Concerns about getting JoJo a friend?

[Cazzie Bliss]

I don't know if this is the right place as it's been a very long time since I've been active here.

As some may know, one of my boys passed away yesterday which has left his brother alone. As they've been together since birth I feel utterly heartbroken from him being all alone.
I know I need to get him a friend, but it begs the question of when is the right time? I'm afraid that he won't get along with another boar as he's quite a timid little guy but he can be pretty dominant when he wants. I would hate to bring home another little guy and JoJo despises him which would result in two boys that are alone if that makes sense...

What age guinea pig would be more likely to bond with him do you think? JoJo will be 2 in July. Do I grab another baby or find someone his own age? I've never had to deal with this and then part of me doesn't want to replace the boy I lost but I know that JoJo cannot stay alone forever for I am just a human, not a guinea pig. I do not speak his language

If this is the wrong place, I can move it or delete it ... sorry.

 

[Wiebke]

I don't know if this is the right place as it's been a very long time since I've been active here.

As some may know, one of my boys passed away yesterday which has left his brother alone. As they've been together since birth I feel utterly heartbroken from him being all alone.
I know I need to get him a friend, but it begs the question of when is the right time? I'm afraid that he won't get along with another boar as he's quite a timid little guy but he can be pretty dominant when he wants. I would hate to bring home another little guy and JoJo despises him which would result in two boys that are alone if that makes sense...

What age guinea pig would be more likely to bond with him do you think? JoJo will be 2 in July. Do I grab another baby or find someone his own age? I've never had to deal with this and then part of me doesn't want to replace the boy I lost but I know that JoJo cannot stay alone forever for I am just a human, not a guinea pig. I do not speak his language

If this is the wrong place, I can move it or delete it ... sorry.

Hi and welcome back!

Jojo is just on the verge of becoming an adult and coming out of his teenage months. The best way of finding him a friend he can choose and where you come home with only if acceptance has happened is by dating Jojo at a good standard rescue that offers this service. Incidentally, you also have the assurance that you are bringing home a healthy, fully quarantined and properly sexed piggy and you have the rescue to fall back on if things don't work out to plan.
Your closest place would be likely Woodgreen in Godmanchester. Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues

The timing depends on whether Jojo's companion has died from an infectious problem and whether Jojo is pining acutely (not eating drinking/drinking and face to the wall) or whether he is hanging in there. In the latter case, he will keep for a few weeks while you do your research.

Alternatively and if you have access to a good vet, you could consider having Jojo neutered so he can live with a sow or two (pending their initial accpetance); a cross gender bond is the most stable of all. This would however include a 6 weeks post-op safety wait, but it is worth considering if you struggle with rescue access. Jojo is at an ideal age.

Please take the time to read these guides here; you will find them very helpful as they answer a lot of your questions and more!
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths And Facts

 

[Cazzie Bliss]

Hi and welcome back!

Jojo is just on the verge of becoming an adult and coming out of his teenage months. The best way of finding him a friend he can choose and where you come home with only if acceptance has happened is by dating Jojo at a good standard rescue that offers this service. Incidentally, you also have the assurance that you are bringing home a healthy, fully quarantined and properly sexed piggy and you have the rescue to fall back on if things don't work out to plan.
Your closest place would be likely Woodgreen in Godmanchester. Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues

The timing depends on whether Jojo's companion has died from an infectious problem and whether Jojo is pining acutely (not eating drinking/drinking and face to the wall) or whether he is hanging in there. In the latter case, he will keep for a few weeks while you do your research.

Alternatively and if you have access to a good vet, you could consider having Jojo neutered so he can live with a sow or two (pending their initial accpetance); a cross gender bond is the most stable of all. This would however include a 6 weeks post-op safety wait, but it is worth considering if you struggle with rescue access. Jojo is at an ideal age.

Please take the time to read these guides here; you will find them very helpful as they answer a lot of your questions and more!
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths And Facts

I'm not sure how JoJo would handle almost a 2 hour drive but I would very much prefer him to pick out his own friend.

I honestly do not know how his brother passed. It was very sudden. He was fine the night before and then was gone in the morning... JoJo is drinking but doesn't seem to be eating.

I do have 3 sows already so neutering is an option also. Thank you for the guides x

 

[Wiebke]

I'm not sure how JoJo would handle almost a 2 hour drive but I would very much prefer him to pick out his own friend.

I honestly do not know how his brother passed. It was very sudden. He was fine the night before and then was gone in the morning... JoJo is drinking but doesn't seem to be eating.

I do have 3 sows already so neutering is an option also. Thank you for the guides x

Piggies travel surprisingly well. I have done this distance on the train to date for a new large group husboar with three of my sows (the two top brass and my iffiest girl) and have travelled much further to adopt guinea pigs from further afield and have travelled even further with guinea pigs on medication for a holiday when my holiday cover fell through at the last minute. the last was an over 6 hours drive each way. Neither sow took any harm and both have lived happily to a ripe old age!
Travelling with guinea pigs

If you have two sows already, I would most strongly recommend to move Jojo right next to them for company; that should perk him up and prevent him becoming depressed as long as he can interact with them through the bars at all times. The longer they get to know each other, the better your chances of acceptance and the more time you have to explore your options without the pressure of finding a new friend in a hurry while you yourself are still in shock.

A sudden death is always totally upsetting, but it is generally not caused by an infectious disease; most often it is a heart attack or stroke. They can happen at any time of the life unfortunately if a piggy is born with a genetic disposition.

You are welcome to post a tribute to the boy you have lost in our Rainbow Bridge section if or whenever it feels right for you.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Don’t worry about piggies travelling, they do surprisingly well. My two boys travel from Cornwall via Northampton to North Yorkshire which is 400 miles and are fine. We leave them in their cage and cover with a sheet. Put in plenty of veggies and hay, lumps of cucumber. vetbed in their beds which is nice and soft. They eat and chill out and even wander around the cage! We keep the air con on cool and they are fine x