Socialisation and companionship
Cavies are a social species ; in the wild , cavies often live in close groups of five to ten individuals , usually family relatives . Interestingly , since 2008 , Swiss animal protection ordnance legislation has prohibited owners from keeping one solitary guinea pig , due to their highly social nature [ 27 ] . Same-species companionship is required to fulfil vital social needs and allow guinea pigs to express normal behaviour – one of ‘ five freedoms ’ identified in guidance on meeting guinea pig needs [ 25 ] .
Guinea pigs tend to thrive in larger herd-like groupings reflective of their ancestral social structure [ 25 ] , which can be replicated in domestic environments , where space permits . A typical group usually consists of several sows and may include a single boar ( Figure 6 , page 47 ), provided the females or the male have been neutered appropriately . Multiple boars should not be housed with sows , even if they are neutered , due to the high risk of conflict [ 26 ] . Other appropriate pairings include two sows , two boars , or a neutered sow and boar , but care must be taken to ensure the pair are well suited behaviourally .
If well socialised with humans , from around 2 days old , some guinea pigs may enjoy human interaction . However , they are a prey species , so close and prolonged human contact is likely to be highly stressful [ 10 ] . Most guinea pigs exhibit a freeze fear response , which could be misinterpreted as contentment by owners [ 25 ] . It is important to note that human interaction does not serve as a suitable replacement for conspecific companions . Owners should be encouraged to adopt a gentle and reduced approach to handling , with training for grooming and health checks using positive-reinforcement-based methods .
Historically , rabbits were considered suitable companions for guinea pigs , when routine neutering of rabbits was deemed high risk [ 26 ] , but this is no longer the case . The two species communicate and behave differently , which could put the smaller guinea pig at risk of serious injury [ 28 ] . Their dietary needs also differ , making it challenging to provide suitable nutrition for a mixed group . Additionally , rabbits carry Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria , a common cause of respiratory disease in rodents . Clients should not , therefore , be encouraged to house these species together [ 14 ] .
In the UK , a suitable companion for a guinea pig may be found at guinea pig rescue and rehoming organisations , pet shops and private breeders . A recent Blue Cross survey [ 6 ] , which considered how owners acquired small pets , found that 53 % bought their new pet at a pet shop , 22 % had adopted from a UK-based rescue charity and 18 % purchased their pet from a breeder . A breeder or pet shop could be a fast solution , but reputable rehoming centres are generally better able to support new owners . Bonding between new guinea pigs should be encouraged slowly and patiently for the best chance of success [ 26 ] . Some sanctuaries offer an on-site bonding service to help bereaved guinea pigs find a suitable companion . If this service is not available , most reputable rescue centres will at least advise on potential matches and guide owners on successful bonding , with the option to return guinea pigs to the centre if they do not bond with existing pets .
It is helpful to recognise basic guinea pig vocalisations and behavioural displays when attempting to bond or handle them . This provides a better understanding of an animal ' s mental state and enables swift intervention , if needed . Vocal communication is a key aspect of guinea pig behaviour and emotional assessment [ 29 ] . It is theorised that they use 10 main vocalisations in positive ( excitement ) and negative ( fear , stress ) responses [ 30 ] . One of the most common vocalisations is the use of high-pitched , loud whistles to indicate excitement ( for example , in anticipation of food ); however , a similar shriek is used as a stress response , usually in response to sudden handling or perceived danger [ 30 ] . Guinea pigs also display behaviour known affectionately among the cavyowning community as a ‘ popcorn ’, in which the animal leaps or jumps up , flicking its head and twisting its body , sometimes completing several jumps in close succession . This behaviour is thought to indicate excitement , and is often shown in response to a new food or environmental stimulus [ 4 ] . A low , continuous ‘ rumble ’ is usually used in sexual communication – for males attempting to attract females , and females notifying nearby males of their fertile period – but it can also be seen in territorial and hierarchical displays between same-sex pairings . The chattering of teeth and rearing is particularly notable , as this usually indicates fear or aggression [ 4 ] , and is often seen during interaction and conflict , so care should be taken around guinea pigs displaying these behaviours .
When conducting guinea pig welfare clinics , it would be appropriate to discuss a guinea pig ' s social tendencies and behaviours with owners , particularly in cases where the animals are kept singularly . Burgess ' s survey [ 2 ] found that 74 % of respondents with just one guinea pig would be willing to have another , indicating that there is significant potential for single-cavy owners to improve their pet ' s welfare through the addition of a companion , if given access to the right support .
Questions to support an evaluation of a guinea pig ' s socialisation during an owner consultation
• Is the guinea pig housed with other animals of the same species ?
• Does the owner understand how to minimise stress during human interaction and handling ?
• Does the owner have a basic understanding of guinea pig behaviour and indicators of stress and excitement ?
48 Veterinary Nursing Journal