Is it better to get a male or female guinea pig?

Is it better to get a male or female guinea pig?

If you’re getting a single guinea pig you can pick either a male or female depending on your personal preference as they both make great pets. Sex doesn’t matter much as long as the pig is friendly and healthy. If on the other hand you’re getting a pair of guinea pigs at once, then getting two immature females seems to be the best option.

Which is the friendliest breed of guinea pig?

Below is the tabulation of the top 7 breeds of guinea pigs and their respective score of friendliness indicated against them on a scale of 1-10. 1. Abyssinian (10) 2. Teddies (9.6) 3. American (9) 4. Crested (8.5) 5. Peruvians (8) 6. Silkies (7)

Where is the best place to buy a guinea pig?

You can either buy or adopt a guinea pig but ensure that your new pet is healthy. If you buy, then do so from a reputable source. Mainstream pet shops are the safest places to buy healthy guinea pigs. Buying from a breeder is sometimes risky. Remember a healthy guinea pig can live quite longer than an unhealthy one.

When does a female guinea pig become pregnant?

Besides, when a female frequently gives birth, it shortens its lifespan. Female guinea pigs go through a 14-18 day cycle where they can mate and become pregnant. Females can reproduce when they are only 6 weeks old while males become sexually active when they are 10 weeks old.

Is it better to put two guinea pigs together?

If guinea pig males live together it is much better if they are from the same litter. If you are going to put two males together then it is better to have one dominant one and one shy one as if you have two dominant males together they are much more likely to fight.

If you’re getting a single guinea pig you can pick either a male or female depending on your personal preference as they both make great pets. Sex doesn’t matter much as long as the pig is friendly and healthy. If on the other hand you’re getting a pair of guinea pigs at once, then getting two immature females seems to be the best option.

What should I name my guinea pig boy?

Whether your boy guinea pig is a little cutie and you need cute boy guinea pig names to choose from, or your piggie has that once-in-a-lifetime personality that demands a list of the most unique names for boy guinea pigs to match, we’ve got you covered! Don’t forget – guinea pigs need friends!

Is there a good home for a guinea pig?

As we reached 7 months, the nice woman that saved us, began having family issues, and made a heartbreaking choice to bring us to a guinea pig rescue. This Rescue is a great temporary home, we get lots of veggies, and all the hay and pellets we can eat, but we really need some one on one time, and a family to call our own.

When is the best time to breed a guinea pig?

If you are after breeding guinea pigs, then it is good to do so when the female is still young. Breeding an old female guinea pig (between 7-12 months) for the first time can be quite stressful. This is because their pelvic bones will have fused making it hard for them to deliver.

Is it OK to keep a male guinea pig in a cage?

Male guinea pigs can become very territorial and aggressive if they are kept in small cages and grouped with other male guinea pigs it can unleash battles for territory. They won’t become aggressive with you but they may hurt each other.

Why does a male guinea pig smell like a female guinea pig?

The grease gland produces a smelly secrete, that they’ll spread around their cage to mark their territory, You’ll notice both males and females doing this from time to time. The area around the grease gland can get quite dirty and smelly, so a cleaning could be needed once in a while too.

Can you have one male guinea pig and two female?

The worse thing you can do if you want a peaceful guinea pig owning experience is keeping two males and a female together as this normally leads to a lot of bust-ups . Another thing to take into consideration is that if you buy a male and a female, then you might need to have the male neutered or else be ready to handle innumerable litters of baby guinea pigs in your home.

Can I put male and female guinea pigs together?

You can keep two female guinea pigs together, or a female with a neutered male (castrating males is straight forward). Two brothers that have been brought up together will usually also live in harmony or two unrelated males that are put together as soon as they have been weaned, ie: within a few days of birth.

What is the difference between a male and female guinea pig?

Male guinea pigs are commonly referred as boars, which is the same for the actual pigs. Female Guinea Pigs. Female guinea pigs are the friendly members of their kind towards the owner when they live as pets. With their likable habits, an adult female (called sow) could be identified with the smaller size compared to an adult male.

Do male guinea pig try to mate?

When a guinea pig is about to give birth, any male guinea pigs near her will gather around and try to become the dominant male in order to both protect the female and mate with her. The female has a short postpartum estrus that will last for only about half a day and, without a dominant male, all of the males will try to mate with the new mother.

If guinea pig males live together it is much better if they are from the same litter. If you are going to put two males together then it is better to have one dominant one and one shy one as if you have two dominant males together they are much more likely to fight.

How long does it take guinea pigs to get to know each other?

After 2 weeks of keeping them quarantined, introduce them to each other. The 2 week gap will be enough to allow the new guinea pig to get to know the old. Do this on a neutral territory where neither guinea pig has encountered before so that the old guinea pig does not get defensive about their territory.

Can a male guinea pig live with a female guinea pig?

Alternatively, if you have 2 fully grown males that don’t get along, you can introduce very young guinea pigs to each of the adult males so you have 2 pairs of guinea pigs; this situation is ideal as it means they can still fully interact and live together.

After 2 weeks of keeping them quarantined, introduce them to each other. The 2 week gap will be enough to allow the new guinea pig to get to know the old. Do this on a neutral territory where neither guinea pig has encountered before so that the old guinea pig does not get defensive about their territory.

What kind of companionship does a guinea pig need?

They are herd animals, meaning that they are very sociable, and thrive with company of their own kind! A few of the many benefits that companionship provides: Having a herd of guinea pigs with a neutered boar and several sows is similar to how they live in the wild, so their natural behaviours really show with that group combination.

As long as it is healthy, happy and friendly, you won’t go wrong choosing either a boy or a girl guinea pig. But, if you are thinking about getting a pair, or adding a new piggie to your existing herd, choosing a boar or a sow is a significant decision. Remember, though, cavies are social animals.