Guinea pigs are highly social creatures that thrive in the company of another pig. If you must separate your guinea pigs, this article will show you how to divide a guinea pig cage.
What to know before you divide the cage
When grouping guinea pigs, it’s critical to strike the right balance so that these social animals can coexist happily in a group. While there are no set rules, you should consider the gender of the guinea pigs and their unique personalities.
There are many reasons why you might want to have multiple guinea pigs. One reason is that having multiple guinea pigs allows them to stimulate each other and it encourages active behavior. Also, if one of the animals dies or has a fungal infection and needs to be quarantined for an extended period, the remaining guinea pigs will not be abandoned. And finally, putting a group together all at once is preferable to introducing others later as guinea pigs are territorial animals.
When multiple guinea pigs are kept together in a cage, one might start to assert dominance over the other. It is especially noticeable during the adolescent period. Fighting among guinea pigs can occur for a variety of reasons. They naturally resolve most issues independently, but their fighting can get very serious at times. You will need to divide your guinea pig cage appropriately at this point. Another sign that you need to divide a guinea pig cage is because they are squeaking at night.
Follow these steps to divide your guinea pig cage properly.
How to Divide a Guinea Pig Cage
To divide a guinea pig cage, first measure your cage, purchase a divider or connector, and then insert the divider and make sure it splits the areas evenly.
Step 1: Measure your cage
A 2×3 grid cage is the standard cage size for two guinea pigs; however, we recommend a 2×4 grid cage. A single guinea pig requires at least 7.5 square feet, and two guinea pigs should not be kept in a space smaller than 10.5 square feet.
Before dividing your cage, ensure it is big enough to be divided first. Make sure your cage can be divided equally; you don’t want one guinea pig to have a larger space than the other guinea pigs. I strongly advise you to purchase a C & C cage. This enclosure is made of cubes and coroplast, a corrugated plastic that allows cages to be easily divided.
Step 2: Purchase dividers and connectors
Dividers and connectors will be used to divide the space in your guinea pig’s cage. This may be easier if you have a C & C cage because the cages can be easily disassembled and reassembled to meet your needs. You can get cage dividers and connectors online or from your local pet store if you have a different cage.
Step 3: Divide the cage equally
Give your guinea pigs enough cage space with a standard grid wall so they can be beside one another for company and safe engagement. This means that a simple 2×6 grid cage will be divided into 2×3 grids per guinea pig with a standard grid wall divider.
The environment you provide for your guinea pigs is the most critical factor to consider when setting up cages for them. Even the gentlest guinea pigs will become aggressive if kept in an inappropriate environment with not enough stimulation. If you realize your guinea pigs are becoming more aggressive, it’s time to separate them.
When should you divide your guinea pig cage?
You should divide your guinea pig cage if your guinea pigs are aggressive towards one another. Keep an eye out for aggressive behaviors like constant chasing, puffing up, nipping, biting, lunging, and mounting.
Under normal circumstances, when they do this, it is not a cause for concern unless it becomes aggressive and can injure other guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are excellent social animals, and they usually get along with one another. However, fights do occur.
After a while, reintroduce them and observe how they interact. You can let them share a single cage if they enjoy being together without fighting.
If any of these signs indicate that they are in distress due to their cage mates, they should be separated. It can be difficult to tell whether they’re just playing, establishing dominance, or fighting. You, as the owner, must be able to differentiate between these behaviors. If you separate your guinea pigs too soon, it may have a negative impact on their social skills.
Conclusion
Guinea pigs, like humans, have distinct personalities, and keeping them together necessitates matching up their personality traits. Many pet owners have multiple guinea pigs that get along well. The key to ensuring compatibility is to pair guinea pigs with dominant and subordinate personality traits.
Their cages can be divided to ensure their safety, but guinea pigs are social creatures who prefer to be with others. If your guinea pigs appear to have calmed down, it may be time to reintroduce them to one another. Hopefully, this article taught you how to divide a guinea pig cage. It’s not a complicated process, especially if you have a high-quality guinea pig cage.