A lot of animals require a friend. Many rodents do just fine alone and it is not a crime to just have one, but guinea pigs specifically will actually die of depression if there is only one living alone. They are quite touchy little fuzz balls 🐹
Edit: as many people replied they just need social interaction. If you are constantly with them and interacting with them then that's fine, but the easiest way to ensure they aren't lonely or sad is to just have a companion.
There are other pets in Switzerland that are forbidden from living in isolation. Goldfish are also required to have at least one tank-mate and parrots must either live or have the opportunity to socialize with other birds on a regular basis. And though most cats may seem like solitary creatures to their owners, their social wellbeing is also protected in Switzerland; the law doesn’t go so far as to say that pet owners must have more than one cat, just that single cats should be able to see other cats when prowling outside or staring though a window.
nirri on April 24th, 2019 at 12:38 UTC »
So when one of them dies, you replace it, then the other dies, and you replace it. Sounds like a ploy to force infinite sales of guinea pigs.
Edit: God damn it people, this is a joke. Please stop telling me about the rental services or things that kill guinea pigs.
Toastmaster3000 on April 24th, 2019 at 13:30 UTC »
A lot of animals require a friend. Many rodents do just fine alone and it is not a crime to just have one, but guinea pigs specifically will actually die of depression if there is only one living alone. They are quite touchy little fuzz balls 🐹
Edit: as many people replied they just need social interaction. If you are constantly with them and interacting with them then that's fine, but the easiest way to ensure they aren't lonely or sad is to just have a companion.
TooShiftyForYou on April 24th, 2019 at 13:30 UTC »
There are other pets in Switzerland that are forbidden from living in isolation. Goldfish are also required to have at least one tank-mate and parrots must either live or have the opportunity to socialize with other birds on a regular basis. And though most cats may seem like solitary creatures to their owners, their social wellbeing is also protected in Switzerland; the law doesn’t go so far as to say that pet owners must have more than one cat, just that single cats should be able to see other cats when prowling outside or staring though a window.