Best new friend/s for recent singleton

[Boarworld]

Hello,

I had two gorgeous boys, until sadly I had to have put out to sleep today. We are all heartbroken. The boys were twins, only 18 months old and bar the odd teenage niggle we’re bonded and happy together.

So I now have a single, uncastrated boar who is 18m old who I will need to find company for. I am wondering what would be best for him, can anyone help? We have more than adequate cage space for two sows in with him, or a single boar.

I don’t know where to start - we got the boys together and they always rubbed along nicely. Any suggestions welcome, I don’t want my remaining boy to become sad and lonely!

Thanks.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m so sorry for your loss.

Either option is viable.
Of course, he would bees to be neutered and have the six week post op wait before you could find him some sows. This means potentially a long time alone before getting new friend. However if he is coping ok alone then this wait is perfectly doable.
If he isn’t ok by himself then that wait may be too much so finding a boar can obviously mean he can have a new friend much more quickly.

Either way, the best way to find a new friend (if either sex) is with the help of a rescue centre. They will help ensure compatibility (with the sows having to accept your boar, not the other way around) and a successful bond.
If a rescue centre isn’t an option and you have to buy piggies, then have a back up plan that if the bonding fails they would have to live side by side. Getting a boar or sow(s) younger than your boy has the best chance, not guaranteed) of success due to to them not being able to compete with your older for dominance.

 

[Boarworld]

Thank you.

Would I still need to have him neutered if the sows were spayed? I can have him neutered of course, however I’m thinking if I could find spayed sows in a rescue then it might be that they could be bonded sooner - or does it not work like that?

We will definitely look at adopting/rescuing over buying, it’s a big preference but will buy if we need to over leaving him too long and him potentially becoming sad. It’s only been a day so too early to judge how well he’s getting on but he is eating and drinking and having lots of attention and cuddles. Luckily the children break up from school today, so he will have more human company than usual over the next six weeks although obviously that doesn’t make up for a lack of a piggy friend.

 

[Piggies&buns]

He would not need to be neutered if sows were spayed but the chances of you finding spayed sows in a rescue are very low so not something you should hang your hopes on. You would do better to get him neutered asap and start the six week wait process if you are set on sows rather than a boar.
Sows are really only spayed if there has been a medical need to do so ie the sow has had ovarian cysts

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

I am ever so sorry for your loss. We have got a Rainbow Bridge section if it would help you with your grieving process to leave a tribute.
If you would like some personalised understanding community support for yourself, we do have an End of Life and Bereavement Support section.

As to your question: Either way is perfectly fine. Either has their distinct pros and cons. Ultimately it all hinges on the interpigsonal dynamics, which you can never predict, as well as your local 'on the ground' options re. access to an experienced piggy operating vet, the availability of (younger) sows or finding an ideally more laid-back/submissive boar companion.

While boars generally mellow with old age once the testosterone runs out, sows are actually becoming more difficult since their own high hormone output never throttles down.
If you want to go down the neutering route, it is worth keeping this in mind - acceptance is usually guaranteed from most sub-adult sows while their own biological urges are strongest but least with older sows past the natural pup-bearing age of around 3 years. Babies under 4 months have an overwhelming urge to 'belong' and to be looked after by an elder or a group.

You may find these guides here helpful in thinking things through:
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars (see chapter about companionship)
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs

Contains a chapter on challenges specific to bereaved piggies and also a chapter on how to spot when a single is conferring their own social species needs onto you:
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities

 

[Boarworld]

Ah ok, gotcha! Thanks.

I’m not opposed to another boar, just trying to figure out options and what will be best/least likely to cause issues. I know there are no guarantees whichever we go for though. Argh.

The hunt begins!

 

[Wiebke]

Ah ok, gotcha! Thanks.

I’m not opposed to another boar, just trying to figure out options and what will be best/least likely to cause issues. I know there are no guarantees whichever we go for though. Argh.

The hunt begins!

It is unfortunately not as easy as it looks and there is no right answer. Have a look around as to what your local options are and then consider which way may be best for you.

What looks perfect on paper may not work out in reality, as I have not rarely found myself.