Bonding A Blind Bereaved Boar

[emma_edinburgh]

Hi everyone

I am looking for a little advice on the best new companion for a recently bereaved boar. Larry is an older boar (4 - 5) and when I first adopted him and Boris, Larry was clearly the alpha of the two. However he has since gone blind and in the last few months Boris has taken over the position helping him during feeding times and letting Larry follow after him during floor time.

Now that Boris has died I am not sure of the best age and personality type that I should be looking out for for adopting a new companion for Larry - any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

 

[Gem789]

Hi everyone

I am looking for a little advice on the best new companion for a recently bereaved boar. Larry is an older boar (4 - 5) and when I first adopted him and Boris, Larry was clearly the alpha of the two. However he has since gone blind and in the last few months Boris has taken over the position helping him during feeding times and letting Larry follow after him during floor time.

Now that Boris has died I am not sure of the best age and personality type that I should be looking out for for adopting a new companion for Larry - any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

I’m very sorry for your loss.Have you looked at the rescue locator on this site? That would be the best way to let Larry decide who he’d like to be his new friend at a rescue that does boar dating x

 

[emma_edinburgh]

I’m very sorry for your loss.Have you looked at the rescue locator on this site? That would be the best way to let Larry decide who he’d like to be his new friend at a rescue that does boar dating x

Thanks for the advice.
There’s a couple of boars at local SSPCA centres (although they all say they haven’t got on with others hence the need for adoption) but I will see if they would let Larry meet with them to see if they might get on.

The centres are quite a way away. Do you think a long drive might make Larry too stressed to be himself and make friends?

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for the advice.
There’s a couple of boars at local SSPCA centres (although they all say they haven’t got on with others hence the need for adoption) but I will see if they would let Larry meet with them to see if they might get on.

The centres are quite a way away. Do you think a long drive might make Larry too stressed to be himself and make friends?

Hi!
I am very sorry for your loss!

If you can date Larry, that would be best; he needs to find a gentle friend that does not bully him.
Because he is a special needs piggy, you may also try to contact North East Guinea Pig Rescue in South Shields/Newcastle. They rehome into the South of Scotland, but may be prepared to go that bit further in your case.

Guinea pigs travel quite well over large distances. I have rehomed piggies from as far as North East GPR, Gretna Green, Wales (North, South and Midwales), the South Coast and even taken in older piggies from the Channel Islands, who'd been travelling for several days in an emergency case (the oldest piggy from that haul was 9 years old!)

What I would recommend is to use a fleece with Larry's smell on in his carrier, so he feels more at home. Soft hay will also help to calm down a piggy. Keep talking to him and offer him a veg meal not long before you set off, so he is full and sleepy during the trip and won't dehydrate. Please bring a separate conveyance for the other boy for the return trip and introduce on neutral ground again at home.
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
Travelling with guinea pigs