Guinea pigs are animals that live in groups in the wild. While it is advisable to keep more than one guinea pig at home, it can sometimes be difficult to do so. If you decide to keep just one guinea pig, you'll need to know how to keep him healthy, happy, and safe in his environment even in the absence of a cage mate.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Playing with Guinea Pigs
Step 1. Start by understanding that guinea pigs need time to adapt
Guinea pigs are social animals, and that means they naturally tend to live in groups. If your guinea pig doesn't have a cage mate, it's very important that you build a strong bond with them. However, guinea pigs are shy animals and they need time to feel comfortable around humans.
- Do not rush. Talk to your guinea pig from outside the cage and let it come to you of its own accord. Never force your guinea pig out of the cage. Doing so can make him feel threatened and further increase his feelings of isolation.
- Let your guinea pig sniff your hand. For that, you just need to put your hand in the cage and give it time to come and investigate who you are out of curiosity. You should let him get used to your smell before trying to grab him or hold him.
Step 2. Say gentle words that make your guinea pig feel safe
You should try to get your guinea pig to associate the sound you hear from outside the cage with comfort and safety.
- Place your guinea pig's cage in an area where you spend most of your time at home. This way, he will get used to seeing and hearing your voice. When interacting with him, say his name often so that he learns to respond when he hears it.
- Use the positive feedback method when talking to your pet guinea pig. While talking to him, give him food. Carrots, lettuce, grapes, and berries can be good and healthy choices for your guinea pig.
- Sometimes, there's nothing wrong with engaging in a one-way conversation with your pet guinea pig. Tell me about your day, your plans and social life or whatever comes to mind. Hearing your voice often will make your guinea pig feel calm. As mentioned above, guinea pigs are social animals so they tend to crave interaction with their surroundings.
Step 3. Spend plenty of time with your pet guinea pig
If your guinea pig doesn't have a cage mate, he's likely to need extra attention from his human companion. One of the reasons people find it difficult to keep just one guinea pig is that they often can't afford to devote enough time to interacting with their pet.
- You should aim for about 2 hours each day to interact with your guinea pig if he doesn't have a cage mate.
- You can plan a time each day to dedicate to your guinea pig. Divide that time frame into about an hour or half an hour that fits your schedule for a total of 2 hours.
- If you live with family, roommates, or lovers, ask them to spend time with your guinea pig if possible.
Part 2 of 3: Providing a Good Environment
Step 1. Make sure your guinea pig gets plenty of entertainment
A guinea pig that doesn't have a cage mate will need a lot of stimulation as he has to spend most of his time alone. Try to give him lots of toys so he doesn't get bored in the cage alone.
- Guinea pigs will love ping pong balls because they love to chew and run around. You can also buy balls specially made for guinea pigs at your local pet store. However, you must be vigilant. If your guinea pig is chewing excessively, you may have to remove the ball from the cage.
- Wooden structures called "hideout" houses are perfect if your guinea pig likes to run and hide. You can make your own using a cardboard box or buy one at your local pet store.
- Guinea pigs are animals that like to chew. He'll be happy if you give him scraps of paper, cardboard, old socks, pinecones, and twigs to chew on. However, do not give him materials such as wool or cotton that is torn into thin strips as they are dangerous. If ingested, these materials run the risk of becoming tangled in the guinea pig's intestines.
Step 2. Consider gardening
If you have a garden or backyard, growing it with plants and trimming the green leaves there can be a fun activity for you and your pet guinea pig.
- Guinea pigs love to be outdoors. If the garden is surrounded by a fence, you can let it roam in the garden while you work. However, you have to keep an eye on him so he doesn't find a way to escape.
- If your garden doesn't have a fence or you're worried about your guinea pig running around unsupervised, you can purchase a guinea pig-safe harness and harness at your local pet store.
- Your guinea pig won't miss an opportunity to play outdoors. Gardening is a fun way to spend time with your guinea pig while doing chores that need to be done.
Step 3. Provide limited access for the guinea pig inside the house
He can feel bored or stressed if he is locked up in a cage all day without friends. You can dedicate one of the safe rooms for your guinea pig in your home so he can play and stretch his muscles.
- You must ensure the safety of the room dedicated to guinea pigs. Do not leave any open holes or material that he can gnaw. Make sure the room is closed because guinea pigs are known to hide and can be difficult to find in large homes.
- Choose a room where you spend most of your time there so your guinea pig can interact with you as he explores his new territory.
- Don't forget to set up a safe place for your guinea pig, such as a cardboard box, in the room. If he suddenly feels stressed or threatened, he will have a place to hide.
Part 3 of 3: Monitoring your guinea pig's health
Step 1. Watch the weight
If your guinea pig is alone in the cage, you should be very careful about everything that concerns his welfare. He can experience health problems due to the stress that comes from feeling lonely. Keep an eye on your guinea pig's weight as weight loss is usually one of the first warnings that their health is taking a toll.
- Guinea pigs often help each other stay active by playing and wrestling. Guinea pigs that don't have friends are less likely to move around and become fat. Make sure your guinea pig gets enough exercise to prevent excess weight gain.
- On the other hand, guinea pigs may also lose their appetite due to stress and loneliness. You need to make sure your pet is eating enough so it doesn't lose weight drastically.
Step 2. Make sure the environment in which he lives has the right temperature
Guinea pigs often take advantage of their friend's body heat when huddled together in cold weather. You need to make sure the environment is warm enough because guinea pigs are prone to upper respiratory problems.
- Do not place the cage on the floor and keep it away from drafts. The room temperature should be stable between 18-24 °C.
- Make sure you also provide your guinea pig with a warm bed so that it has a warm place to snuggle up if it feels cold. Guinea pig bedding can be purchased online or at your local pet store.
Step 3. Watch for signs of stress and depression
Guinea pigs can experience emotional disturbances from living alone. You should recognize the signs of stress and depression in your guinea pig. If you detect these signs repeatedly, especially if they are accompanied by physical health problems, it may be time to consider buying another guinea pig as a companion. Sometimes, even when you do your best, your guinea pig just can't adapt to living alone.
- If your guinea pig is fidgeting, especially with rapid head movements, it's a sign of stress. This indicates that the guinea pig is feeling scared or uncomfortable. He can also show his teeth when approached, which is a sign of aggression.
- A depressed guinea pig tends to look lethargic. He appears to have no enthusiasm and shows no interest in food or play activities.
Tips
- If you don't have the funds to buy another guinea pig at this point, try saving some. While it's possible to keep your guinea pig happy alone, many people just can't afford to dedicate their time to their pets.
- Take your guinea pig to the vet if you think he has a health problem. Signs of stress and depression are often caused by physical problems.
- Guinea pigs are shy animals. So don't force yourself on him. Over time, he will learn to love you.
- Guinea pigs need a lot of space to run around. The more toys available, the better!
