Floor time and friendship in boars.

[OliviaER]

Hello, I have a question about guinea pig friendships, specifically with unneutered boars.

I currently have two 1-year-old brothers who live together. They're happy as a pair and only have the occasional normal disagreement, but overall they're very well bonded.

About a foot away from their cage is a single boar whose companion sadly passed away around five months ago. At the moment he seems content living on his own, but I know I can look at finding him a new friend in the future if and when he needs one.

My question is about whether all three could ever safely have floor time together.

When my two boys are out, they often go over to the single boar's cage and interact through the bars. Everyone seems calm and there's no obvious aggression. However, one of my 1-year-old boys constantly bites the cage bars and won't stop while he's on floor time. It seems like he's desperate to get to the single boar, which is why I've wondered whether introducing all three together during floor time could actually be an option. At the same time, I'm worried about risking the bond my pair already have.

Do you think floor time with all three could ever work? If so, where would you recommend starting? Or is it something that should be avoided altogether?

If it isn't a good idea, does anyone have any suggestions for stopping my 1-year-old from constantly biting the bars and trying to get to the single boar? It doesn't seem overly aggressive, but I don't want it to become a source of stress for any of them.

One thing I've considered is using Perspex sheets to cover the side of the single boar's cage during my pair's floor time, so they can't see or reach each other through the bars. Has anyone tried this, or found another solution?

And I can’t move the cages and it’s the way they come in and out for floor time when they want to so blocking off the single pigs cage is very hard. But any advice as I’m new to owning piggies and only want the best for them.

Thank you in advance

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m afraid it is something you must avoid.
Every meeting would be seen, by them, as a full on bonding session where they would try to form a hierarchy between all three; they do not see it as a chance to have a playtime together; but those bonding sessions would have no chance of success (they cannot live together as a trio), they would likely cause fights and repeated introduction and separation will cause stress.
It would risk the bond between your pair.
Don’t confuse those kinds of bar biting, laying against the divider behaviours as friendly - they are most usually the opposite!

You say their cages are about a foot apart. It is important for a single piggy to be able to interact with the others between the bars. The pair are his only source of companionship and interaction while he is alone so he does need to be able to communicate with them at all times. A foot is right at ther edge of their field of vision - would it be possible for you to move their cages a bit closer together?

I imagine his interest in bar biting during floor time is because that is the only time he is actually able to be at the bars with your single boy, so each time now comes with the urge to do it.
I have two boys who have to live separately as their bond broke down. Their cages are right next to each other, just a single grid row between them (ie they can touch noses) there was some initial bar biting when they first had to be separated (it’s a territorial thing) but they don’t do it now they are comfortable being side by side.

If you can’t move the cages closer and the bar biting is really becoming a problem, then you may have to try the Perspex grids.
Or maybe another row of normal grids which you put in front of the single piggies cage while the pair are out for floor time might work to stop him from being able to get to the single boar.

(I say this for future reference and any future view of this post and how piggies manage when bereaved: a single/bereaved piggy will rarely show signs of loneliness but they will be feeling it. The survival instinct kicks in and they get on with the life they have. However, that means that waiting for signs of loneliness and then to get a new friend is unfortunately happening too late. If and by the time they do show it it’s because they are in so deep loneliness that they can’t hide it anymore.
Piggies are generally ok alone for around 4-6 weeks.
Your situation is a little different given you do have other piggies in the room, as that can help mitigate a more urgent need for a new friend.)

I hope that helps

 

[OliviaER]

Ok, thank you so much. I'd assumed that having all three together would be a big no, as they'd all be trying to rule the roost. The two boys have such a lovely relationship, and I'd hate to jeopardise that.

I can definitely move their cages closer together, as they all like chatting to each other when they're nearby. But I'll keep it to cage-by-cage interactions rather than floor time together or anything like that.

Regarding my single pig, I've gone back and forth about what to do. I'd love for him to have a friend, but because he isn't neutered, adding another boar to the family feels like it could be difficult.

He does get along with the others through chatting and nose-sniffing through the bars, and he comes out for a massive zoomie around the house most days. He has his own little route that he runs every day, so I do think he's happy. That said, I do understand what you mean that I might not always recognise if he's feeling lonely.

I'll have a think about how I might introduce a friend if that's ultimately what's best for him, so I'm prepared if I decide to go down that route. It does feel a bit daunting, though, as I've always had pairs and have never had to introduce guinea pigs before.

Thank you so much for all your help. I really appreciate it. Even if you were confirming what I already suspected, it was reassuring to hear it from someone else.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Regarding my single pig, I've gone back and forth about what to do. I'd love for him to have a friend, but because he isn't neutered, adding another boar to the family feels like it could be difficult..

I just wanted to pick this bit up - being neutered or not makes no difference. All neutering does is prevent pregnancy; but he cannot be bonded with a sow even if he was neutered as you are unable to have any sows in the same room as your bonded boys - the smell of a sow will cause the pair to fight.

There is no issue adding another boar at all. You just have to be sure that your single boy is compatible with the boar you get.
The best and safest way to do that is to speak to a rescue centre and have them help find a compatible friend via dating. That way you know you aren’t going to end up with a failure down the line.
If that isn’t possible and you decide to buy a piggy, make sure it is a baby boar as a baby cannot challenge the hierarchy. By the time baby gets to the teens they will hopefully be settled and have a long lasting bond.
However it does come with a risk, while most babies are accepted by an adult, there isn’t a guarantee

 

[OliviaER]

Ohh ok thanks that’s brilliant for some reason I thought it might make things harder.
Ok I have few rescues near by and I’ll ask if they offer maybe a compatibility option where I can bring my single boy in to meet a few piggy friend options or something. I’ll see what they suggest.

Again ThankYou as I’m always trying to make sure I’m doing everything right for them, but I’m always nervous I’m doing something wrong. But as long as they are happy and healthy I’m ok.

 

[Piggies&buns]

No definitely doesn’t make things harder - neutering doesn’t change their behaviour or ability to bond in anyway, it’s all down to compatibility and mutual liking

Keep us posted on what you decide