A Friend For Bonnie

[Amysmom]

Ive decided to get Bonnie a friend! As said on my other post she has lost 3 cage mates in 3 months and is now grieving. She stays in her house all day and even drags her veg into there, it's so sad. She's such a gorgeous natured guinea pig and doesn't deserve to spend what time she has left alone. I've decided I don't mind having two pigs, I know that once Bonnie has gone I will need to get the remaining one a friend but I can't imagine not having any so that's okay

Bonnie is almost six and I wanted to ask what kind of age pig I should consider? I'm in touch with a lady who has a rescue/boarding, she did have a six month old sow who seemed suitable but has been re homed. She has others who are on pregnancy watch. The problem is that I need to act fast. Our local p@h do have 2 individual sows in their adoption centre but I don't know their ages. I also have a friend who has a couple of baby pigs.
Bonnie has always been motherly so I'm not sure what would be best for her.

 

[Tiamolly123]

If she has always been motherly, I would give her something to mother, under 5 months. Like you say she stays in her shelter that's not healthy & worrying for you. I think if it was me I'd get a new one ASAP. Really I would have got eiether or I assume these baby's are younger, & ld proberly maybe pick those. Whatever you get Pigtures. PLEASE.

 

[Amysmom]

If she has always been motherly, I would give her something to mother, under 5 months. Like you say she stays in her shelter that's not healthy & worrying for you. I think if it was me I'd get a new one ASAP. Really I would have got eiether or I assume these baby's are younger, & ld proberly maybe pick those. Whatever you get Pigtures. PLEASE.

I would so love a baby piggy again
Do you think it's okay for a baby to be with just a six year old?

 

[Swissgreys]

I will be honest and say that I don't know that age will make a huge difference here - it will really come down to the personalities of the individual pigs involved.
Of course a very young baby will be less likely to try and boss Bonnie around, but an older piggie could also make a good companion.
If you have a friend who has babies it could be worth starting there and making sure if the bonding fails that you will need to return the piggie and try with another.
Is that a possibility?
Or would it be possible to do the same with a guinea pig from Pets at Home, if you explain your situation.
I would certainly hope so, but don't live in the UK so am not really sure about this.

 

[Tiamolly123]

I can't see any problem with 2 babies any bonding is hit & miss anyway if your friend is willing to take them back if they don't. Even if Bonnie is slower than them she can watch. I think she will get the best of both worlds. Maybe give her a second go at life. Does Bonnie live outside in a hutch or inside in a cage of sorts.

 

[Amysmom]

I can't see any problem with 2 babies any bonding is hit & miss anyway if your friend is willing to take them back if they don't. Even if Bonnie is slower than them she can watch. I think she will get the best of both worlds. Maybe give her a second go at life. Does Bonnie live outside in a hutch or inside in a cage of sorts.

I would only be having the one baby.
Bonnie lives inside in a c&c cage.

 

[Amysmom]

I will be honest and say that I don't know that age will make a huge difference here - it will really come down to the personalities of the individual pigs involved.
Of course a very young baby will be less likely to try and boss Bonnie around, but an older piggie could also make a good companion.
If you have a friend who has babies it could be worth starting there and making sure if the bonding fails that you will need to return the piggie and try with another.
Is that a possibility?
Or would it be possible to do the same with a guinea pig from Pets at Home, if you explain your situation.
I would certainly hope so, but don't live in the UK so am not really sure about this.

I've contacted p@h and they said they have one piggy in the adoption centre and she is 6 months old so I'm thinking for this could be an ideal age. I know that when we spoke to them a few years ago after we were considering one of the pigs in the adoption centre for one of my daughters boys they said they wouldn't have it back if it didn't work out. That puzzles me though because they took the pig from someone in the first place. Where do their adoption piggys come from?

 

[Swissgreys]

I've contacted p@h and they said they have one piggy in the adoption centre and she is 6 months old so I'm thinking for this could be an ideal age. I know that when we spoke to them a few years ago after we were considering one of the pigs in the adoption centre for one of my daughters boys they said they wouldn't have it back if it didn't work out. That puzzles me though because they took the pig from someone in the first place. Where do their adoption piggys come from?

I think that giving the piggy from PAH a chance sounds like a great idea.
I would be tempted to go in and explain your situation - you are seeking a companion for an older piggy who is recently bereaved, and ask if they would take the piggy back if Bonnie doesn't accept her. Ask to speak to someone in charge and be honest with them.
Honestly if Bonnie doesn't accept the new girl then what are you supposed to do?

 

[Amysmom]

I think that giving the piggy from PAH a chance sounds like a great idea.
I would be tempted to go in and explain your situation - you are seeking a companion for an older piggy who is recently bereaved, and ask if they would take the piggy back if Bonnie doesn't accept her. Ask to speak to someone in charge and be honest with them.
Honestly if Bonnie doesn't accept the new girl then what are you supposed to do?

I'm going to give them a call back and ask that question before I see the piggy that's in the adoption centre. Trouble is when I called earlier to ask how old the piggy was I had someone who didn't seem to know anything