Search
We will earn a commission on purchases through the links mentioned here. This in no way affects our recommendations and they are based on research. Read more
The decision to purchase a guinea pig has been made for you; however, you are unsure of whether you should purchase one, a pair, or more. Pet shops frequently stock solitary Guinea pigs, and they are more than happy to sell you a pet on its own, but is it possible to keep such an animal in good health?If you go to a breeder or a rescue, they will encourage you to take home at least two of their puppies, if not more.So you’re probably wondering whether you should get one guinea pig or a whole bunch of them. And, if you are fortunate enough to be given a guinea pig for whatever reason, will you be able to keep it happy? Can Guinea Pigs Live Alone?  Let’s find out the truth about this.

It is acceptable to have a single guinea pig, but it is preferable to have a pair or more. If left alone, guinea pigs may exhibit abnormal behavior. If you have the time to devote to your guinea pig, interact with them, and play with them, you should be able to get by with just one guinea pig in your household. Otherwise, it’s best to invest in a pair or more.

Although you should keep in mind that it may vary depending on the personality of the guinea pig that you own and keep.

Male vs. female Guinea pigs: Which is better? Recommended article:

Many people will now have a different point of view on the subject. While some would argue that having a single guinea pig is cruel, others would argue that they had one for years and that everything turned out fine. What should you do in this situation?

 

Please note: Guinea Pig Name is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by our readers with no extra cost added to you all! Some links in the post are affiliate link and I get commission from purchases made through links in the post.

Is it possible to have only one guinea pig?

According to my observations, the personality and temperament of the guinea pig are completely dependent on the situation.

While some guinea pigs prefer to be alone while others require companionship, I would recommend that you keep more than one guinea pig in your home.

Due to the fact that you will not be able to devote sufficient time and energy to your pet, your guinea pig may become lonely.

Do guinea pigs experience feelings of loneliness?

Yes, guinea pigs can experience loneliness from time to time. They are highly social animals who do best when kept in groups of three to five or even more. Having a single guinea pig is acceptable, but it is not always the best choice.

In the case of a boar or even a sow who has been living alone for some time and does not enjoy having a cage mate, it is possible that they will be content living alone if you provide them with all of their essential needs, which include daily interaction and provision of food, water, and toys.

Some guinea pigs are naturally aggressive and will not get along with their cage mates; in such cases, we may have to separate them from the rest of the group.

More information on guinea pig dominance behavior can be found in our article on the subject.

Although, in the majority of cases, guinea pigs do best when kept in groups.

If you happen to have sows, you must keep them together in a pair or in a larger group to prevent them from becoming separated.

Signs that your guinea pig is depressed

Guinea pigs are highly social animals, and if they are left alone for an extended period of time, they may become depressed.

Despite the fact that some guinea pigs enjoy living alone, others do not.

For those of you who are fortunate enough to have only one guinea pig, keep an eye out for the following signs of loneliness in your pet:

  • Appetite sluggishness
  • Lethargic, spending all of his time hiding in his hideouts.
  • Getting a lot of sleep
  • Biting the bars of the cage
  • Attempting to break free from the cage
  • Developing a more aggressive personality

As soon as you notice any indications that your guinea pig is lonely, it is critical that you bring him or her to the rescue and find him or her the perfect companion.

Is My Guinea Pig Suffering From Depression?

Do you know how to make a single Guinea Pig happy?

If you are thinking about getting a single guinea pig or already have one, I recommend that you continue reading so that you can better understand their needs and keep them happy even if they are kept alone.

Check out these other articles: 16 Proven Ways to Keep Your Guinea Pigs Happy

Although keeping guinea pigs in a pair or a group is the most effective method of keeping them happy.

However, this is not always possible for everyone. Several guinea pigs have been reported to be aggressive to the point where they don’t get along with others at all.

How to Make Your Guinea Pigs Feel Comfortable

Consequently, today I’ll share some pointers on how to maintain the well-being of a single guinea pig if you happen to have one.

Top-Rated Guinea Pig Supplies: Our Top Picks! Recommended Guinea Pig Supplies: Our Top Picks!

Before you read on, here are some supplies for your guinea pigs that have been hand-picked by our experts and that you should add to your wishlist right away:

Creating a Healthy Living Environment

When it comes to keeping a single guinea pig happy, the most basic requirement is a functional living space.

Because they are a caged animal, they will spend a significant amount of time in their cage, so providing them with a large enough enclosure in which to eat, play, and hide is critical.

Aside from the bare necessities of food and water, the cage should be filled with a variety of toys, hiding places, and other amusements.

A solitary guinea pig requires a great deal of stimulation because they must spend a significant amount of time alone in their enclosure.

Having a large number of toys ensures that they will not become bored while in there.

Guinea pigs benefit greatly from chew toys, which provide excellent mental stimulation. Not only do these provide hours of entertainment for the guinea pigs, but they are also beneficial to their dental health.

Natural toys, such as this amazing hay and twig toy made specifically for guinea pigs, are an excellent choice. Aside from that, some inexpensive and commercial toys, such as this Kaytee chew, are also available on chewy.com for purchase.

There were no products found.

Natural apple twigs are excellent for chewing and are also safe for our guinea pigs to chew on as well. Alternatively, you can purchase chew toys from a store that sells them.

Another important aspect of your guinea pig’s cage that you should consider is hiding places. Good hiding places not only help to keep the Guinea Pig stimulated, but they also help to give the Guinea Pig a sense of security in their enclosure.

Take a look at this incredible hay box for your guinea pigs. I’m sure they’ll fall head over heels in love with them.

