You may wish to consider pairing a baby with an older guinea pig 

(either one that has been surrendered or one of my retired guinea pigs).

 Please enquire and I'm happy to see what I can sort for you!

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Older, tamer guinea pigs

I  sometimes have older, male guinea pigs (and by older I mean over 6 months) available as pets in pairs, or paired up with a baby or adolescent guinea pig as buddy. 

 These make excellent  pets for younger children (2-6yrs)  because 

they are more accustomed to being handled and a bit easier for little hands!

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Finding a Companion for your Guinea Pig

 I am also happy to try and help in finding  suitable company for your lone piggy ( if he or she has lost their companion) 

as quickly as possible and happy to deliver to you to try them together. If the partnership does not work out 

for whatever reason,  of course I will take back and continue to try and match, if you wish.

 

Sows or Boars?

Sows and boars are generally equally friendly towards humans and each other. 

Dominance arises in both females and males,

 but within every pairing of two males or two females, there will always be one who is more dominant.

This is nature's way of ensuring harmony within the herd.

The trick is to not keep more than 2 boars together;  don't let them go into a cage where sows have been previously (without cleaning it out thoroughly) or where sows have grazed on the lawn recently

 Their sense of smell is super sensitive and they will instantly start to compete for a female they cannot see, but who they think must be around because her scent is there!

As far as sows fighting it does happen, but not often.  They tend to face up to each other briefly and maybe chase each other a bit, but they don't actually need anything to provoke them. Some sows are just a bit grumpy and can squirt wee at each other when they are in season! 

 

Inside or Outside?

Guinea pigs can live equally well in the house, in a utility room, in the garage, shed or patio PROVIDED THAT they

are given the appropriate care to thrive in the hottest and coldest temperatures they will endure in those respective environments.

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Should I put my guinea pigs out on the grass in winter?

No!  Guinea pig respiratory systems are very delicate.  In addition their legs are very short so their bodies and airways are close to the ground.  This means that they are suceptible to respiratory infections and these can prove fatal.  It is best to keep them off grass for autumn, winter and early spring to avoid the change in humidity experienced by putting them from dry environment to damp and back again.  

 

Guinea pigs can die of heat stroke in a hot shed or in direct sun!

 

There's no doubt that maximum enjoyment from keeping these little critters is experienced by being able to easily 

pick them up for a cuddle for a few minutes several times a day.  This is easily facilitated by keeping them indoors and for little children, it means they can be enjoyed in the warm, without having to get dressed for outdoors.  The guinea pigs will naturally become more tame and the children will build a closer rapport with them.

However, it's not always possible or desirable to have them indoors, in which case they need to be kept somewhere sheltered from the hottest and coldest weather.  A garage works well, a garden shed can become too hot in summer, so this needs to be considered.  An outdoor cage on the patio can also work, so long as they have plenty of fresh hay every day to keep them warm.  A waterproof cover for the whole hutch will also be needed.  Some people keep them outdoors in summer and indoors from September to April, for example.

 

To neuter or not to neuter?

Guinea pigs are not very good candidates for anaesthetic or surgery.    

In short, the procedure to neuter a boar is invasive, expensive, risky and in addition it won't change their behaviour, it just changes their capacity to reproduce.  It is still necessary to wait at least 2 months after surgery before allowing the

boar with females again.  I would always advise against it and instead, try to find a  young male companion or even 

older males of a more submissive temperament.  

 

 

Support and Advice

I offer lifelong support and advice for all guinea pigs bred or placed by me and will try to find a solution for you

if you find that for whatever reason, you need to consider rehoming them.  Children can and do lose interest sometimes, it's natural, nothing to be ashamed of so please don't feel embarrassed about surrendering them where I can try and rehome them or if your circumstances have simply changed.