Duo's, trio's and more !
This section covers.
-Male groups
-Female groups.
-Mixed sex groups.
-Male groups
-Female groups.
-Mixed sex groups.
There are lots of different shops, that offer different advice on how to best house a guinea pig and how many friends that guinea pig should have, here's the real facts about guinea pigs !
Guinea pigs are social creatures and need to be kept in pairs or more to prevent depression. Group sizing's vary between sex's. This section of the website, hopes to explain more about the housing arrangements of both male and female guinea pigs.
Male Guinea pigs.
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/5/3/1653375/6031266.jpg)
Male guinea pigs, there are many myths and difference of opinions about this gender of piggy. But the best way to keep male guinea pigs is in no more than a pair.
Trio's of male guinea pigs will RARELY work, and almost always result in fighting, this fighting can sometimes end up with three single piggies who refuse to go together. Although a duo of piggies will occasionally fight and may eventually fall out, it is the safest option of housing. Having two food bowls, water bottles etc. can often help reduce this fighting as they can have there own things.
Male guinea pigs can be bonded at any age although with more dominant piggies it is often best to bond them with a younger piggy as they are more likely to adopt a fathering role with a younger pig.
Some guinea pigs can be quite fussy with who they want to live with etc. and so if at first you don't succeed it is always best to try again for the sake of your piggies !
Trio's of male guinea pigs will RARELY work, and almost always result in fighting, this fighting can sometimes end up with three single piggies who refuse to go together. Although a duo of piggies will occasionally fight and may eventually fall out, it is the safest option of housing. Having two food bowls, water bottles etc. can often help reduce this fighting as they can have there own things.
Male guinea pigs can be bonded at any age although with more dominant piggies it is often best to bond them with a younger piggy as they are more likely to adopt a fathering role with a younger pig.
Some guinea pigs can be quite fussy with who they want to live with etc. and so if at first you don't succeed it is always best to try again for the sake of your piggies !
Female Piggies
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/5/3/1653375/995695618.jpg)
Female guinea pigs can be kept in any size of groups, from 2 to beyond, providing the housing is suitable for that number of piggies of course.
Although it isn't always that easy, not all guinea pigs will accept another guinea pig into the group when they are bonded. There is always one more dominant piggy in the group and she can sometimes be a little bossy and un inviting to new piggies.
It is often advised that large groups of piggies are kept in even numbers, this is to prevent one piggy being left out which can often happen in groups of three. Also when bonding piggies it can often be less daunting and stressful for the new piggy if they come with a previous companion to help them feel safer.
Although it isn't always that easy, not all guinea pigs will accept another guinea pig into the group when they are bonded. There is always one more dominant piggy in the group and she can sometimes be a little bossy and un inviting to new piggies.
It is often advised that large groups of piggies are kept in even numbers, this is to prevent one piggy being left out which can often happen in groups of three. Also when bonding piggies it can often be less daunting and stressful for the new piggy if they come with a previous companion to help them feel safer.
Mixed Sex Groups.
There should never be more than one neutered male with any number group of females, Males will often fight over female guinea pigs especially when the females are in season. By keeping one neutered male within the group of females you will allow him to be a dominant male and look after his girls as such. Although the male may be neutered, you may still see some humping from him, but this is all dominant behaviour and nothing to cause concern.