Adult or baby?

[metalhead]

So, none of the rescues (i have contacted lots) have been able to help me find a friend for Smokey Joe who lost his brother last week. So now i am faced with having to find one privately which i really did not want to do. My question is this, would it be likely to be more successful to try and bond him with an adult or a baby? I am thinking adult who is past the puberty stage, but i would like your thoughts please, as a single adult seems very hard to find. I can tell Smokey is really missing Gizmo and getting lonely, despite me paying him lots and lots of attention, he needs a chum. He is such a very gentle pig. I should add that i have read all the guides on bonding, bereavement etc, i would just like peoples views! Thanks

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m so sorry to hear this.

It comes down to character compatibility, not age, so its not entirely possible to say - babies will not usually challenge for dominance and are often accepted (but not always) by the resident piggy. But when they hit their teens, there is a risk that things may change. Do bear in mind more boar pairs make it together than not though. Getting an adult can mean that there is an immediate clash of character if they both want to be dominant.
Getting a piggy from a private source or pet shop is a risk whatever the age is it is not the determining factor, and you will be very much shooting in the dark until you actually try to bond them. However you need to do what is right for Smokey Joe so while rescuing is best so you can ensure character compatibility, if a piggy is struggling being alone and you can’t find a piggy to rescue, then that needs to prompt your next steps.

If you cannot date before committing to a new piggy, then a back up plan of them living side by side in separate cages is the next best thing to having a live in friend.

A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

 

[metalhead]

I’m so sorry to hear this.

It comes down to character compatibility, not age, so its not entirely possible to say - babies will not usually challenge for dominance and are often accepted (but not always) by the resident piggy. But when they hit their teens, there is a risk that things may change. Do bear in mind more boar pairs make it together than not though. Getting an adult can mean that there is an immediate clash of character if they both want to be dominant.
Getting a piggy from a private source or pet shop is a risk whatever the age is it is not the determining factor, and you will be very much shooting in the dark until you actually try to bond them. However you need to do what is right for Smokey Joe so while rescuing is best so you can ensure character compatibility, if a piggy is struggling being alone and you can’t find a piggy to rescue, then that needs to prompt your next steps.

If you cannot date before committing to a new piggy, then a back up plan of them living side by side in separate cages is the next best thing to having a live in friend.

A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Thank you. I am at my wits end, trying to deal with my grief and that is only being compounded by seeing Smokey all alone. I absolutely will not buy from a pet shop, that is not going to happen, i would use the breeder i got them both from originally if i decide to get a baby, she is very responsible, does not over breed and has very specific requirements for homes, but i really wanted to try and rescue an older piggy. I do not have the option for side by side cages, i just dont have a big enough house, their run is in my lounge and i have no more room. I have to say i am in bits! If i get another baby too, which knowing Smokey Joe i think would work, he is (i think) what Saskia from LAGPR call a buddha pig, he is so gentle i think he would love a little one, when Gizmo was ill he was constantly licking around his eyes and trying to comfort him. I'm just lost now! x

 

[VickiA]

I’m part of a small rescue and I can’t advise strongly enough going onto a waiting list with a reputable rescue that does boar dating. Bringing any new pig in without a dating session could end in you having 2 solos and needing the space and set up for 2 cages. However if he is acutely pining then a very small baby boar may be the solution. It is still risky as the baby will hit his hormonal stage at some point and the bond may fail. if you are going down this route then you need a baby as young as possible. That way it will give them some time together to form a bond before the big hormone spike kicks in.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Breeders and pet shops come along the same lines and same risks though - unknown character is always there unless you can date and allow him to choose his own new friend.

Is he still eating and maintaining his weight? If so, then although he is going to be upset to be alone, you do have some time to gather your thoughts.
Have you tried contacting other rescues, even if they are further afield, to get on their lists?

 

[metalhead]

I’m part of a small rescue and I can’t advise strongly enough going onto a waiting list with a reputable rescue that does boar dating. Bringing any new pig in without a dating session could end in you having 2 solos and needing the space and set up for 2 cages. However if he is acutely pining then a very small baby boar may be the solution. It is still risky as the baby will hit his hormonal stage at some point and the bond may fail. if you are going down this route then you need a baby as young as possible. That way it will give them some time together to form a bond before the big hormone spike kicks in.

