A

[polo]

My guinea pig lost his brother last week. If covid was not around I would pack up for a week and go off for some piggie dating - I live on an island in the south of England so not easy just to hop in a car to wherever in the uk. My boar is 5 and feel too old for neutering as my ideal and think easiest to bond with a female or two. I don’t think there are many spayed females around. I do not want to buy a baby but one of similar age. My question is do I wait until further restrictions relax and then go piggie dating but do not know when this will happen and my piggie is on his own still or try and find a boar of similar age locally - not that easy and none around at the moment. Have posted help on rescue sites and in my area but no joy. If I got an old boar I would let them live side by side and cross fingers that at some point they will bond. I have a 6x2 grid c and c so could split. Or can anyone help with piggie dating or anything else Thank you

 

[Piggies&buns]

I'm sorry for your loss.
As long as your piggy is coping ok by himself, then you have some time to look into your options and look into dating.
Of course with the current situation everything is up in the air.
If your piggy does start to become lonely, then you may not have the option to wait. Age is much less of a consideration though, as character compatibility is the key factor in a successful bond. You can’t guarantee two piggies will like each other so you would need a plan b if you took a piggy on spec. Living permanently side by side in the event of a failed bonding is fine but splitting a 6x2 cage would obviously mean each half was a 3x2 which is a little on the small side even for a single piggy.
You would Ideally also need to quarantine a piggy if you were to get one from anywhere other than a rescue centre so as of ensure no illnesses can be passed on to your piggy. Quarantine is done for two weeks in a separate room. A young piggy cannot be quarantined due to their social needs so you would then have to treat both piggies should an illness be brought in.

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

 

[polo]

I'm sorry for your loss.
As long as your piggy is coping ok by himself, then you have some time to look into your options and look into dating.
Of course with the current situation everything is up in the air.
If your piggy does start to become lonely, then you may not have the option to wait. Age is much less of a consideration though, as character compatibility is the key factor in a successful bond. You can’t guarantee two piggies will like each other so you would need a plan b if you took a piggy on spec. Living permanently side by side in the event of a failed bonding is fine but splitting a 6x2 cage would obviously mean each half was a 3x2 which is a little on the small side even for a single piggy.
You would Ideally also need to quarantine a piggy if you were to get one from anywhere other than a rescue centre so as of ensure no illnesses can be passed on to your piggy. Quarantine is done for two weeks in a separate room. A young piggy cannot be quarantined due to their social needs so you would then have to treat both piggies should an illness be brought in.

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

Thank you for your very knowledgeable response. He seems fine, though quiet but then he has no piggie to play with... he is wheeking but not yet popcorning - he used to have a little popcorn every morning when I was cleaning up after their night time shenanigans!. He is eating and his poos look perfect. I would really like to wait and go piggie dating but just want him to be happy ! I could jig to 3 x 3 each If need be but would prefer not to. I can quarantine if need be in another room. Will wait for now as would prefer him to have a pig to live with rather than just a neighbour. Thank you