion.

I make a short list of names when I know how my piggy is going to look like, but wait with the final choice until I have had them and have got to know them.

Here is a good collection of tips to make the introduction a success:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38562

You and your mum might also like to read up on the relevant thread at the top of the behaviour section about sow/boar behaviour, so you have an idea of what to expect and can interpret of what is going on - especially when it comes to humping!

Sometimes, piggies can be missexed. Here is a good link with lots of pictures of guinea pigs at various ages for you to check and make sure before you put them together: http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm

Please make sure that you have a big enough cage, especially with boars. You can build your own cages fairly cheaply, if you want to have a look in the housing section and the cage gallery.
 
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Good luck with your new piggie! Are there no rescues nearby you instead of going to a pet shop? Or have you fallen in love with one in there already? I am terrible for 'just having a look' and then getting obsessive about one or 2 little guys - even wondering for ages after where they may have ended up!

Mr Bojangles has to be one of the best names I have ever heard! I'm sure you don't need our help in choosing a new name - I look forward to seeing what you call your new family member!
 
Perhaps your mum would like to have an "Indiana Jones"?
 
Well, I got my pigster! I will tell you the story, so sit down and put your listening ears on! :))
So, I went through school, and got in my mom's car to go to the Pet Supermarket. All day through school, I was waiting, so school went by pretty slow today. Once we reached the Pet Supermarket, I picked up a caramel and white colored guinea pig that didn't even run! That's a first for their guinea pigs! And so, I held him, and he seemed to curl up on me, so I decided that he was the one I wanted. But I figured I should hold all of them. The other ones were nervous and hard to catch. So, did I mention who was right on the other side of the guinea pig cages the whole time? Sean! (He works there. He's amazing.) I asked him to name my guinea pig for me. He said no, because he is not good with names, so I asked him again, and he said that he only can come up with "C" names. I ended up naming my guinea Caramel Cream. CC for short. He mind controlled me into naming it something with a C. He has that power on me. It's weird. Haha. But yeah, CC loves bags, getting under blankets, and chewing on hair, which I don't let him do because I don't know how it will effect his digestive system. (:
 
Thanks! (:
My friend who lost Mr. Bojangles saw him and she loves him to death! Maybe it will help her get over Bojangles.
 
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