Spaying (females) or neutering (males) will prevent any unwanted litters between males and females.
It can also reduce health and behaviour issues, increasing the chances your guinea pigs will get along.
Find a veterinary clinic that works with small animals. You can find someone in your area using the ABVMA Directory.
Socialize your guinea pig to another is easier if done earlier in life, however it is possible to transition them from living alone if it is done safely and slowly.
It can take two to three weeks to assess if your guinea pigs will get along.
Check out our guide to introducing guinea pigs for steps to follow.
The more guinea pigs you have living together, the more space they need. The recommended minimum spacing is:
Scattering food around their enclosure and having at least two water sources can also prevent fighting over resources.
There should also be multiple hiding spaces for the guinea pigs to retreat to, however these should be open-ended so they cannot be cornered.
Bored Guinea Pigs may become aggressive towards each other, so it’s important to provide enrichment for their physical and mental health, allowing them to express natural behaviours and reducing unwanted ones.
Guinea pigs like to explore, play, chew and hide, so their enrichment should allow them to do these things.
DIY enrichment such as boxes, toilet paper tubes, paper bags, shredded paper and untreated apple tree branches can make fun and safe enrichment items for your guinea pig. You can also fill these items with hay, treats or veggies to encourage them to forage, chew and play with the item.
You can also find toys, chews, hiding items, digging boxes and puzzle feeders made for guinea pigs through our Bingo’s Pet Shop.
Learn more about guinea pig enrichment from the RSPCA.
A male guinea pig is more likely to fight with another male.
If you have a male guinea pig, it’s recommended to get a spayed female companion.
If you are keeping a group of guinea pigs, it is recommended to only have one male and several females.
A sudden change in behaviour can be a sign of a health issue or pain. If your guinea pigs previously got along and their behaviour has recently changed, take them to your vet.
You can find a veterinary clinic in your area using the ABVMA Directory. Make sure the veterinarian is comfortable with small animals.
If these options haven’t worked for you, you can return to our HELP Tool to find more ideas tailored to different concerns.
If you’re thinking of re-homing your pet, we recommend taking steps to find them a new home yourself before bringing them to a rescue or shelter. Pets often do better if they can go directly to a new family. For tips on how to responsibly rehome your pet, read our guide.
If you still have questions or want to talk about other options, please submit a support request below and a member of our team will get in touch with you.