Many potential guinea pig owners wonder whether they should buy or adopt guinea pigs in pairs.
Yes, you must house together at least two guinea pigs since they are social animals and tend to get depressed or lonely if they are kept alone. In the wild, guinea pigs live together in large herds, so you might want to replicate that in captivity.
However, you must know which pairs of guinea pigs you can safely house together. After all, guinea pigs are known to fight and the wrong pairing might mean a lot of bullying and bickering!
In this guide, we tell you exactly how to keep guinea pigs in pairs.
- Guinea pigs should be kept in pairs so that they can give each other company. They are social animals and tend to get bored or depressed if kept alone.
- However, guinea pigs also have a social hierarchy and tend to fight to establish a pecking order. Usually, these fights last for a short while until the hierarchy is established. That is why it is important to know which pairs of guinea pigs work well.
- In general, the RSPCA recommends keeping one neutered male with one or more females.
- You can also keep two sows (females) and two boars (males) together particularly if they have been raised together from the start.
Also Read: Will Guinea Pigs Kill Each Other?
Can Two Male Guinea Pigs Be in The Same Cage?
Two male guinea pigs or boars could live in the same cage provided you follow some basic rules and introduce them properly. Here are some tips that can help you get two boars to cohabit peacefully in the same hutch:
Introduce Them in a Neutral Space
Have a supervised introduction in a playpen or an enclosure that neither guinea pig has occupied previously. Allow the boars to sniff each other. If one guinea pig chases or attacks the other, separate them instantly.
Give Them Time
When you first introduce guinea pigs of the same sex, there may be some teeth chattering, display of aggression, and chasing. Guinea pigs do this to establish their dominance or pecking order. Give the two some time – most guinea pigs will come around once the hierarchy is established.
Provide Separate Resources
Once your guinea pigs are okay with each other in a neutral space, you may place them in the same cage. However, do ensure that the cage has separate resources like food/water bowls, toys, hammocks, etc. This is important to ensure that there is no fighting over these things later.
Ensure that The Cage is Spacious
It is important that the cage for 2 guinea pigs is at least 10.5 square feet (30” x 50”) or even larger. This is important to prevent stress in guinea pigs and avoid fighting over space.
Also Read: How Big a Cage for Two Guinea Pigs? The Complete Setup
Can 2 Female Guinea Pigs Live Together?
Yes, housing together two sows (female guinea pigs) is recommended and is one of the best pairings as far as guinea pigs are concerned. Female cavies are generally docile and calm. They do not show aggression or bullying as males tend to.
Having said that, you must still make sure to introduce them properly- preferably in a neutral space.
As with male guinea pigs, it is also critical that you provide separate resources like food, toys, and hiding areas for both your girls.
Can You have 3 Female Guinea Pigs Together?
Yes, three female guinea pigs (or sows) will get along well with each other. It is always a good idea to have two or more guinea pigs, as they are social animals. In the wild, guinea pigs live in herds so it makes sense to do the same for captive guinea pigs.
Three sows will get along well provided you have introduced them properly or if they have been raised together from the beginning.
Naturally, your three cavies will need separate bowls, nesting boxes, toys, etc. Failure to provide adequate resources could lead to bickering and fighting over these resources. In most cases though, female guinea pigs are quite docile and tend to get along with each other.
Make sure the cage is of the right size for three cavies. The Humane Society recommends a cage of at least 13 square feet (30” x 62”) for housing three guinea pigs.
Also Read: How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live Alone?