Most people acquire their guinea pigs from a pet shop, if you must then please ensure you choose a pet shop where all the animals are kept in correct, clean, housing, have access to plenty of fresh food and water and where they keep males separate from females. Also, enough space and somewhere to hide away should they become scared. Buy from a pet shop that does not house guinea pigs with rabbits. This link will give you a guide on what to look out for http://www.ispca.ie/content/legal9.html
Choosing your guinea pig.
Guinea pigs are social creatures and must be kept in same sex pairs or groups of females never with rabbits (see page on guinea pigs and rabbits).
Pairing options:
A pair of females will as a rule get on well together, you will find the occasional female doesn't but there is sometimes a reason behind it, be it lack of space, illness/pain/discomfort.
Females can also live in groups provided they have a good amount of space. An adult male can be introduced to a baby male of about 5 to 6 weeks of age on neutral territory, this usually works out well. A very important and informative website is www.barmy4boars.co.uk this site will guide you through pairing options, it is very important for anyone who has male guinea pigs to read this site.
Another option is to have a male neutered and after 5 to 6 weeks introduce him, on neutral territory to a female or even more than one female.
Tips when introducing guinea pigs:
Make sure they have adequate space, neutral territory. Make sure they have recently eaten their fill and make plenty of food available for them also places to hide. For example if introducing 2 guinea pigs have 3 places to hide, if introducing 3 guinea pigs have 4 places to hide and so on. Keep an eye on them and have a towel handy should you have to break up a fight. To avoid having to come to this there are signs to watch out for such as a loud 'Drrrrrr' sound followed by stomping of feet, it looks like they are walking on the spot with their back legs.
Choosing a healthy guinea pig:
Aside from the all important sexing, it is also important that your guinea pigs are healthy, if you have other guinea pigs at home it is even more important to be vigilant as many guinea pig ailments are contagious to others.
Eyes: Bright, with no discharge or soreness
Ears: Clean with no smell or discharge
Nails: Trim, older guinea pigs nails tend to bend inwards ensure they are not uncomfortable or too sharp or long.
Coat: Shiny, no strong odour. No flaky dandruff, no bald patches/itching. Over all clean.
Rear end: Clean, check boars for over active grease glands this will require more maintenance. Ensure they aren't impacted.
Nose: Clean, no discharge
Droppings: Solid, long, brown in colour, not runny.
Teeth: No drooling, good colour, none broken
Urine: Yellow although can turn a reddish brown on paper after being exposed for a time, check for any signs of blood in the urine.
General: Be very alert, lively. Ideally well handled although some guinea pigs are more flighty than others they will soon get used to you and the handling. Put the guinea pig up to your ear to hear if there is any wheezing in the chest.
If unsure about any aspect of a guinea pigs health please take the animal to your local small animal vet.
