Finding a buddy for Joey

JamesC

JamesC

New Born Pup
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Hi all

I've been reading the guides on this forum and they're amazing, but I can't help but feel a little overwhelmed and so just looking for some advice/support.

We lost our lovely 3 year old Monty yesterday, quite suddenly. Feels a bit odd thinking about replacing him so quickly whilst still so sad about Monty but that was the vets advice as it leaves our 2 1/2 year old Joey on his own.

This is Joey, lovely fluffball!

IMG_1572.webp

I like the idea of getting help with bonding, so we have tried the relatively local rescue 'Wheak and Squeak' listed on here, and another a bit further away in Portsmouth that isn't listed here (we're in Southampton), but neither have any boars at the moment so I'm a bit lost. I could go back to the breeder we originally got Monty from, a very nice lady who has always given us good advice (that tends to match the information here, which gives me some confidence) but she would probably give us a young boar, and it would be up to us to do the bonding rather than with help through a rescue. Monty and Joey never fully got on, they lived on either side of a fence, though they seemed happy enough like that. I'd love for Joey to have a friend and them both be able to share all the space of this run though.

IMG_1574.webp

So really looking for any advice before I speak to the breeder and then on how to go about giving Joey the best chance of getting on with his new housemate (though I accept it's largely out of my control).

We also have two indoor play pen type runs, and two outdoor runs that can sit side by side, which we could use for bonding if that's better, I'm just a bit confused!

Thanks
James
x
 
So sorry for the loss of Monty. Feel free to post a tribute to him on the Rainbow Bridge thread
It’s good that you are thinking of another companion for Joey while your own grief is still raw.
You are looking for a successor to. Monty - not a replacement as each piggy is unique and special.

A few years ago I was left with a lone boar and not being able to find any rescues near me I decided to have him neutered and after the 6 week safety period introduced him to 2 sows, a mother & daughter.
That worked really well & Titus was a very happy boy for the rest of his life.

Hope you find a way that works well for you and Joey.
 
So sorry for the sudden loss of Monty.

In your situation I would probably be tempted to try and wait until a rescue has a suitable boar in.
Unless Joey is really pining for Monty, then he will be ok on his own for a while.

The advantage of waiting is that if you can let Joey choose his new companion chances are they will be able to live together, and your set up looks amazing for 2 boars. Not many people offer enough space, and you clearly do, so being able to bond Joey would be fantastic.
 
Thanks for the advice and kind words, maybe I'll give the rescue a call and see how often they get boars. How do I tell if he's really pining, would it be not eating etc? I hate leaving him on his own so part of me just wants to get something sorted this week.

We made the run that big because Joey and Monty had to live separately but I wanted them to have enough space each, but it'd be brilliant if two could share the whole space so they could really stretch their legs.
 
Ah, found the page Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

He seems to be eating fine, took food from my hand this morning and ate the grass we left in overnight, so he doesn't seem too bad. So maybe it would be best to hang on for the rescue, just don't like seeing him alone! I'll give them another call later.
 
JamesC said:
Ah, found the page Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

He seems to be eating fine, took food from my hand this morning and ate the grass we left in overnight, so he doesn't seem too bad. So maybe it would be best to hang on for the rescue, just don't like seeing him alone! I'll give them another call later.
Click to expand...

Good rescues are unfortunately far and few in between, and the RSPCA and the Blue Cross don't offer boar-boar dating even in those branches that have guinea pigs.

Glad to hear that Monty is hanging in there! This gives you some breathing space and allows to you think through our options a bit more.

If Anna from Wheek and Squeak is happy to rehome to you (she generally prefers to not go much out of Hampshire), then it is well worth asking for a place on her waiting list for dating because she is by several miles the most experienced and best bonder within your reach, and Monty in the safest of hands there. The rescues will be soon starting to fill up with the inevitable Easter fall-out... so if you can afford to wait a month or two, then it will be worth it!

Alternatively you could do some research into neutering. You would need a good neutering vet (Anna may be able to give you recommendations and advise you on whether it would be a good idea in her eyes) but it would enhance Monty's dating scope a lot if he could be dated with either gender. In order to be safe with sows, he has to wait 6 weeks after the op, but he can be dated with a boar as soon as he has recovered from his op as there is no risk of babies.
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths And Facts

Finding new companionship always very much depends on what is available within your reach at the time; that is why our recommendations can only ever be fairly vague. Not everybody has access to a boar bonding rescue, and not every rescue has always got datable piggies on hand. There is usually a big rush around Easter and then a little gap until the Easter piggies have stopped being cute babies and have turned into much less cute teenage boars or pregnant sows and more work than expected, especially when the kids have lost interest fast... By June rescues are usually filling up fast again. :(
 
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Thanks. I've just spoken with Anna and she's going to send me her questionnaire to make sure we meet her policies, but reading her website I'm pretty sure we do so fingers crossed. I hadn't realised that waiting a while was an option (just thought we had to bring in a new one ASAP) so this has been really helpful.
 
JamesC said:
Thanks. I've just spoken with Anna and she's going to send me her questionnaire to make sure we meet her policies, but reading her website I'm pretty sure we do so fingers crossed. I hadn't realised that waiting a while was an option (just thought we had to bring in a new one ASAP) so this has been really helpful.
Click to expand...

A new companion before a guinea pig has come out of deep mourning is only necessary if your piggy is giving up on life and is stopping to eat and drink ('acute pining') or if it is still visibly unhappy and depressed after the average 4 days of deep mourning/withdrawing. Many piggies just get on with life, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are not grieving or happy on their own.
Monty may be more subdued and lose his sparkle, but he will get it back as soon as he has a new friend of his own liking.

Like with humans, the time when they are open for a new relationship can vary enormously. A piggy is generally ready when they pick up their normal routine again as a rule of thumb. ;)

I generally prefer 1-4 weeks as the optimal time frame for rebonding bereaved guinea pigs that are hanging in there, but I have also had piggies that have taken months to find an acceptable new companion and in one case, this never happened; Nesta was OK with piggy neighbours and interaction through the bars, though.

All the best! If your living conditions are compatible with our forum recommendations, then you won't have any problems as they comply with and surpass minimal welfare recommendations, which is what our recommended rescues are also looking for. ;)

PS: I am very sorry for your loss. You are welcome to post a tribute for Monty's companion in our Rainbow Bridge section. It is there for those of us that would make use of it whenever it feels right for them.
 
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sorry for your sudden loss, it is so heartbreaking. Good luck with finding a new friend for Joey x
 
I’m so sorry to read of your loss, but so pleased that you are going to try boar dating to find a good match. It’s definitely worth waiting for a solo boar to try Monty with. I hope you don’t have to wait too long.
 
Thought I'd let you know that when we lost Bramble we intended to find a companion quickly for Button ( other guinea pig) if she appeared to pine. Keeping a watchful eye, Button had no loss of appetite and displayed no outward sign of misery or fretting. However, as the months went on, we decided that she needed a pal. Button was on her own for about 3 months when we introduced her to two baby piggies. We took about a week with the introductions. It was obvious that the little 'uns were curious about who was in the other cage and although Button rarely squeaks, she would perk up when she heard the babies. We put them together and now all three are mates. Happy days.
 
Thanks, that's all really helpful. Joey seems to be alright, he was a bit odd for a day or so, staying in the far corner of his run (away from the fence that used to join his and Monty's sections) but he has settled down and is now eating and behaving pretty much as he always has. Just fingers crossed the rescue finds a friend for him, if it goes on for a while we'll talk to them about neutering if that will help. Thanks for all the kind words and advice, it's much appreciated.
 
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