Due to their prey animal status, guinea pigs prefer to burrow or hide in something when they are feeling threatened. As a result, having some good hiding places is essential for them.

As an alternative to these, there are numerous options available that you can incorporate into your guinea pig’s cage. Tunnels, hammocks, a fleece forest, and wooden toys are all excellent additions to the list of possibilities.

There were no products found.

Please Keep in Mind:

You should also avoid handing them over all of the toys at the same time.

Provide them with 2-3 toys and rotate them every few weeks to keep things interesting and to keep them occupied and entertained.

Having the same toy for an extended period of time can cause them to become disinterested in it fairly quickly.

However, you must ensure that whatever you decide to place in their cage is completely safe for them.

Having a Conversation With Your Guinea Pigs

Conversations with your guinea pig are also an important aspect of the process that you should take into consideration.

Guinea pigs are highly social animals who yearn for human interaction on a daily basis.

Even if you are unable to understand what your guinea pig is saying, we can certainly learn to decipher their sounds and body language in order to understand them more effectively.

This is something that most guinea pig owners overlook, but it is extremely important if you only have a single guinea pig to care for and maintain.

Understanding the different sounds made by guinea pigs is a recommended article.

The cage should be placed in an area where they can see you if the guinea pig is solitary and needs company. Recall that they are sociable animals, and that you have now become their companion, so be sure to speak to or pet the guinea pig whenever you see him.

Pippa Elliott is a licensed veterinarian who practices in the United Kingdom.

It is also critical to locate the cage in the area of the house where you spend the majority of your time.

Your guinea pig will be able to interact with you and hear your voice all of the time in this manner, which will keep them active and entertained.

Calling out their names over and over will help them understand what you’re talking about and respond appropriately.

When you’re talking to your guinea pigs, you should use positive reinforcement to get their attention.

If they respond positively to your discussions, you should provide them with some positive reinforcement in the form of treats.

A small slice of fruit, such as berries, grapes, carrots, or other similar items, would be a great place to start. Additionally, you can indulge in these delectable fruit blend treats that are both healthy and nutritious at the same time.

Even having a one-sided conversation with your guinea pig can be beneficial to them because they become more relaxed when they hear your voice.

Songwriting, talking about any event that is taking place in your life, or just having some random conversations with them are all acceptable options.

Whatever you do, make sure to set aside some time each day to spend with your guinea pigs and interact with them.

Providing Them With A Significant Amount Of Floor Time

It is critical to provide your guinea pigs with a lot of time on the floor.

Guinea pigs kept in a cage for an extended period of time can become bored and stressed, especially if they do not have any cage mates.

It is critical to allow them to spend some time outside of their cage in a room that has been made guinea pig proof.

Exiting the cage contributes to a change in the environment, which in turn helps to restore their mood and well-being.

All you have to do now is make sure the room is guinea pig proof by providing some familiar hiding places, ensuring there are no open circuits or wires to chew on, and ensuring there is no way out of the room.

In the event that your guinea pigs manage to get out of the room, they may become infamous and hide all over your house.

The interaction with your guinea pigs when they are not in their cage will make them happy and healthy. They are also naturally curious about the world around them and will enjoy exploring your room.

You can sit with them and talk to them, as well as play with them, to help them feel comfortable in their new environment.

Your guinea pigs should have at least 2 hours of floor time per day, if not more. Having the ability to divide the time into two halves or even four segments throughout the day is preferable.

It is possible that this will not be possible for everyone, and in that case, cutting it in half works perfectly well.

If you happen to live with family or other roommates, you can also enlist their assistance in interacting with your guinea pigs while you are absent.

There were no products found.

This also turns out to be a fantastic idea. Just make sure the person isn’t a stranger, as your guinea pig may become terrified if the person is unfamiliar.

Is it acceptable to have only one guinea pig?

No, I would not recommend that you purchase a single guinea pig.

If, on the other hand, you come across an aggressive or solitary guinea pig in a pet store or a rescue, you should feel free to take them home with you.

Always remember that sows prefer to be in a group setting, whereas boars prefer a more solitary environment.

Although social interaction is important for both of them, having a cagemate or several cagemates would be beneficial in the long run.

Also, make sure that you only get a single guinea pig if you have more than half a day to devote to caring for the pig.

This will ensure that they receive sufficient socialization and interaction and that they remain happy.

Personally, we were very pleased with the product.

They have a huge variety of customized products in your choice of color and pattern at Kelliscraftsandmore, which is a fantastic store. The fleece bed cuddle cup for guinea pigs has proven to be extremely comfortable for them to relax and sleep in. It can be used as a hiding place by turning it upside down.

The guinea pig tepee is so comfortable that when the guinea pigs see it, they immediately begin popcorning in excitement. It helps my guinea pigs to relax by doing it in and out every few minutes. A wide variety of beds for our furry companions can be found at smallanimalcreation stores.

Gift Basket with Natural Chews In addition, it makes an excellent chew toy for Guinea pigs. This basket contains a variety of textures and chews that are perfect for determining your pet’s preferences. Other entertaining toys and accessories can be found in the WinniGuineaPoo store.

There are many different tunnels, beds, and pillows available at the CuteCritterShop store. For your little best friend, the Reversible Fleece Tunnel for Guinea Pig is a super comfy and cushiony tunnel that he can either run through or sleep in.

Guinea pigs are always enthralled by Guinea Pig Treat Bundles, and they enjoy having them around. All of the treats are organic and completely safe for cavies to eat. The PandamoniumPets provided a wide range of Safe Handmade Pet products to customers.

Reference: Wikihow, Omlet