Bonding my bereaved guinea pig

[Nicole1109]

My little Bailey was put down yesterday. He'd been in and out of the vets for weeks and had lost loads of weight. The vet decided if they operated he probably wouldn't survive because of how underweight he was so we sadly had to say goodbye.

I'm now worried about Guinness who has been left on his own. He doesnt seem massively effected at the moment but I know he will need a new cage mate. He's only two so I don't think it's fair to keep him on his own. He hasn't been neutered so I'm keen to get another boy.

I've read mixed reviews about it being harder to bond boys or whether or not it's just a myth. In an ideal world I'd like to take him to a rescue and see if they can bond him but unfortunately I don't have any near me. I think I'm going to have to buy another one and try and bond them myself. Luckily I do have a spare cage I can use for a new one.

I've never had to do this before, I got Guinness and Bailey together so they had already bonded. Has anyone been through this that can advise me on how best to bond new guinea pigs and what I should do if they don't get on? I don't want to be stuck with a second guinea pig that Guinness doesn't get on with.

Also how long should I leave it before getting a new one? I've read the longer you leave it the harder they are to bond but I'm also going on holiday in a couple of weeks and Guinness is staying with a friend, I don't want to then put that friend in a situation where she may have to separate fighting guinea pigs!

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Angelb]

Hello, I’m so sorry for your loss by the way, I myself have been put in this situation as well and getting a new animal right away can be tough. As guinea pigs are social animal I would advise you to get another one as soon as possible, the longer you wait it will probably make the transition harder for your pig. As far as bonding goes, I would set up a play pen with some snacks and introduce the two pigs. They probably will run after each other and nip a bit but it is normal, as long as no blood is drawn or one of them is squealing in pain don’t get in the middle, it’s just them asserting dominance. You will probably need to have the two pigs in separate cages for a couple of days as well, but the play pen is neutral ground for them and eating together will bond them (it worked a ton with my pigs haha!). As far as picking out a new pig, get one that is definitely smaller then your existing pig, it will make the transition for Guinness easier. I know where you are coming from, I’ve lost my guinea pig about a month ago and had to get them another friend. Now I have 3 haha!

 

[KathT]

You could contact a rescue that does boar dating, where they will offer up different boars to find one he gets on with. This will help prevent you getting a boar that he won’t bond with and end up having two separate boars.

 

[Bill & Ted]

So sorry that you have lost Bailey, sending hugs x
Sleep tight little one x

Boar dating at a rescue is the way to go.is there any chance of booking him in for boar dating at a rescue while you are away?