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How many guinea pigs make a home?


In the wild guinea pigs live in groups of 10 or more, they are social creatures, and like company. As pets they are usually kept in pairs; two females (sows) will live happily together, as will two males (boars), particularly if they are brothers. Two boars of different ages will usually live together, as long as there are no females around. If a female and male live together the male should be castrated, otherwise you will end up with many more guinea pigs than you were expecting! When you buy two guinea pigs do check that they have been sexed properly so that you don't end up with any small surprises.


Guinea pigs need to be kept in groups of two or more

If you start with a pair, and are unlucky enough to suffer a bereavement you can usually reintroduce another guinea pig to your single one. If you do just keep a single guinea pig then they can derive company from a soft toy the same size as themselves, or you can give then a mirror, that way they see another guinea pig all day but get to keep all the food for themselves!

If you do buy a male and female, intentionally or otherwise, they will be capable of breeding from 3-4 wks of age. They will need to be kept separate until the male is old enough to be castrated, and the earliest this can be done is at 4 months of age. For more information, visit our pages on introducing guinea pigs for more help and tips.

What about guinea pigs and rabbits?
Although there are exceptions to every rule, and you may know of someone who keeps a rabbit and guinea pig together, this is generally not a good idea. A rabbit can easily hurt a guinea pig with its powerful back legs, even unintentionally, should it stamp its feet and kick the guinea pig by mistake. They also have different dietary requirements, guinea pigs need lots of vitamin C and rabbit food does not contain any. Finally the rabbit can carry a bacterial infection called Bordetella which does not affect the rabbit, but might make the guinea pig very sick if it catches it.

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Comments

Louise, 3 April 2022

Lots of accurate information there, but a solo guinea pig will not thrive, a mirror won't help at all, a soft toy will help slightly. They are social, group animals and need communication with their own kind.


Nicola, 2 December 2021

This article states that guinea pigs usually live in pairs as ‘pets’ but doesn’t mention that most sows enjoy larger herds. Nor does it inform people that the most natural and optimal grouping would be one neutered male with a group of females. I know not everybody is in a position to offer this but the article seems to imply that pairs are best.


Theone, 25 May 2021

Guinea pigs no longer live in the wild, according to expert sources.


Tabitha, 10 August 2018

this website was great thanks


Debbie, 1 February 2013

This website is GREAT!