A Companion For My Bereaved Piggie

[Emily_20]

hello everyone

Unfortunately we lost one of our rescue boars today unexpectedly whilst we are devastated to lose him we're thinking of our other boar and what to do about getting him another companion as I'd hate him to be lonely.

He is around 3 and a half we think and was always the dominant one of the two.
What does everyone suggest about another companion ? Age and sex (neutering advice) ? And how soon should we introduce another piggie to him?

And in the meantime he is with me (as they are indoor piggies anyway) and has a cuddly teddy to help.

Many thanks for any advice !
Emily

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! I am very sorry for your loss! You are welcome to post a tribute to your boy that has passed away in our Rainbow Bridge section if or whenever this feels right for you.

You may find this guide here helpful. Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
It addresses many of the questions that you have right now and also has got some links you may find helpful. There is unfortunately no longer a good guinea pig rescue that offers boar dating near you. For neutering you want to find a good vet in order to minimise the risk of complications and you have to factor in a 6 weeks post-op wait before he is 100% safe to be with sows. He can spend the wait in a next door pen to sows, though.

 

[Emily_20]

Hi, thank you so much for your reply. I will post a picture of Freddie soon, he really was gorgeous

If I was to get a pair of females to live next door and have my boy neutered, do you think it would be okay to introduce all three properly after all those weeks? Are they likely to get on as a trio?

I've only had all girls before this pair, and my boy is very grumpy so he is a worry!

Thanks

 

[Emily_20]

And also, would you suggest younger girls as more likely to bond easily with him or not?

 

[Wiebke]

And also, would you suggest younger girls as more likely to bond easily with him or not?

Sub-adult sows would be better than older sows, as they will accept him more easily and there is no question as to who comes top in those cases where you cannot easily rescue date to make sure that acceptance has happened before you come home with a companion. They can live next to him, interact with him through the bars and make friends that way.

We have got a guide on post-op care if you wish to. It is at the top of our Caring for an Ill Piggy section.

 

[Emily_20]

Thank you so much for your advice!
I am going to go down this route I think and try and find some girls for him to make friends with next door for now ! This may prove more easily said than done though there seems to be a shortage of girls !