Bereaved piggy

[Kellie]

Hi we are new to the forum, originally posted on another as was unsure how to create a thread.
Very sadly we lost our lovely cloud a few days ago he was 11 months old and had a seizure. We dearly miss him as does his brother Elmo. Cloud has been sent for cremation so will be home soon
Elmo is okay, he is eating and drinking even pop corned when I came home yesterday however we have noticed he is chatting then obviously no one is talking back then he is going to his bed and looks terribly sad.
I know he needs a companion but we do not want to put him through the trauma of neutering. No local rescues are offering bonding either any suggestions if we should perhaps get a young boar or an older boar? Our concern with an older one is that they may not be used to living inside, they may already have a strong personality and Elmo is very calm and gentle. Cloud was definitely the dominant out of our two brothers.
Thank you for reading.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry for your loss.

As I said in your other post, any bond comes down to character compatibility and age is much less of a factor . A younger boar can be accepted as they can’t challenge the hierarchy but there is never a guarantee particularly as Elmo is still a teenager himself.

We would still recommend that you rescue another boar even if you can’t date them. All you can do is try to bond another piggy with him and see what happens. When it comes to bonding, it either works or it doesn’t.
The benefit of rescuing is that if the bonding fails then you would likely have the option to return the new piggy and try another.
If you cannot return a piggy and the bonding does fail (ie you’ve bought from a pet shop for example), then you would need two side by side cages so they can interact through the bars only.

You don’t need to worry about a piggy not being used to being inside. They will get used to it.

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

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

 

[Kellie]

Thank you I wasn't aware you may be able to return then and try another however I think I'd be heartbroken to do that so would likely keep even if it fails in the second cage, luckily we have the adaptable c&g cages so would work in both our rooms I just love having Elmo in our living room with us, he also likes it as he can hear the fridge door open and calls for his snacks
I was hoping to date Elmo so that he could choose as we would love any piggy but it's most important for Elmo to have that bond. I will contact some rescues again and ask their policies as they are unable to offer bonding. Sadly I think it's because they are too overwhelmed

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
It does take a while to work out how to do things but there’s always someone to help.
Glad you have figured out how to create a new thread.

I am so sorry for your loss.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
I think it’s lovely that you are thinking of Elmo’s need for companionship while you are still grieving.

I can’t add anything to the advice @Piggies&buns has given you about another companion.
Hope you can find a suitable companion for Elmo

 

[Kellie]

Welcome to the forum.
It does take a while to work out how to do things but there’s always someone to help.
Glad you have figured out how to create a new thread.

I am so sorry for your loss.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
I think it’s lovely that you are thinking of Elmo’s need for companionship while you are still grieving.

I can’t add anything to the advice @Piggies&buns has given you about another companion.
Hope you can find a suitable companion for Elmo

Thank you for your guidance and kindness, it is very tough as cloud was so young we expected to see them go grey or in clouds case more grey together however there was obviously other plans. I need to put Elmo before myself, we have this afternoon had a call from the crematorium and they have confirmed I can collect cloud on Friday so that has given us great comfort that our boy will soon be home and will be a part of ours and Elmo's lives going forward. We have been offered a meeting also for Elmo kindly by a charity about an hour and a half drive so fingers crossed.
Thank you again for your support in this forum I wish we had found you days ago x

 

[jayne]

I'm sorry for your loss , I just loss mine due to an illness yesterday and hopefully his ashes will come back home soon R I P smudge and your guinea pig they probably met at the rainbow bridge

 

[Freela]

First off, I'm so sorry for your loss. ((HUGS)) to you. I have sows, which can be a bit easier to bond than boars, but I'm also in an area where rescue dating really isn't available (rescues aren't even easy to come by where I am.) I have had good luck by matching up very young pigs to my existing pigs, introducing them in a neutral area (we actually do new introductions in the bathtub with towels put down- there's lots of space, there's no corners, we put some food in the centre and a pig at either end), and then scrubbing the cage down completely before putting them in the cage so that the area seems neutral. We've had good luck because it really does come down to personality compatibility. Hopefully someone with more boar experience can come along and help you out, I just wanted to offer some support.

 

[Kellie]

I'm sorry for your loss , I just loss mine due to an illness yesterday and hopefully his ashes will come back home soon R I P smudge and your guinea pig they probably met at the rainbow bridge View attachment 213924

Oh I'm so sorry for your loss god bless smudge looks beautiful we have collected cloud today in a beautiful little urn so relieved to have him home but brought all the pain back. I hope you manage to find some comfort when Smudge is home. I do believe our piggies have another life and find one another. Lots of hugs x

 

[Kellie]

First off, I'm so sorry for your loss. ((HUGS)) to you. I have sows, which can be a bit easier to bond than boars, but I'm also in an area where rescue dating really isn't available (rescues aren't even easy to come by where I am.) I have had good luck by matching up very young pigs to my existing pigs, introducing them in a neutral area (we actually do new introductions in the bathtub with towels put down- there's lots of space, there's no corners, we put some food in the centre and a pig at either end), and then scrubbing the cage down completely before putting them in the cage so that the area seems neutral. We've had good luck because it really does come down to personality compatibility. Hopefully someone with more boar experience can come along and help you out, I just wanted to offer some support.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and reply. I have been told sows are easier and it sounds like your little ladies are very happy. Cloud is now home which we are pleased about however it's still raw and difficult. Elmo was very low we are the same unfortunately we don't have any rescues near us. Fortunately we found a little boar in need of a home, we placed him and Elmo in a pen for an hour and Elmo instantly loved him, we separated them for a while and again at night for 2 nights but Elmo kept calling for him so now 7 days later I have our beloved cloud home next to his brother cage and Elmo has taken on a brotherly role to Sun (we thought that an apt name after the clouds comes the sun in memory) thank you again for your kind thoughts x

 

[Free Ranger]

How lovely that these boys have now found each other
You've done so much to help them through a very difficult time. I hope there are happier times ahead for you all x

 

[Freela]

Awww, they look lovely. I hope that they are both very happy together. Many ((HUGS)) to you and your pigs.