Considering Introducing A New Boar? Help!

[Leo]

Hello! About four years ago I bought two male guinea pigs from a pet shop (I now understand that it is better to adopt from somewhere such as a shelter). They were from the same litter and they got on just fine. However, after about two years, one of them passed away and my other pig, Casper, has been living alone since. My parents have only recently agreed to let me get him a cage mate but I am unsure of how to go about it so I've come here for some advice.
I've read that if they are both boars, introducing a young guinea pig to an older one is easier, because the older pig won't feel threatened by the baby, is this true? What precautions would I need to take when introducing them?
Currently I am considering making a 2x4 c&c cage for them. Will this be large enough for two males?
Thank you!

 

[Lady Kelly]

Unfortunately its impossible to guess a bonding based on age. I'm not experienced with boars so I'm sure others will be along to comment on that soon. However, a good bond is more down to personality, if you can find a local rescue that offers boar bonding and allow Casper to pick his own friend then you are much more likely to end up with a stable bond. Best of luck in your search

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Yes it easier for an older boar to accept a younger male because he won't feel as threatened. However, you must bare in mind that a younger piggy could become a little bit more energetic and testing during the hormone months and there could be some scuffles. Some if these do result in the piggies needing separading while others calm down and their happy bond resumes. If you opt for a younger boar try to choose one with the opposite personality to your older boar as they're more likely to be compatible.

Older boars can also be bonded with boars of similar age- however to do this i would go to a rescue. Here your boar can choose his own friend and you'll get the peace of mind that their bond is most likely going to work.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello! About four years ago I bought two male guinea pigs from a pet shop (I now understand that it is better to adopt from somewhere such as a shelter). They were from the same litter and they got on just fine. However, after about two years, one of them passed away and my other pig, Casper, has been living alone since. My parents have only recently agreed to let me get him a cage mate but I am unsure of how to go about it so I've come here for some advice.
I've read that if they are both boars, introducing a young guinea pig to an older one is easier, because the older pig won't feel threatened by the baby, is this true? What precautions would I need to take when introducing them?
Currently I am considering making a 2x4 c&c cage for them. Will this be large enough for two males?
Thank you!

Hi and welcome!

There are sadly no good rescues that offer rescue dating for boars in your country.

Generally, it takes about 1-3 candidates with boars of any age to find a perfect match for boars at a rescue. Not every baby is a hit, but the rate of the two getting on is slightly higher and introductions are generaly easier. However, it means that the youngster has then go through his hormonal puberty where fall-outs can happen while he develops his adult identity.

It all depends on the personality mix when you bond any piggy with another, whatever the gender or age. They are every bit as complicated as putting two random humans together and expecting them to make a match of it!
If you have the chance of finding a more submissive/laid-back boy of any age, your chances of success are usually much higher, whether that is a baby or a bereaved boy. If I were you, I would rather look at the personality than the age if you have that option.

You also may want to consider the question of quarantining any guinea pig that has not undergone one in the place you got them from and if your own piggy has died from a potentially infective issue.
With babies in desperate need of company, this is always a toss up whether you want to risk having to treat both piggies if there is a transmitted problem.
Importance Of Quarantine