In the wild, guinea pigs live in herds of up to ten members. Despite being domesticated, they have kept a lot of the same behaviors and needs. This includes things like sleeping habits and social needs. Guinea pigs continue to be highly social animals that experience a lot of positive health benefits from being kept in a herd, but that may not always be realistic for a pet owner. So, is it possible to have one guinea pig? Will a guinea pig left alone get lonely? Read on to find out.
Can My Guinea Pig Live Alone?
The technical answer is yes. Guinea pigs can be kept alone; however, even if you’re committed to spending a lot of time with your piggie, there is a good chance their social needs won’t be met by being kept in solitude. In fact, in Switzerland, it’s illegal to keep only one guinea pig, and in many countries, you cannot adopt a single guinea pig (unless you already have one at home).
These rules and laws around keeping guinea pigs say a lot about their need for companionship and the likelihood of experiencing negative health effects when kept alone. Okay, we get that two piggies are better than one, but are there any exceptions to this?
Special Circumstances
While it’s not common, there are times when a guinea pig may be content living alone. In most cases, this is after the loss of a long-term cagemate, old age, and/or health issues. However, it’s extremely important to monitor their health and behaviour when kept alone, as things can change quickly. If your guinea pig is alone, whether this is long-term or while a cagemate is getting treatment at the vet, it’s important to spend extra time socializing with your pig.
If your guinea pig is kept alone after the loss of a cage mate, it can be helpful to change up their routine and space so they have plenty of new things to distract them from their missing friend. This means changing the layout of their cage, switching up when they have floor time, cuddle time, etc. This will provide some much-needed stimulation during the grieving process.
While there are some cases where a guinea pig may be fine alone, even those who enjoy their own cage space will benefit from having another guinea pig nearby, even if that’s in a separate cage.
Signs of Guinea Pig Loneliness
Just like lots of other pets can get lonely—even cats! Guinea pigs can experience loneliness and even grief. As naturally social creatures, being without a cage mage (or herd) can be incredibly hard, and this is particularly obvious after the loss of a cage mate. When a guinea pig loses a long-time companion, the shift in their behavior can be quite significant and show us just how much they benefited from having a friend or two nearby.
If you’re keeping a guinea pig alone, it’s essential that you monitor their health and behaviors.
Some signs of loneliness in your guinea pig include:
- Nervousness or being more skittish than usual
- Lack of interest in activities—often isolating in a hidey
- Lethargy
- Not eating or lack of appetite
- Behavioral issues like chewing on the bars of the cage, constant squeaking for attention, and barbering.
If you notice any of these issues, especially lethargy and lack of appetite, make sure to take your guinea pig to the vet immediately. While the long-term solution may be to get your piggie a new friend, the immediate effects of not eating and low energy can be dangerous and should be monitored by a vet.
How Many Guinea Pigs Should I Have?
In the wild, guinea pigs are often found in herds of 5–10, with several herds living in close proximity to each other. Just like in the wild, domesticated guinea pigs require companionship. While they may not need to live in large herds like their wild ancestors, keeping guinea pigs in pairs (and larger herds if you have the space) provides lots of health and behavioural benefits.
Guinea pigs have high social needs and will often be found grooming, cuddling, and playing with each other when kept in pairs or groups. These behaviours can help manage stress and benefit their health. So if you’re wondering how many guinea pigs you should get, the answer is that it depends, but plan for at least two.
How Do I Know My Guinea Pigs Will Like Each Other?
There are a few ways to test whether your guinea pigs will like each other. First, if you’re adopting guinea pigs, you will often find them available in already-bonded pairs. While this doesn’t ensure they will get along in a new environment, the odds of them fighting or becoming hostile towards each other are much lower.
Second, if you’re introducing two guinea pigs that have not yet bonded, you may need to do some matchmaking. This includes setting up meetings where the two guinea pigs can be introduced in a neutral and open area. Be prepared to break up a fight, if necessary, with blankets. The neutral, open space allows little distraction for your piggies to explore and test their compatibility. You may need to go through the introduction a few times to ensure the right fit.
When housing two or more guinea pigs, you must have the right amount of space per pig. The more guinea pigs you own, the more space is required in their cages. When guinea pigs aren’t given enough space, they are more prone to fighting and disagreements and will often avoid things like playing or exercising. As always, monitor behaviors; look for aggressive signs like teeth chattering or nipping, and separate your guinea pigs if needed. Your vet can help you determine if you need to separate your pair or if re-introduction may be enough.
Conclusion
Overall, guinea pigs should be kept in pairs or herds. While guinea pigs can technically be housed alone, you run the risk of loneliness, which can impact their quality of life and contribute to health issues. If you have to keep a guinea pig alone, be sure to spend lots of time with them and watch for signs of distress.