Thank you for the advice. He is not acutely pining yet but i think he will if i dont take action soon. if i go on a wait list it could be months until he finds a friend, and as you say, and as i said I'm my first post, I'm worried about the hormonal stage kicking in if i get a baby, i feel like i am between a rock and a hard place and i dont know what to do! x

 

[metalhead]

Breeders and pet shops come along the same lines and same risks though - unknown character is always there unless you can date and allow him to choose his own new friend.

Is he still eating and maintaining his weight? If so, then although he is going to be upset to be alone, you do have some time to gather your thoughts.
Have you tried contacting other rescues, even if they are further afield, to get on their lists?

He is still eating and maintaining his weight, and i have contacted rescues that are 3 hours away from me, but who knows how long it will take. He literally lives 2 ft away from my couch so he can always see me, but he needs a friend of his own kind. How long could he be alone for? How long do i have? x

 

[Piggies&buns]

It depends how he copes - if he is ok, eating well, albeit would welcome the company, then you may have plenty of time to find a friend via rescuing.
Don’t be disheartened, the rescues will hopefully get back to you in the next week or so and you will have a better idea of how things stand. If he is ok, then I would not rush into anything and instead give the rescues time to get back to you.

Have you considered neutering him? It would mean he wouldn’t be able to be with a sow for following six weeks while he would remain fertile, but it would greatly open his chances of finding a friend - he could then choose either sex. As long as the sow accepts the boar, then a mixed sex pair tends to be more stable long term

 

[metalhead]

It depends how he copes - if he is ok, eating well, albeit would welcome the company, then you may have plenty of time to find a friend via rescuing.
Don’t be disheartened, the rescues will hopefully get back to you in the next week or so and you will have a better idea of how things stand. If he is ok, then I would not rush into anything and instead give the rescues time to get back to you.

Have you considered neutering him? It would mean he wouldn’t be able to be with a sow for following six weeks while he would remain fertile, but it would greatly open his chances of finding a friend - he could then choose either sex. As long as the sow accepts the boar, then a mixed sex pair tends to be more stable long term

So, in a nutshell, unless he stops eating and drinking, i have time, if he stops eating and drinking i should get a baby asap? (as well as getting him checked by vet obviously!) have i got that right? I dont want to risk the anesthetic for a neuter really.

 

[Piggies&buns]

So, in a nutshell, unless he stops eating and drinking, i have time, if he stops eating and drinking i should get a baby asap? (as well as getting him checked by vet obviously!) have i got that right? I dont want to risk the anesthetic for a neuter really.

Yes. Unless a piggy goes into acute pining (which is rare) and stops eating, becomes very withdrawn etc, then take your time to find the right friend, particularly if you don’t have the space for them to live side by side if an on spec bonding fails.
If he does go into acute pining, then it becomes about his needs and you may need to get a a new friend asap.

Thats fair enough. An anaesthetic is never a nice thing to have to think about putting them through particularly if it is an elective surgery.
My older rabbit had a tumour 18 months ago and at his advanced years I was terrified of the anaesthetic to remove the tumour given his advanced years. It had to be done though. Thankfully he sailed through and is about to celebrate his 9th birthday!
I have a four year old boar pair and do wish I had had them neutered when they were younger so that the one left behind could immediately go with a new piggy of either sex. It’s something which I do think about every day and wonder whether I should just get them neutered now anyway. If I get a young boar again then I would have them neutered straight off so they are future-proofed.

 

[metalhead]

Yes. If a piggy goes into acute pining (which is rare) and stops eating, becomes very withdrawn etc, then take your time to find the right friend, particularly if you don’t have the space for them to live side by side if an on spec bonding fails.
If he does go into acute pining, then it becomes about his needs and you may need to get a a new friend asap.

Thats fair enough. An anaesthetic is never a nice thing to have to think about putting them through particularly if it is an elective surgery.
My older rabbit had a tumour 18 months ago and at his advanced years I was terrified of the anaesthetic to remove the tumour given his advanced years. It had to be done though. Thankfully he sailed through and is about to celebrate his 9th birthday!
I have a four year old boar pair and do wish I had had them neutered when they were younger so that the one left behind could immediately go with a new piggy of either sex. It’s something which I do think about every day and wonder whether I should just get them neutered now anyway. If I get a young boar again then I would have them neutered straight off so they are future-proofed.

