Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Role of the Animal's Sex
• Method 2 of 3: Introducing Guinea Pigs
• Method 3 of 3: When to Intervene
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Guinea pigs love companionship. In the wild, they live in a herd. Most domestic guinea pigs are committed to the company of other animals, so if you decide to adopt another guinea pig, your pet will love it. However, guinea pigs defend their territory, so it is important to do everything gradually. Think about precautions and follow certain rules and your guinea pigs can befriend.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Role of the Animal's Sex

1. 1 Determine the sex of your guinea pig. Gender plays a big role in how the pigs interact with each other. Before introducing them, you need to determine their gender. Even pet store employees make mistakes with the gender, so if you decide to buy a pet from the store, the risk of making a mistake will be great.
   • The pig should be examined on the floor or on a low table. This way she won't get hurt if she tries to run away and falls. Gently but firmly hold the pig in your arms under your chest and shoulders. Spread your hind legs and examine the genitals.
   • In males, the distance from the genitals to the anus is greater than in females.
   • The male's genitals are like a circle with a dot in the middle, while the female's are like a Y.
   • The male's genital area will protrude above the surface, while in females it will be flat.
2. 2 Know which pigs are best to live with each other. There are options that are considered preferable.
   • Two little guinea pigs of the same sex will get along well. They will grow up together, and it will be easier for them to get used to each other.
   • If you already have a guinea pig, buy a cub of the same sex. An adult pig will not feel threatened by the baby and will not worry about its primacy.
   • Males are best castrated before meeting females. Never put two males and a female in the same cage, even if the males are neutered. They will fight for the female's attention.
   • Adult females get along better with each other than males.
3. 3 Change the cage if you want to house two males together. Males defend their territory, so if you want to have two males, you need to take precautions.
   • Two males can live together, but it is better for them to live in groups of 3-4 pigs.
   • It is very important to buy a spacious cage. Each guinea pig should have its own place to eat, shelter, sleep.
4. 4 If you already have two males and would like to have a third pig, it is advisable that this is also a male.

Method 2 of 3: Introducing Guinea Pigs

1. 1 Quarantine the new guinea pig. Keep it separate from others for the first 2-3 weeks. Do not allow animals to contact before this time has elapsed.
   • If you immediately put a new guinea pig in a cage with other pets, it will experience stress and it will be difficult for her to get used to the new environment.
   • In addition, many guinea pigs carry diseases in pet stores, and these diseases can have a long incubation period. Make sure the new pig is healthy before placing two gilts together.
   • Place the pigs in different cages next to each other. Arrange the cages so that the guinea pigs cannot see each other but can smell and hear movements.
2. 2 Introduce the pigs in neutral territory. When the quarantine time has passed, start introducing the pigs, but it is better not to put the new pig in the cage with the old one, but to do it in neutral territory so that none of the animals feels the need to defend the territory.
   • Find a place where none of the pigs have been before. This should be a closed and quiet space where both pigs feel safe. Bathroom floors are best.
   • Place vegetables, treats, and hay in the center of the room to distract the pigs from the fight when they see each other. Guinea pigs usually do not protect food, but if you notice that they are fighting over it, remove the food.
   • Prepare old towels in case the pigs start showing physical aggression. You can use towels to separate them and not get hurt yourself.
   • Arrange this meeting 3-4 times. If all goes well (that is, if the pigs are not hostile to each other), you can put them in a cage.
3. 3 Take precautions before you crate your gilts together. There are ways to make it easier for gilts to get used to each other.
   • Replace the cage. The pigs defend their territory, so you need a spacious cage. As a rule, for two animals it is recommended to use a cage of 0.7 - 1 m², but it is better if it is even larger. For three gilts, purchase a cage of at least 1.2 m².
   • Lavender oil and shampoo can make each other easier to get used to, as these substances mask the natural odor of the pigs, making them friendlier to each other. You can bathe your guinea pigs in lavender shampoo or touch your finger soaked in lavender oil to the guinea's noses.
   • Rearrange the cage and wash it for a more neutral scent that makes it new to both gilts.
   • Gently rub the hay from the old cage on the new guinea pig so that it smells like everyone else.

