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Guinea pigs should never be left without a companion. If you have more than two already, if one dies it’s not essential to replace it. But you can if you want - the more the merrier, as far as the GP community is concerned!
If one of your two guinea pigs dies and for whatever reason you don’t want to get another, it's best to give your single guinea pig to a friend who already keeps guinea pigs, or, failing that, to a local pet sanctuary.
Check out the Introducing Guinea Pigs section of this guide for handy tips on getting GPs together.
Guinea pigs get very lonely, so always provide them with companions
Anyone who claims that their guinea pig doesn't enjoy the company of other guinea pigs is simply mistaken. All guinea pigs are herd animals, without exception.
When introducing new guinea pigs, it should be on a neutral territory. This means an area in which neither animal has spent a lot of time, and therefore doesn't feel territorial about. This could be a large cardboard, or an area of your house that's safe for the guinea pigs to nose around. This area should be big enough for the guinea pigs to meet without being forced too close together, as this could make them feel threatened and therefore less likely to bond.
Comments
Heidi, 4 September 2022
My guinea pig is almost 5 years old. I adopted her (Tilly) and her sister (Milly) at a couple months old. When they were around one year old, one of them passed away (Milly), and my remaining piggie was very lonely. Couple weeks later I got another piggie (Billy) and they got along really well, no issues whatsoever. However, my newer girl (Billy) passed a few months ago suddenly, so Tilly was again very sad, as was I as Billy was the sweetest girl ever. Two days ago I got another guinea pig, and they aren't bonding very well. Anyone have any tips on how they can both be happy?
Sadguineaowner, 21 October 2021
One of my two guineas died this morning due to unknown causes but he was 5 years old and had quite major surgery in the past. His brother is the same age and is still healthy but I'm worried about him becoming lonely. I don't want to get another guinea pig as my future living situation is uncertain. My guineas have always been free in my quite large garden and I'm worried that if I give me remaining guinea away he might not have the same quality of life, having to spend most of his time in a cage. What should I do? I love my remaining guinea and I'm scared I might have to put him down so that his whole life is happy and he doesn't become sad.
Wendy, 14 September 2021
Iv just lost my guineapig this morning my other piggy’s looking for him how do I comfort him as he doesn’t understand .lm so sad as they are all I have left .can he live on his own .my cream will always be missed I’m just worried about peaches.after losing two dogs lost one 2014 then 2019 the hurt doesn’t go away
Arwen, 9 April 2020
I had 2 guinea pigs both 6 days before 6 months old, and one of my guinea pigs died... and sadly he didn’t deserve one bit of stress or pain because he was the sweetest guinea pig in the world. He never bit anyone, and all he wanted was to be nice and warm by your neck. He got URI and Pneumonia and it was already too late to help him. I was very very sad when he died but I was happy that I gave him the best life I could, even though it was only 6 months, it was the best 6 months a piggy could ask for. If you read this much, thank you so much for listening and I wanted to ask... when should I get another piggy for my lone one? I will feel awful to get one too soon as I don’t want Peanut (my little boy who died) to feel replaced (which no one can replace either of them). Also, how can I get over the death of such a young guinea pig? please please help. Thank you. ????
Molly, 14 December 2019
A couple of days age sadly one of two brothers passed away and am not sure how much time I should wait until I get another one so he doesn't feel lonely with the lose of his brother