Boar And Sow Bonding?

[Kirsty]

Hi there
My guinea pig max lives alone at the moment and today I sent him guinea pig dating with three different male guinea pigs. And all we're a unsuccessful partnerships! they just didn't like max and max would run away from them scared and wouldn't like it all which was so upsetting so it was recommended to me to get him neutered and get a female giinea pig as they always work together and don't fall out? what do you all Think? Should I do this? he's lonely on his own and hates it I can tell, this is how I caught him sleeping the other day, he looked miserable really need to no if it's going to work! Otherwise don't want to put him through it...

 

[Wiebke]

Max is a gorgeous boy! As boar dating is not working out, neutering would be the next logical option.

I have currently four neutered boars living with a harem each, and they are all very happy. Two are very dominant, one is very timid (and has been adoring his rather forceful cataract ladies - that is when he's not hiding behind them!) and #4 has turned out to be a perfect nurse/daddy for a trio of mischievous sanctuary baby sisters.

The vital bit about neutering is finding a vet that is well practised in neutering or small animal operations to cut down on the risk of mainly post op complications. We have got a piggy savvy UK vet locator on the top bar.
After the operation, you need to factor in another 6 weeks post wait until max is 100% safe to go with girls. I have the surprise baby courtesy of a supposedly safe over 5 weeks post op boar living with me, so it can really happen as late as that! Again, I would recommend to go dating at a rescue, but look for rather laid back or younger sows.

As neutering is an elective surgery, it is always a major step since you can never completely exclude all risk. But seeing how happy my four boys are, it has certainly been worth it for them!

 

[Gizi]

Poor Max!
Hope you find him a friend soon!

 

[Kirsty]

Thank you for the advice, I do think it's a good option I'm just worried with the hole putting him in surgery, I would be devastated if I put him through that and it still didn't work out :-/ and thank you he is rather cute bless him! He's just so innocent that every other male pig takes advantage of him and bullies him!

 

[Wiebke]

My Terfel was one of them, too - and with good reason after having been rescued from a shedload full of fighting boars... He was one of the badly bulied ones.
But he's had three very happy years as a "husboar" so far!

Take your time to do your research into finding a good vet you trust. if one of the rescues that you have been to for dating also has neutered boars, it would be a good start to contact them about which vet they are using.

 

[Kirsty]

Ahh it's sad isn't it poor pigs! I've already asked and If I go through with it which I'm pretty sure I am going to then I will be using the vet that the rescue use I've got the number and stuff already

 

[biscandmatt]

poor little man. my ches was bullied by boys aswell as he was just too soft and gentle. he adored having his wife maisie. i agree with finding a really good vet and getting him neutered. it seems like the next option. i know that all procedures carry risks, but a neuter with an experienced vet should be routine and straight forward. if he's sad and won't bond with boars, then i don't think you have much choice really, as it seems he would be unhappy alone? lots of luck and i hope the neuter goes well if that is what you opt for.

 

[Kirsty]

Thank you it's great hearing peoples experiences makes me no that I'm not the only one who going through it all! if there's any other advice or experiences people would like to share please do it's a great help and reassurance for myself that max will find companionship with a female pig!

 

[Jess]

Aw bless he look likes my Rory I hope you find him a friend

I found Rory on Preloved and he was being sold as they lady was a breeder and had no use for him, I got him neutered in the hopes of him going in with my five, it didn't work out as they established and wouldn't accept him, I then went to a local rescue and found my Abigail and Maggie they are very laid back and accepted the little monkey without an issue. He's a horny devil and gets told off quite frequently.

All the best he is gorgeous!