Thanks. Hindsight is a wonderful thing! and i totally agree, live and learn! i happy about your bun, wish him happy birthday from me! I have emailed @furryfriends (TEAS) to ask to be placed on their wait list, and put an appeal on FB rescue page, hopefully i have time and can find him the right mate, its so hard to think straight when you are grieving yourself so much, thanks for your help x

 

[alpacasqueak]

So sorry you lost Gizmo
Good luck finding Smokey Joe a friend, wishing you both lots of luck and hope he can find himself a nice polite gentleman to join him very soon! x

 

[metalhead]

So sorry you lost Gizmo
Good luck finding Smokey Joe a friend, wishing you both lots of luck and hope he can find himself a nice polite gentleman to join him very soon! x

Ah thats kind, thank you. He really is a gentleman! I feel very sad right now x

 

[Claire W]

All the best with finding Smokey Joe a new friend. I would get your name down on as many rescues waiting lists as you can and see what is available before rushing out and buying baby from a pet shop of breeder especially as Smokey Joe isn't acutely pining but if he does start to go downhill with depression, then you may need to contact a pet shop or breeder. I know it's hard

 

[metalhead]

All the best with finding Smokey Joe a new friend. I would get your name down on as many rescues waiting lists as you can and see what is available before rushing out and buying baby from a pet shop of breeder especially as Smokey Joe isn't acutely pining but if he does start to go downhill with depression, then you may need to contact a pet shop or breeder. I know it's hard

Yes it is very hard, thank you for your reply. I have been emailing rescues all day yesterday and all morning this morning! Thanks again for your kindness

 

[alpacasqueak]

Ah thats kind, thank you. He really is a gentleman! I feel very sad right now x

I’ve been in the same position, a few years ago with my RB Jess when she lost her beloved Rupert (piggies in my avatar), they’d been together 6 years and she was utterly heartbroken (as well as me!), stopped eating and was very depressed. We then found my loopy Luigi (neutered) who moved in a couple of weeks later and thankfully she was much happier (after a bit of a temperamental bonding initially!).
It’s so tough when you’re grieving but having to search for a new piggy too Sending massive hugs and good luck wishes from me and my piglets x

 

[Claire W]

Yes it is very hard, thank you for your reply. I have been emailing rescues all day yesterday and all morning this morning! Thanks again for your kindness

I hope that the rescues get back to you. When I lost my first piggy, Connie, Eliza was left by herself. Thankfully, she was still eating and drinking but I was lucky enough to get her a friend from a rescue within two weeks and thankfully the bonding was a success and Eliza and Eleanor lived happily together until I adopted Erin and then Ena to make a foursome. Since then, I haven't been left with a single piggy. I am again up to 4 piggies (a neutered boar and 3 sows) but I really want a break from piggies as they all pass but I know I'll be left with a singleton so I am hoping the youngest three grow old together. It's hard when you're grieving and having to look for a friend Good luck x

 

[metalhead]

Thank you very much, i wish i could keep having them but like you i dont think i can, it hurts too much when they pass, hopefully i will hear soon and i can can him a friend sooner rather than later, a day is a long time in a piggy life! x

I hope that the rescues get back to you. When I lost my first piggy, Connie, Eliza was left by herself. Thankfully, she was still eating and drinking but I was lucky enough to get her a friend from a rescue within two weeks and thankfully the bonding was a success and Eliza and Eleanor lived happily together until I adopted Erin and then Ena to make a foursome. Since then, I haven't been left with a single piggy. I am again up to 4 piggies (a neutered boar and 3 sows) but I really want a break from piggies as they all pass but I know I'll be left with a singleton so I am hoping the youngest three grow old together. It's hard when you're grieving and having to look for a friend Good luck x

 

[Claire W]

Thank you very much, i wish i could keep having them but like you i dont think i can, it hurts too much when they pass, hopefully i will hear soon and i can can him a friend sooner rather than later, a day is a long time in a piggy life! x

It does hurt when they pass I hope you can get him a friend sooner rather than later x