These animals are great pets for individuals and families with children. It is, however, important to keep in mind that guinea pigs are highly sociable and they should not be kept alone.
Guinea pigs are sociable animals and they should be kept in pairs. If these animals do not have company and they do not get enough attention from you, these pets could suffer from lethargy, poor appetite, weight loss, and changes in the quality of their fur. Guinea pigs should not, however, be kept in one cage with animals of other species, such as hamsters or rabbits.
Can guinea pigs live alone? There are factors to keep in mind.
Guinea Pigs Are Sociable Animals
Unlike hamsters and some other popular pet rodents, guinea pigs are very sociable and they need to live with at least one other guinea pig. These animals live in groups in their natural habitats and it is important to replicate that aspect of their lives for domestic guinea pigs. Other pets might be suitable, too, but should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Guinea pigs as pets do appreciate and need attention from you as the owner. These pets do well with children, too. Human company does not replace the need to interact with at least one other guinea pig.
Guinea pigs need socialization to stay well to such an extent that some countries do not even allow adopting or purchasing only one guinea pig unless the household already hosts at least one of these animals.
Needless to say, being alone is unnatural and isolating for guinea pigs and can lead to health problems and behavioral changes.
Possible Signs Of Loneliness In Guinea Pigs
Like with most animals, the signs of depression or loneliness in guinea pigs can be very non-specific. What complicates the matter is that these signs could point to a number of physical health problems.
If your pet is sad and lonely you might notice some of the following changes:
- Withdrawal, apathy, and lethargy
- Hiding and sleeping a lot
- Change in food and water intake
- Change in voiding
- Weight loss
- Changes in the quality of fur
How Do I Know If My Guinea Pig Is Lonely?
To narrow down the list of the possible causes, consider if anything changed in your guinea pig’s environment prior to the change in behavior or overall health status. Some of the following causes could lead to the same changes in behavior:
- A new brand of pellets or new bedding that is causing intolerance
- Guinea pigs are sensitive to suboptimal temperatures in their environments. If it is too hot or too cold, they could become uncomfortable and have similar signs and symptoms.
- Any new stressor, such as a new pet in the house or noise, could cause the same changes in overall health and behavior
Eliminating potential stressors from your pet’s environment would resolve the issue. Think of anything in the environment or your pet’s diet that could be causing a problem. Make changes accordingly.
If a few weeks go by after making changes and your pet is still struggling, loneliness and lack of socialization could be the problem. The appropriate action is to take a trip to a veterinarian to rule out a variety of organic causes.
If One Guinea Pig Dies
If one of your guinea pigs passes away, ideally you should introduce another guinea pig to your pet, if you intend to continue the cycle and keep welcoming these sweet pets into your home.
Rehoming is a difficult choice for a loving pet owner but it could make the most sense, depending on the circumstances:
- Rescue facilities do their best to help pets stay comfortable in their care and to find new good homes for the animals.
- Some organizations focus on rodents, or you could try to find a new home for your pet directly.
The option of having only one elderly guinea pig may turn out well, if you provide your pet with plenty of attention, depending on what the needs are. An elderly guinea pig may not want to play but will still appreciate treats and being petted.
Is It Okay To Have One Guinea Pig?
There are situations when having one guinea might be okay for some time, such as when one pet passes away. If you are planning to welcome a new pet and you would like it to be a guinea pig, then it is important to provide your pet with a fellow guinea pig companion.
Some prospective owners believe that other small animals, such as hamsters and rabbits, can coexist in the same cage with a guinea pig without a problem. That is far from the truth.
Even rabbits, typically just as docile and sweet as guinea pigs, can accidentally hurt a guinea pig. Hamsters can be outright hostile to even their kind, moreover a guinea pig.
How To Introduce A New Guinea Pig
A new guinea pig will probably spark interest and the desire to “chat” with your pet, as long as the change is gradual and the two pets are introduced methodically.
- Your guinea pig’s habitat is its home, its territory. So, it might be best to let them meet on neutral territory – somewhere where you could you can intervene promptly if needed
- Let the two animals take their time. See if they can eat together, side by side, and if they interact in any way
- If there is no outright hostility, you can let the newbie spend some time in their common cage, first under the supervision
- Eventually, after a day or a week or as long as it takes, see if your old guinea pig lets its new friend eat out of its bowl
- When they seem to interact peacefully, it is probably safe to let them live together, of course with close attention at first.
Unless you provide a home to two unrelated males, your guinea pigs will probably get used to each other and will interact well, sharing their food and toys.
How To Help Your Guinea Pig If Your Pet Might Be Lonely
If you think your pet might be unwell due to loneliness, bringing a companion guinea pig and spending more time with your pet is a good way to start.
You could also do your best to enrich your guinea pig’s environment. A comfortable habitat, with toys and ample space, is a good alternative wat to attempt.
If you can bring a companion guinea pig to your lonely pet, consider gender combinations that might work:
- A male guinea pig will live peacefully with one or several females (but you should have your animals fixed then)
- Two or more females are usually fine.
- Two males are typically not a good combination: they could get territorial and competitive and fight with each other. Brothers who are brought up together could do very well.
The companionship of other guinea pigs in a spacious habitat is the ideal situation. Until that becomes possible, spend as much time with your pet as you can.
To Conclude
Guinea pigs are highly likely to become unhappy if they are alone. If there is nothing in the environment that seems to be causing them distress, isolation is a likely culprit. However, it is best to have a low threshold for taking your pet to a veterinarian to rule out a physical affliction.
