Myth #1: Male Guinea Pigs Can't Live Together

Somewhere, sometime, someone started a rumor that two male guinea pigs cannot live together. In time, the rumor developed into a full-blown myth that's been hard to erase. There's rarely a week that goes by that Cindy doesn't have to debunk this myth for a prospective adopter.

Fact: Two or more male guinea pigs can live together quite happily, and seem to be less prone to the kind of surprise falling-outs that we've seen within pairs and trios of females. A perfect example of a happy trio of males is Cheech, Chong and Diego, three sanctuary pigs profiled on our Web site.

Fact: Two or more males can't live together if there's a female in the cage with them. Having a girl in the mix stirs up spatting and outright fighting amongst the boys for alpha male status. Inevitably, the female, and one of the males, gets hurt. No bonded pair or trio -- no matter how long they've been together -- is immune. 

Fact: In many cases, two or more males can't live together peacefully if there's a girl or two living next door in an adjoining cage. There are exceptions, but they're the minority. 

Ultimately, successful matches between guinea pigs -- in any species, for that matter -- come down to individual personalities. Some mix, some don't.

We'll debunk other myths about guinea pig relationships over the next couple of days. In the meantime...have stories about successful pairings of male guinea pigs? Share them in the Comments section!

Comments

[Whitney]

Hi Sindy Lou -- thanks for reading.

Here at the rescue, Cindy has had good luck putting babies in with male guinea pigs. They often turn out to be receptive and attentive cagemates.

You'll need bigger cages to house each brood (male and female). Babies are active and rambunctious, and tight quarters will tip the balance against successful living arrangements.

You'll also want to move the cage of males away from the cage of females -- across the room or in another room. As the babies reach adolescence, they (especially the males) will react strongly to the smell of the opposite sex and the group dynamic in each cage could be affected as hormones cause the boys to jockey for "alpha male" status and the girls for "alpha female" status.

Know, though, that as the babies mature there will still be some jockeying for "alpha" status even if they're not near the other cage. This is just typical maturing. It's hard to tell how this will go, because it all will come down to personalities and how many in the cage do, or do not, want to have "alpha" status.

You'll want to read "Adding A 2nd Cavy," "Adding a 3rd Cavy," and "Introductions" at http://www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm.

[Sindy Lou]

I have 4 beautiful gp's 3 female Hugs & kisses 5 mths & Dora 3 mths to my suprise pet shop owner didnt tell me Dora was pregnant
Then i have my new male 5mths gp who hasnt a name yet i got him today..
I was told by pet shop owner when dora as babies i can part the males from Dora & put in with my male when there 4 weeks,is this ok?

[Whitney]

Hi Stacie:
Thanks for dropping by Pig Notes!

I think you'll find the answer to your question in our Myth #6: Piggies & Bunnies Can Be Roommates posting.

[Stacie]

Hi. Can a male guinea pig and female bunny live together? I always see them caged together at the mspca but do they also have to be the same sex?

[Vicky]

My Abbott and Costello were brothers, and they lived happily together for almost six years.

They never fought. Never had even a little spat. I had to hold them together on my lap because they didn't like to be separated.

I can't believe someone's been telling people that boys can't live together, because they absolutely can!