Getting a buddy for our recently bereaved piggie?

[Chunky_Pig]

Not sure if I put this in the right place to put this thread, but I'm not sure when to get another buddy for my remaining guinea pig. She was quiet for the first few days, but she's starting to return to normal. She's a more timid/shy one and lacks confidence alone (she was more confident when she had her buddy), so me and my parents were talking and discussing our options with what to do with our remaining pig - especially since we plan on flying over seas for the summer for 2 weeks and will be leaving her at boarding, I know she would get very lonely wherever we board her since we live in the US in the non-guinea pig savvy part of our state, so she wouldn't get the same level attention and care as she does at our home. The issue that comes up is the only places that have guinea pigs around us are big box petstores, and smaller questionable pet stores. Rescues around here rarely have young guinea pigs avaliable and usually only have males, which i'm not very intrested in. I do know that I will not be getting another skinny pig, at the time it seemed like a great idea in 2022, but now after the amount of health issues my piggy experienced before she died, I don't want to deal with that again (which i know can happen with any piggy that has bad genetics, but it seems more likely with them).

I would love to hear your thoughts on when/where I should get the new piggy, I did read through the "looking after a bereaved guinea pig" thread but I'm still lost.

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your loss.
If your girl is eating and drinking ok then there’s no urgency to get a companion but she will need a new friend soon.
We understand that it is much more difficult to find a rescue in the US and a pet shop is often the only option.
Check the reviews and find the shop with the best reviews

A new friend within the next month would give time for a bond to be established before the summer.
Before you get a new piggy read through the bonding guides which have excellent advice on what works and what doesn’t.

Hope your search for a companion goes well.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry for your loss

Generally if a bereaved piggy is eating, maintaining weight then they are ok on their own for up to 4 weeks.

Not everybody has access to a rescue so don’t worry. Getting a new piggy from a shop does mean you’ve got an on spec bonding situation (ie you can’t test for compatibility before committing) so you do need to have a back up plan of them living side by side but in separate cages if the bonding fails.

You are better off to get a baby piggy as they are more likely to be accepted but it does mean that you cannot put a baby through any quarantine and you have to bond them on the day you bring the new one home (or after no more than one night side by side). Babies can’t be kept by themselves.

Bonding is a specific process that has to be done in neutral territory so you need to set up a space somewhere your sow doesn’t see as her own territory. Put both piggies in (with only hay and water) for several hours/overnight even and see how things go.
The longer they are in neutral territory the better as it gives them chance to get through the earliest bonding stages before being moved back to the cage - moving to the cage sets off a new round of dominance so you don’t want to move too soon.
If all goes well in neutral, you then move them to the cage together, you can then add a couple of two exit hides (don’t use any hides with only one door at any time). It will then take two weeks for their bond to be fully established

If it doesn’t go well in neutral and any of the stages fail, then they need to go into two separate cages and live as neighbours from then on.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated Bonding Dynamics and Behaviours

 

[Roselina]

Not sure if I put this in the right place to put this thread, but I'm not sure when to get another buddy for my remaining guinea pig. She was quiet for the first few days, but she's starting to return to normal. She's a more timid/shy one and lacks confidence alone (she was more confident when she had her buddy), so me and my parents were talking and discussing our options with what to do with our remaining pig - especially since we plan on flying over seas for the summer for 2 weeks and will be leaving her at boarding, I know she would get very lonely wherever we board her since we live in the US in the non-guinea pig savvy part of our state, so she wouldn't get the same level attention and care as she does at our home. The issue that comes up is the only places that have guinea pigs around us are big box petstores, and smaller questionable pet stores. Rescues around here rarely have young guinea pigs avaliable and usually only have males, which i'm not very intrested in. I do know that I will not be getting another skinny pig, at the time it seemed like a great idea in 2022, but now after the amount of health issues my piggy experienced before she died, I don't want to deal with that again (which i know can happen with any piggy that has bad genetics, but it seems more likely with them).

I would love to hear your thoughts on when/where I should get the new piggy, I did read through the "looking after a bereaved guinea pig" thread but I'm still lost.

I’m sorry to read your piggy died
You’ve had great advice from @Piggies&buns
A baby might be the best option as your piggy will need a friend soon
Your piggy(piggies) would be ok for your holiday providing they had basic care and you and your Parents could ensure that and thoroughly check out a boarder.
I understand the worry you have about ill health and guinea pigs
( I have a skinny pig boar who is 3 and came to me 14 months ago …luckily no ill health so far nor for my original piggy who is nearly 6 , sadly it’s something we can’t predict
Good luck and let us know ….