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puddinchops

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Hello, I've come to the very difficult decision of having to surrender one of my guinea pigs and will have to find a friend for the other. As much as I've tried, they will not bond again after having a fall out that ended with one bleeding. I'm so upset.

I don't have the space to have more guinea pigs or to get two cages for them to live alongside each other. My understanding is that they'd be better with a friend in with them rather than being separate anyway?

I've spoken to different rescues but I'm getting different advice. One tells me to get them neutered - but I've read on here this will not change their behaviour towards each other? Another told me they would take one and if I get the other neutered they will bond him with a female. The 3rd rescue told me they would take one and that I can go and do a guinea pig playdate with the other and hopefully find him a friend in the process. Has anyone got any advice? Is there any hope of successfully find one a friend?

Ive then got to make what feels like the impossible decision of deciding which I surrender. I've no idea what to do or how to do it. I'm truly gutted 😢
 
I’m so sorry for your difficult decision. It’s not easy but it is an act of love.

How old are they?
I ask because if you are dealing with a teenage boar, then neutering is a good option. It’s not a bad option to have them neutered while they are young and healthy and can withstand the surgery. He can then look for either a boar or a sow friend - opening up his options in finding a friend. He can still be neutered and live with a boar.
Bonding two boars together is absolutely fine, and dating at a rescue is the safest way to do it to ensure you get a good match before bringing a new piggy home, but bonding a teenage boar with another boar can be more tricky, but not impossible, due to hormones.

Neutering will not make any difference to the ability to bond two boars, all it does is prevent pregnancy. Character compatibility and mutual liking is the deciding factor on whether a bond will work and that goes for a boar or a sow bonding.

- Ensure he is not put with a sow within the first he is six weeks post surgery as he will still be fertile.
- Once a boar has lived with a sow, they are not likely to want to go back to living with a boar in the future. Going back to a bachelor pair can be seen as a downward step for them.

A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)
 
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Piggies&buns said:
I’m so sorry for your difficult decision. It’s not easy but it is an act of love.

How old are they?
I ask because if you are dealing with a teenage boar, then neutering is a good option. It’s not a bad option to have them neutered while they are young and healthy and can withstand the surgery. He can then look for either a boar or a sow friend - opening up his options in finding a friend. He can still be neutered and live with a boar.
Bonding two boars together is absolutely fine, and dating at a rescue is the safest way to do it to ensure you get a good match before bringing a new piggy home, but bonding a teenage boar with another boar can be more tricky, but not impossible, due to hormones.

Neutering will not make any difference to the ability to bond two boars, all it does is prevent pregnancy. Character compatibility and mutual liking is the deciding factor on whether a bond will work and that goes for a boar or a sow bonding.

- Ensure he is not put with a sow within the first he is six weeks post surgery as he will still be fertile.
- Once a boar has lived with a sow, they are not likely to want to go back to living with a boar in the future. Going back to a bachelor pair can be seen as a downward step for them.

A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for replying. I think they are probably around 4 months old at a guess. I'm not sure. I got them from pets at home and they are my first guinea pigs. All the research I did on looking after them, everything they need etc. never prepared me for this. I wish I had the understanding I have now on pairing and how a rescue is a much better option. I guess you live and learn. Now I'm just trying to do right by them.

How long would you expect a rescue to try bonding/pairing them? The Guinea pig playdate I've been offered gives me the impression that its a quick meet up and go which doesn't feel like enough time?
 
puddinchops said:
Thanks so much for replying. I think they are probably around 4 months old at a guess. I'm not sure. I got them from pets at home and they are my first guinea pigs. All the research I did on looking after them, everything they need etc. never prepared me for this. I wish I had the understanding I have now on pairing and how a rescue is a much better option. I guess you live and learn. Now I'm just trying to do right by them.

How long would you expect a rescue to try bonding/pairing them? The Guinea pig playdate I've been offered gives me the impression that its a quick meet up and go which doesn't feel like enough time?
Click to expand...

Hi!

Is one of the rescues one of our recommended and carefully vetted good welfare standard ones?
Please take the time to take the time to read the guide link below so you understand a bit better where the different rescues are coming from and judge them better as to the welfare and knowledge level they are operating on. It is unfortunately a bit of a minefield out there.
The rescue that has in my eyes given you the best welfare compatible answer was the second rescue (following RSPCA/Blue Cross standard policy of neutering any boars and pairing them up with sows whether it is with surrendered piggies or with bereaved/fallen piggies looking to find new companionship).
Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs

Have you considered whether you can afford keeping two cages on top of each other? Having to make a choice between them is a horrible thing for any responsible owner.
 
So sorry that you have come to this difficult decision but it’s clearly made out of love.
I can’t add to the advice you’ve been given but offer support and the hope that things will work out well.
Surrendering your piggy will feel like a bereavement so allow yourself time to grieve.
 
I’m sorry you have to make such a hard decision. I was also wondering if you feel you have the time and money for two pairs, in stacked cages? That way you wouldn’t have to choose which ones to give up. Also, how much space do you have where their current cage is? Could you arrange two cages in an L shape perhaps?…
 
Merab's Slave said:
So sorry that you have come to this difficult decision but it’s clearly made out of love.
I can’t add to the advice you’ve been given but offer support and the hope that things will work out well.
Surrendering your piggy will feel like a bereavement so allow yourself time to grieve.
Click to expand...
Thankyou so much for your kind words. Every rescue I've spoken to I've ended up crying and felt completely ridiculous, but you're right it does feel like a bereavement.
 
puddinchops said:
Thankyou so much for your kind words. Every rescue I've spoken to I've ended up crying and felt completely ridiculous, but you're right it does feel like a bereavement.
Click to expand...
Letting a beloved piggy go is a bereavement process, as I know from my own (thankfully few) experiences.

Which county are you in (so we may be able to help you better) and could you look at an option that allows you to stack two cages? Often you can work around a problem by thinking laterally (or in this case, vertically).

This was my own set up at one point, making use of cheap Ikea tables. The 75x150cm tables go into the footprint of a 2x4 C&C cage; I just lift them a little with my shoulder when cleaning the lower cages.
This is just one possibility out of many. There are other options that don't cost the world, either.
IMG_2111_edited-1.webp
 
Wiebke said:
Letting a beloved piggy go is a bereavement process, as I know from my own (thankfully few) experiences.

Which county are you in (so we may be able to help you better) and could you look at an option that allows you to stack two cages? Often you can work around a problem by thinking laterally (or in this case, vertically).

This was my own set up at one point, making use of cheap Ikea tables. The 75x150cm tables go into the footprint of a 2x4 C&C cage; I just lift them a little with my shoulder when cleaning the lower cages.
This is just one possibility out of many. There are other options that don't cost the world, either.
View attachment 194300
Click to expand...
Thanks for this. After making my way to the rescue the other day (to surrender one and let them start bonding my other) I got there, was there for the best part of an hour and ended up coming home with both my Guinea Pigs! oops! Who need space in the house eh? Still working it out but they are both staying with me and will live side by side in a similar set up to your picutres. Even seperated they both keep popcorning and zooming around the cage so I can only assume they are happy - as am I.

Thanks to all who replied :)
 
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