Method 3 of 3: When to Intervene

1. 1 Learn to recognize the signs of aggression in behavior. It will be difficult for the pigs in the first few weeks, so conflicts are possible during this time. Know how guinea pigs are aggressive to intervene in time.
   • If one pig tries to climb on top of another or jump over it, and the other doesn't like it, a conflict may arise. Watch for this behavior, but only intervene if a fight breaks out.
   • In the first weeks, the pigs will squeak, chase each other and grit their teeth. They may also bite each other lightly if they are unhappy about something, as this allows them to set their boundaries. Only intervene if the guinea pigs bite until they bleed.
   • If one guinea pig is constantly grinding its teeth, it is a sign of aggression that can have serious consequences. If you notice this, move your guinea pigs.
   • If the pig's fur stands on end, especially in the neck area, and it stomps its paws in place, this indicates that it is preparing for a fight. Divide the gilts.
2. 2 If the pigs are chasing each other, pushing and climbing each other, this is normal. If it doesn't come to bloodshed, don't separate them.
3. 3 Learn to understand when your guinea pigs are behaving normally. Not all movement means aggression. There are some actions that are considered normal, especially at the very beginning, and you must be able to recognize them so as not to interfere again.
   • If the guinea pigs sniff each other from behind and nudge each other lightly, they say hello. This is normal behavior and is not dangerous in any way. The pig may mark territory by riding on the ground with the back of its body, or try to lift its head up to demonstrate its superiority. All this is normal in the first weeks.
   • Sometimes guinea pigs walk past each other, swinging their sides and fluffing their fur, and make a rumbling sound at the same time.This is how they try to dominate, and if after that they do not show aggression, this can be considered normal behavior.
4. 4 Stop fights if necessary. If someone gets scratched or bitten to blood in a fight, you will need to intervene. Know how to protect yourself and your pets from injury.
   • Act quickly. Guinea pigs have sharp teeth that can harm each other. If you notice violent behavior and fighting, immediately move the guinea pigs apart. If left alone, guinea pigs can injure each other.
   • Do not use your bare hands to separate the pigs. An irritated mumps can cause harm that requires medical attention and you. Cover the animal with an old towel or clean rag, or separate the pigs with heavy gloves.
   • Keep your pigs apart after a fight. Place the pigs in different cages and keep them in different rooms so they don't see each other. Only take them with a towel or gloves for a few hours after the fight, as during this time they may not yet completely calm down.
   • Gradually introduce the pigs to each other again in neutral territory. Distract them with food and treats. Wait a few hours or a few days - it will all depend on how serious the fight was. Wear gloves in case the fight reoccurs.
5. 5 Don't be discouraged if the pigs don't find a common language. Some guinea pigs fail to get along with each other, even if done correctly. Get ready for this. There is always a risk.
   • Do not think that this is your fault. Some pigs behave more independently and aggressively and find it more difficult to find a companion. Even if you do it right, they may still not fit each other.
   • If at the first meeting the pigs fight, you can start all over again, including quarantine. This will give the pigs an opportunity to calm down and forget about hostility.
   • If you can't make friends with your pets, you can keep them in separate cages so that they can see, hear and smell each other, but not touch each other. This way they will be able to communicate without harming each other.

Tips

• Castrate males, as this will blunt the instinct to defend your territory. It is more difficult to sterilize females, so it is better to neuter the male.
• Pigs get used to each other better at a young age. Try a toddler guinea pig of the same sex as your adult pig.
• Better to raise two pigs together from childhood. This way you can avoid possible incompatibilities.

Warnings

• Guinea pigs are small but strong. If your pig is angry, handle it carefully so it doesn't hurt you.
• Guinea pigs can become very aggressive and may bite other pigs in a fight. If you notice that someone is behaving aggressively, intervene.
• Never add an uncastrated male to a female. Guinea pigs breed very quickly.

What do you need

• Two cells
• Food
• Treats
• Vegetables
• Old towels or rags
• Heavy Gloves
• Lavender oil or shampoo