introducing a new guinea pig?

[Lisa Rthefgnhethn]

I have one male guinea pig. i know its better for them to live with a cage mate. I have had my guinea pig for about a year now, and he is a little over a year old. i want to get him another pig to run around with. i know that males do have a higher risk of fighting than females. i would get a girl but i do not want baby pigs(plus breeding them can have fatal consiquences). ive thought this over for the past month and i have decided to try getting a new guinea pig. i know to introduce them slowly. im not getting a baby because i dont want him getting hurt if my guinea pig strikes. now, my guinea pig is very calm and docile, so i dont think i should worry about to much other than the occasional nervous tension and chase between the older pig and the new one. my guinea pig is litter trained, so he has free roam around the living room/dining room. he knows his boundries and doesnt go past the carpeted floor. he loves to be held and when i clip his nails he doesnt fuss. he is a very nice pig. im a little nervous about introdcing a new guinea pig still, because i dont know if my guinea pig has a dark side i havent seen... lol... i feed him pellets, hal, leafy greens, and occasional friuts. he even shares food with the dogs(which he also gets along with very well(he even tries to woo the biggest dog ;D). im very expirienced with my piggy care, i just want some opinions, and im always open to advice and care improvements. thank you so much! maybe some tips on handling a new cage mate?

 

[Karli B]

I really think you have it down pact! You seem to know a lot about piggies and I do agree that they should at least have one other piggy playmate! I recently went through this, but my piggy is in a huge C&C cage and does not roam the house. When introducing them you should introduce them in a neutral territory where neither of them have been because the piggy you have now might be territorial over the living room and whatnot! Since he gets along with your dogs, I'd say that's a good sign he should be okay with another piggy. When you introduce them make sure you aren't nervous because you might misread normal guinea pig intros as bad ( I did that) . More likely than not, they should be okay. If they get along then I'd go ahead and put them both together.

Good luck to you!

 

[Monica]

smart smart smart
just make sure you have a 2x4 C&C cage and just add a second level feeding area but the bigger the cage the better. when you introduce them make sure it's in an area where your guinea pig isn't familiar with and make sure there's space to run. have a blanket with you. when they start fighting just put the blanket over them and separate then. do this as many time as you think is you think is right. if you want before leaving them in the same space you can put a fence to separate them so they can just meet each other and look at each other before properly introducing them.
if you get a baby guinea it's actually a lot better, because the older piggy will take the motherly role and take care of him. Also because it's easier for your pig to to be establish that he is the dominant pig. it's very rare for the older males to fight the babies. as soon as the mounting begins you know he's accepted the new family member. so i suggest you do get a baby piggy

 

[Nom Nom]

shove em in a cage and let them deal with whatever they want ;D !!! always works.

 

[Lisa M]

Keep them separate for a week. You don't want the new pig to pass on anything to the old one in case it is sick or has mites! Males don't usually fight, they aren't as bad as rabbits. Introduce them slowly, like play time outside of the cage. When placed in the cage together keep your eye one them. If you hear any teeth chattering (warning), then be very watchful! Males DO mount each other! This is not a problem! I've always have had 2 male per cage and when cleaning they all are in a play pen together! If possible clean the cage.