guinea pigs- ok to keep one alone or should i get him a friend?

[flipflopper]

One of our guinea pigs died at the weekend. The one that's left doesnt seem to be eating much, he has been out and is nibbling on grass,but hes not eating as much as normal, i'm wondering if he's missing his friend??

I dont mind having another one, i think they're lovely, and the kids really want another too, but i dont know much about introducing a new one, what if they fight!

one of ours died last month and needed extra cuddles as they do grieve

each morning i brace myself for the shout if dd finds her sister piggie the same way

they are such lovely animals, very sad when they die

Please please both of you get your piggie a friend they are herd animals and your piggies will be lonely - you will not be enough for them please look at this.

www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/rodents/guineapigs/company;jsessionid=2RrKN1cCj4Lfl5cpzr3DP2QXQpVpWNGQdYlGn5pbWynBkvGBNndK!1584099321!1299537058420

Get a rescue pig the gp rescue places will help you and there are so many piggies that would love to go to a lovely home - if you are near Kent I would recommend April Lodge

There's a rescue centre in Nottingham called Avalon that will pair a lone piggie with a friend.

I am going to get another, I'm having a bit of trouble getting one, ive rung blue cross and RSPCA and neither local branch keeps guineas, and i dont really want to go to a pet shop, id rather get a rescue one.
Im in Yorkshire.

Try this site. It has a list of guinea pig rescues by area. Not all of the links work properly but it will at least give you some local ones to ring round.

Am sorry about your piggy btw

If you are introducing another guinea to one you already have it is better to get a much younger one, if you have two older guineas they are both set in their ways and therefore are more likely to get into scraps with each other, whereas the older guinea is more likely to take to a younger one as a parent figure IYSWIM.

When you introduce them, try and make it on nuetral territory (i.e. not the hutch) so kitchen floor or run in the garden, it will become pretty apparent within half hour whether they will get on with each other, if it's all looking good, place some hay/shavings from the new one's box (which shop/rescue centre should put in) in the hutch so that when they both go back the hutch has both their smells on it.

I have introduced boy guineas to others numerous times and the difference in their personalities when they have a new playmate is lovely to see. They are so sociable and really like to have company.

just letting yo know, that we got a new guinea pig from a pet shop, only 7 weeks old!
On their advice, we introduced them in the house and throghly cleaned out the hutch and they seem to be getting on really well! No fights yet!
So we are really pleased, really glad we got another.

Aww fantastic news, you sound like a lovely owner, what lucky pigs you have

Glad they're getting on well.

My guinea pig died a few months ago, and her sister seemed really sad without her. I decided to get two baby ones, so hopefully when the older one dies I won't have one on her own again. They are all getting on well- one baby is very vocal and her sister is shy. They definately have their own personalities.