A friend for Walter - found!

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Walter

Walter

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this was quick! so, some of you replied on my previous thread that i posted this morning (in the wrong section no less :red ) and many thanks for that!
i contacted a few rescue places (apparently first contact was to be done via email) and then went about my daily business.
Had a phone call later this morning from the girl that sold me Walter to say that they had males at their other branch and would send me all the info over via email. There is one lovely looking lad,9 weeks - so a week older than Walt, that they are going to get moved up to the branch near me and i can go give him the once over and see if i want to bring him home.
Really super pleased about this as the vet this morning at Walter`s free vet check did say i should really get him a buddy,also said that where i had bought him from did an excellent job at looking after him (he came to them with mites) as he is in great shape!
so will keep fingers crossed and keep you updated! :<>
 
Oh excellent! Walter will be a happy piggy with his new piggy company i'm sure!xx>>>
 
That is just wonderful news.. Cant wait to see the new arrival!
 
Can you take Walter with you when you meet the new boy, to see if he likes him too? Good luck.
 
Sue G said:
Can you take Walter with you when you meet the new boy, to see if he likes him too? Good luck.
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thanks all! i am excited for him/us!

Sue, i dont know to be honest i never asked. I will ask though.
I am going to ask if this new pig is able to go back to them if he doesnt get on with Walter. When i spoke to my dad yesterday he said that it would be a good idea to stress to them that although i would love another pig that the main reason for getting one is for company for Walter so if they were not to get on then he would need to come back (which i can see taking walter along would be the best thing to do in the first place). i feel a bit heartless saying that to them but i think it is practical.

Do you / the others feel it is likely that they wouldnt get on or is this only on rare occasions? i was under the impression it is much like introducing a second dog? that they would be a little put out but get over it and settle in together (maybe a bit naive of me?)
 
Walter said:
Do you / the others feel it is likely that they wouldnt get on or is this only on rare occasions? i was under the impression it is much like introducing a second dog? that they would be a little put out but get over it and settle in together (maybe a bit naive of me?)
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It's nothing like introducing dogs - I wish it were that easy.

Male guinea pigs are tricky due to their hormones, they kick in from 3-15 months old, with the strongest time 6-10 months. This means that baby pigs are usually easy to bond - though they just may not like each other right from the start and you won't be able to change their minds. If they do get on from their first meeting and live together once they hit their 'teenage' stages they can become more aggressive to each other and fall out, most of the time it's minor spats though it can become much more aggressive and they have to be separated.

This is why going through a rescue is recommended as they will match your pig with one he actually likes so there is less likelihood of them falling out - and will be there to help should you need any help or advice for the lifetime of your pigs.

HTH

Suzy x
 
Suzygpr said:
It's nothing like introducing dogs - I wish it were that easy.

Male guinea pigs are tricky due to their hormones, they kick in from 3-15 months old, with the strongest time 6-10 months. This means that baby pigs are usually easy to bond - though they just may not like each other right from the start and you won't be able to change their minds. If they do get on from their first meeting and live together once they hit their 'teenage' stages they can become more aggressive to each other and fall out, most of the time it's minor spats though it can become much more aggressive and they have to be separated.

This is why going through a rescue is recommended as they will match your pig with one he actually likes so there is less likelihood of them falling out - and will be there to help should you need any help or advice for the lifetime of your pigs.

HTH

Suzy x
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oh right, i see. so, sorry, i may be being a bit thick here, but if boars are prone to fighting then why do many places advise single sex pairs for company? is this just as they are sexually active so early that it is better should you not want to breed? i kind of feel now that i think both are young enough so hopefully should get on but if they are likely to fight then is it not better he stays on his own and has more attention from me? i dont want him to get lonely but i also dont want to put him in a position where he gets hurt (sorry if that sounds a bit pathetic/wet!) definitely will ask them if i can take him down to meet this new pig then. xx
 
As I bond males week in, week out I can honestly say that the majority that are bonded correctly work. This is because the pigs get to choose who they live with - getting a random cagemate is playing a game of chance, maybe they'll get on, maybe they won't. One of the more stable relationships is to bond a young male to a pig that has finished their hormonal stage as having two pigs going through it at the same time can be tricky.

I would never recommend a pig live a solitary life - if they can't live with a pig at least let them live next door to one so they can have someone that understands them and talks back.

Suzy x
 
Suzygpr said:
As I bond males week in, week out I can honestly say that the majority that are bonded correctly work. This is because the pigs get to choose who they live with - getting a random cagemate is playing a game of chance, maybe they'll get on, maybe they won't. One of the more stable relationships is to bond a young male to a pig that has finished their hormonal stage as having two pigs going through it at the same time can be tricky.

I would never recommend a pig live a solitary life - if they can't live with a pig at least let them live next door to one so they can have someone that understands them and talks back.

Suzy x
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Thanks Suzy. When i spoke to vet about it he said if they are about the same age then they should be ok and to just let them meet on mutual ground and have the hutch cleaned out and move it around so it is "new" to both of them when i put them in together. This new guy is a week older than Walter. I will see how pet shop are with me taking him down there and see how they get on first there i think.
thank you xx
 
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