Advice on improving GPs life

[lyds]

Hi there, new to the forum.
I've recently moved in with my partner. He came with two guinea pigs which, whilst looked after, I fear were a lost interest of his kids.
One died a couple of weeks ago and his hutch mate is now alone. The remaining one is 5 years old and I'm keen to give him the best life possible and I'd appreciate advice on how best to do this.
My main questions are:
1. If he can't be rehomed, what do I need to look for in a new friend for him?
2. What are the top things (other than the obvious) that he should have in his hutch abd run?
3. How can I get him more used to humans so that I can take care of his grooming needs? He's long haired.
Any help appreciated as I've no experience but am commited to giving him the best life possible during his twilight years.
Thank you

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum

1. The only thing that matters when getting a new friend is character compatibility. Quite simply a bonding will fail if two piggies don’t have it.

The best and safest way to ensure compatibility is to speak to a rescue centre and get their help in finding a new friend. Not only will they ensure compatibility, you can also rest assured that piggy is properly sexed and healthy.

If a rescue isn’t possible and you have to buy a piggy from a shop (you would have to be certain of the sex the baby and check for yourself - don’t rely on shop staff to be correct) , then a baby boar might be accepted by your older piggy. Babies are looking for companionship and older piggies are often willing to nurture them. Babies can’t challenge the hierarchy so the older one remains in charge. However there are risks with this. Once a baby becomes a teenager (at 4 months old) they can start to challenge so while hopefully they would be bonded enough that a challenge wouldnt work, there is no guarantee of long term success. Equally, not all babies are accepted so a bond can fail within moments of putting the two piggies together.
With all that said, a baby is usually the best option and one most people in this situation go for if they cannot rescue a piggy.

If a bonding fails, then you would need to keep the piggies side by side in separate but adjoining cages so they could still interact between bars - unfortunately that’s very hard to achieve in a hutch).

A bonding is a specific process which must before on neutral territory. You cannot simply add a new piggy into the enclosure belonging to another piggy as it can cause an immediate fight.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated Bonding Dynamics and Behaviours

I’m aware that sounds doom and gloom when actually more pairs on this situation make it together than not but it’s important you’re aware.

2. While he is alone, mental stimulation is vital. Things like not using food bowls and instead scattering his one cup of veg per day and one tablespoon of pellets per day in amongst hay and all around his enclosure. This means they can use their natural foraging abilities to keeps his mind occupied

The guides below will also help

Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

I’ve also added this guide below in case he is on grass

Fresh Grass and Lawn Time - Tips for Avoiding Spring Time Deaths

3. In terms of handling, this one is not necessarily easy. It can take a long time to get them used to being handled and a lot of piggies never really like it. It does need to happen for the all important health checks, grooming and importantly the weekly weight checks.

I’ve added other guides below to cover all these aspects

Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips
New Guinea Pigs: How to Best Manage Arrival and Settling In
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pigs Safely (videos)
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support Levels

There is also a guide in looking after a grieving piggy

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

Do let us know if you have any other questions

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum

 

[lyds]

Welcome to the forum

1. The only thing that matters when getting a new friend is character compatibility. Quite simply a bonding will fail if two piggies don’t have it.

The best and safest way to ensure compatibility is to speak to a rescue centre and get their help in finding a new friend. Not only will they ensure compatibility, you can also rest assured that piggy is properly sexed and healthy.

If a rescue isn’t possible and you have to buy a piggy from a shop (you would have to be certain of the sex the baby and check for yourself - don’t rely on shop staff to be correct) , then a baby boar might be accepted by your older piggy. Babies are looking for companionship and older piggies are often willing to nurture them. Babies can’t challenge the hierarchy so the older one remains in charge. However there are risks with this. Once a baby becomes a teenager (at 4 months old) they can start to challenge so while hopefully they would be bonded enough that a challenge wouldnt work, there is no guarantee of long term success. Equally, not all babies are accepted so a bond can fail within moments of putting the two piggies together.
With all that said, a baby is usually the best option and one most people in this situation go for if they cannot rescue a piggy.

If a bonding fails, then you would need to keep the piggies side by side in separate but adjoining cages so they could still interact between bars - unfortunately that’s very hard to achieve in a hutch).

A bonding is a specific process which must before on neutral territory. You cannot simply add a new piggy into the enclosure belonging to another piggy as it can cause an immediate fight.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated Bonding Dynamics and Behaviours

I’m aware that sounds doom and gloom when actually more pairs on this situation make it together than not but it’s important you’re aware.

2. While he is alone, mental stimulation is vital. Things like not using food bowls and instead scattering his one cup of veg per day and one tablespoon of pellets per day in amongst hay and all around his enclosure. This means they can use their natural foraging abilities to keeps his mind occupied

The guides below will also help

Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

I’ve also added this guide below in case he is on grass

Fresh Grass and Lawn Time - Tips for Avoiding Spring Time Deaths

3. In terms of handling, this one is not necessarily easy. It can take a long time to get them used to being handled and a lot of piggies never really like it. It does need to happen for the all important health checks, grooming and importantly the weekly weight checks.

I’ve added other guides below to cover all these aspects

Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips
New Guinea Pigs: How to Best Manage Arrival and Settling In
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pigs Safely (videos)
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support Levels

There is also a guide in looking after a grieving piggy

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

Do let us know if you have any other questions

Wow, this is such a comprehensive and helpful response. Thank you. I really appreciate it.
We've managed to integrate our three cats and dog successfully so I think i have some understanding about the patience and care needed with integrating animals.
With regards to the hutch, I'll be getting a new one suitable for him/them to be outside over the warmer months (budget friendly suggestions welcome) and I'll look at options that will allow them to be close but separated. Would c&c work for this? Are there outdoors c&c options?
Thanks once again.

 

[Edam]

So great you are committed to giving the piggie a better life than he has had, he is lucky to have come into your care

 

[Piggies&buns]

Wow, this is such a comprehensive and helpful response. Thank you. I really appreciate it.
We've managed to integrate our three cats and dog successfully so I think i have some understanding about the patience and care needed with integrating animals.
With regards to the hutch, I'll be getting a new one suitable for him/them to be outside over the warmer months (budget friendly suggestions welcome) and I'll look at options that will allow them to be close but separated. Would c&c work for this? Are there outdoors c&c options?
Thanks once again.

A c&c does work well for separated piggies (indoors) but sadly there are no suitable outdoor options for separated piggies.

For an indoor c&c, two boys together need a 5x2 but if they have to be separated then each piggy needs at least a 3x2 (so a 6x2 split in half but ideally an 8x2 split in half so they can each have a 4x2).

A hutch for a boar pair needs to be 6ft x 2ft (single level, two storey hutches so not double living space) but unfortunately a hutch cant be split in half (splitting one means each half falls far below even minimum welfare standards). You also cannot put two hutches side by side (or in any configuration for that matter) as the solid sides block all interaction and/or other positioning means they can’t be touching and piggies cant see far in front of them thus removing any close interaction.

Therefore separated piggies would need to be inside in a c&c year round.

You can however have a 6 foot (some are 6x3ft others 6x4 ft) outdoor run and then split that in half for side by side supervised lawn time

A Chartwell hutch is the most recommended.
They aren’t cheap, but a cheap hutch won’t last long

While you always hope for the best when bonding, it is a good idea to have a back up plan in place.
The two boys I have left are a failed bond - originally together but their bond broke down after 9 weeks together.