Expert: Alison Gartery - 6/27/2009

Question
My guinea pigs cage mate has died about 2 months ago. Now i think im ready to get a new cage mate for her. But the problem is im worried they wont get along. is there a special way to introduce them?

Answer
hello,
Firstly if you have enough time then house them separately at first with a divide of wire mesh between so they can talk and see eachother. Then start introducing them gently (e.g)hold them both on your lap for a few minutes. You can then put them both in a large room together, then finally clean out the cage and either wash them both or spray them both with a little perfume so they smell the same on their back you can put them together.
Some guinea pigs just don't get on and just fight all the time, if this is the case then I would suggest leaving them divided incase they seriously hurt eachother.
Another way of helping them get together is put them both in a ventilated cardboard box and take them for a short car journey, this is not guaranteed to work but because they may be a little scared this should distract them from eachother.
I hope this helps