Will piggy be lonely?

A responsible and loving owner should be a guinea pig's best friend. But who says your little piggy shouldn't have two best friends? Sometimes, the next best thing to adopting your first guinea pig is adding a second little family member.

Is your buddy lonely?

Before deciding to adopt a second guinea pig, owners should make sure they have the extra time necessary to give both new family members the love that guinea pigs thrive on.

No one should take a guinea pig unless they are willing to give her the time and attention she deserves. They are social creatures and can actually die from being lonely and ignored."

Is a friend really necessary?

Is it really necessary to adopt a friend for your little piggy? While it might seem like common sense to think that any living creature would appreciate a playmate, the answer to this question depends largely on you.

If a person is going to spend enormous amounts of time with their guinea pig, then the pig will not get lonely and it is not necessary to have another one.

On the other hand, if an owner can't find the time to give the family piggy the few hours of attention they need every day, then a second piggy can ease the lonely hours. But remember, stress piggy pros, that guinea pigs need human interaction to be at their happiest, so no additional number of guinea pigs will make up for an absent owner.

A bigger home

A second guinea pig means a bigger home for both little family members. Each piggy needs a minimum of two square feet of cage space, more if it can be afforded. Although some experienced owners say three square feet will work for two guinea pigs, your friends will appreciate the extra space to play around in.

Even though your piggy now will have a housemate to play with, adding a few toys to their larger home is never a bad idea. A few cardboard toilet paper rolls are the easiest and most practical toys you can provide.

With two or more piggies to care for, an owner must understand that the cage cleaning chores have doubled. Please remember to check the bedding and litter areas often and replace them as needed. Likewise, plan for a bigger water bottle and larger food dish. Watch the food and water supply closely for the first few weeks to get a good idea of how often to replenish these vital supplies.

Picking the right friend

Guinea pigs are, for the most part, social animals. They do get lonely and tend to get along better in pairs.

Unless you want a lot more guinea pigs, it's a good idea to pick a pair of the same sex. It should also be noted that two male guinea pigs have been known to bicker with each other when housed together, especially if there happens to be a female in the vicinity. Some piggy owners suggest picking out a pair of piggies that already seem to be friendly with one another during the adoption process.

In fact, if an owner decides to give a home to more than one guinea pig, the best time to decide this is right at the start. It is best to purchase them in pairs, or introduce them to a friend while they are young. It's not unheard of, though, for an older piggy to take kindly to a new, younger friend.

Good luck with your pair of piggies!