Does Bailey need a friend?

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TheGaffer

Ok, we've had Bailey over a month now, he's 6 years old and was previosly living with a rabbit.

He get's several hours of floor time and lap time each day. Although he's not keen on running about, he just likes to lay down and get comfy, which I'm guessing is due to his age.

But I've been concerned that he might be lonely, when he's in his cage he's constanly peering over the plastic base to see us and see what we're doing.

Do you think he would benefit from having a friend? He's not neutured and given his age I wouldn't risk putting him through it. So his partner would have to be a boar. I've read lots of stuff about difficulties in pairing boars. Do you think he would pair with a young boar?

Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated....

Thanks,

Nicola
 
I have a 5yrish old boy who like your old boy comes out twice a day, usually as you say to just lay somewhere different! I have often wondered if he is lonely, he has outlived two partners whom I have to say he wasn't really that bothered with, didn't do cuddles etc and I also have a cage with a pair of youngsters in, that he is vaguely interested in, I did try him with a baby when I got them but he just wasn't interested at all with such a tiny thing! But I often wonder if he is actually lonely. Sometimes he looks a bit wistful when he's sitting there but when he goes near the other cage he just teases them up to the bars and then saunters off for a snooze, so I really dont think in my case he is lonely. I have thought of a 3rd friend for him but because he is 5-6 ish I worry that the new friend may get left and then it would be the whole cycle again. Its difficult isn't it?
 
Guinea pigs are social creatures, so he very well may be lonely. I would try and see how he reacts with other guinea pigs, and if he is nasty or they don't get along, he doesn't need a buddy. If he's really happy, get him a buddy. If you do get him a friend, I would get two baby boars. That way, when he goes to rainbow bridge you won't have to worry about another lonely pig or introductions or anything.

Kimmie
 
i second kimmie's advice, two young boars sounds ideal to me really!

*modification* missed the L off of 'ideal'
 
Actually, Bailey is cosidered an elder in the gp world.. but just b/c he's elderly doesn't mean he likes to be alone. All gp's are social and love to have company.. If I were you trying to get bailey a friend.. i would probably choose a younger male.. maybe even as young as 2-3 months. Sometimes younger males & older males bond so much nicer than older to older & younger to younger. Its almost like a father-figure type thing. If anything, getting bailey a friend would help him. And you're right, don't get him fixed NOW in life. That surgery has a low success rate as is, especially over 4 years old.

anyway - good luck! O0
 
We partnered our Sammy with a younger adult boar last September, when Sam was 4 and Roo (his new friend) was nearly 2. This has worked out really well. Sam had previously lived with his brother Snug, who died in August, and was visibly depressed being on his own. Having a new friend really cheered him up.
It took us about three weeks to bond them, but they have become really good friends.
I think the fact that Sam is an 'older' boar (now 5) has made the friendship stronger because if Roo does go through one of the 'dominance' moods, Sam just ignores it, whereas a younger boar might feel the need to retaliate.
 
hello i have 5 rescue guinea pigs 2 sows and 3 one that has to be kept on his own due to him not liking other boars and being to old to be neutred has it would risk his life,he likes to come out and play on the floor with them but will not live with them but they all look at us between the bar of their cage i think they are looking to see if they are any fruit or veg coming there way so i am sure he is happy has if sounds like you give him lots of attention best wishes joanne.
 
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