Guinea pigs are funny rodents that will delight their little and adult owners from day to day. They do not bite, like hamsters and rats, and can make a lot of interesting sounds, expressing their dissatisfaction or demanding treats. If you decide to have more than one guinea pig, it is important to make the right animal friends.
Instructions
Step 1
Correct acquaintance of guinea pigs is a guarantee of friendship and absence of injuries. Lovers of these rodents should remember that two males cannot be lodged in one cage. They will constantly fight for territory, create a lot of noise, throw sawdust through the grate. The result of constant conflicts will be injuries and, possibly, the death of a weaker individual. The only male guinea pigs that can get along together are siblings from the same litter who have never been separated. In addition, nearby when no female pigs are supposed to appear.
Step 2
Two females can easily get along in the same cage, if they have enough space. The age of the pigs is usually irrelevant.
Step 3
It is not recommended to settle a male with a female in the same cage. Pigs enter childbearing age within a month and a half after birth and are able to bear offspring with enviable regularity. Even if you do not mind small furry pigs, you should keep the female separately from the male, planting them together only for mating games. Firstly, when the offspring appear, the male will guard his territory, which can end in disaster for newborn pigs. Secondly, immediately after giving birth, the female secretes a special secret that can provoke the male to a new sexual intercourse. Not having time to raise the newly born offspring, the guinea pig becomes pregnant again. Frequent childbirth ahead of time will drain the female and significantly shorten her lifespan.
Step 4
Getting the two guinea pigs right is easy. The first days they should be kept in different cages, which should be placed at some distance from each other. Every day, the cells can be moved a few centimeters, gradually bringing them closer. But all the same, close to the lattice, you should not put pig houses.
Step 5
A joint walk in neutral territory will be an ideal acquaintance for guinea pigs. Release one rodent first, and a few minutes later the second. Be sure to keep a close eye on the pets. If conflicts arise, it is worth intervening and placing the pigs in different cages.
Step 6
Behavior is considered normal for guinea pigs when they get close, sniff each other, make characteristic non-aggressive sounds, fight for a toy, run after each other around the room.
