Common Mistakes People Make With Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are simple easy to care for pets just like gold fish and hermit crabs, right? Wrong! Well, no, not exactly. Guinea pigs can be really easy to care for if you have the information to make the right choices. For example, if you are looking for an easy to care for pet,  make sure you get one with short smooth hair. Longer haired guinea pigs need more grooming and their fur is prone to tangles. A pet should be a joy, not something you resent and if you end up having to spend time and money solving problems you didn't expect, having a guinea pig is just not going to be a fun experience.

Common Mistake #1: Buying only one guinea pig because you think it will be cheaper and less work overall.

Guinea pigs are very social animals and they are actually happier with at least one other friend to keep them company. This results in less work for you in two ways - one, your pet is never lonely and so he and she will not cry for attention making you feel guilty and two - the happier your guinea pig is, the better her health. Its true! And the healthier your furry friend, the less time and money you spend at the vet. Many rescue organizations will even give you two guinea pigs at a deep discount, so you really aren't spending that much more.

Common Mistake #2: Thinking there is no difference between males and females.

In general males have more energy to burn so they are more active. Females tend to be more docile and less active. If you are looking for a guinea pig for a young child, consider getting a female as she will be the most agreeable.

Common Mistake #3: Believing that two guinea pigs cannot live together because they fight when introduced OR that two females will always get along together and two males never will.

Male guinea pigs will not "fight to the death" if placed in a cage together. Instead what they are doing is determining dominance. Make sure each guinea pig has a separate hiding spot and that the cage is the proper size (10.5 square feet) and this will reduce territorial fights. However, never place a female guinea pig in the same cage with two males. This will guarantee the two males will fight over the female. Whoever ends up being the loser in the fight will be injured most likely and then forever kept for the shared food and water by the dominant male. Two females with get along quite well in the same cage unless there is a basic personality conflict. The best combination is a male and a female, although one must be neutered unless you want more little guinea pigs.

Note: How to Properly Introduce Two Guinea Pigs

Keep each guinea pig in his or her cage and move them to an area neither one has been to before. Allow the guinea pigs to observe each other and spend time next to each other until neither one appears hostile towards the other. Only then should you allow each out of their cage. This can take multiple sessions. Initially expect a certain amount of fighting and be prepared to separate if necessary.