getting a friend?

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ksiusha237

Hello :)
I had two guinea pigs Shura and Hriusha. Unfortunately Shura had to be put to sleep at age 4 for pnemonia or heart failure :'(... now I have little Hriusha who will be 4 in November. I have expanded his cage so he has lots of room and seems happy- active and eating. I gave him a bath today so now he smells very good :)... I am wondering if it is a good idea to get him a friend or to leave him alone? I feel bad that he is lonely. Shura did not live in the same cage , they lived next to each other. I worry about Hriusha being lonely, and wishing he had another pig to live with. I see all your pictures with so many guinea pigs in your amazing cages, and I wish Hriusha had a cagemate.... what do you think? Can some guinea pigs be happy alone? Is it better to have a cage mate? is a baby better for an adult? What is the best idea?

Thank you :)
Ksiusha
 
Hi love :)
Well do you have a rescue or somewhere else close by who sell piggies? you could take along little Hriusha to actually pick out his little friend O0 that's what the other people tend to do, otherwise the piggie you select may not get on with him :-\
I do believe they suggest that maybe one or two little ones could join him in his cage :smitten:
as you know our boy Duke has been by himself for a long time now.... he's managed but i do wish i'd been able to get him a friend but i was told NO by the family at the time :'(
Good luck with your piggie search :smitten:
 
I think everything I've ever read about piggies says that they are not very happy on their own.

Good luck with finding him a little friend. :smitten:
 
I do think that it would probably be best to get him a new friend. I'm in the same situation as you. Buddy recently died, leaving Pepsi all alone in his big new cage. Unfortunately, my parents don't believe me when I say he needs a new buddy, so he's still alone. I hope you have better luck, if you decide to get another pig!
 
Hello :)
So two new baby males would be the best idea? We have a rescue near by, however most of the guinea pigs are older... adleast 2 years old. There's are a few petstores.. but I hesitate with pet stores becuse they don't always look healthy. I would definitly bring Hriusha to pick out his new friends... I did that with Shura when we got Hriusha :) I will keep my eye out at the rescue because I volunteer there... there was a time when there were many babies there because a man had 80 guinea pigs :o... they have all been placed though

So it is a better idea to get him a friend? If I do get him a friend(s) should I keep them separate for a few weeks to introduce them properly? How do I go about that? babies and adults get on better than adults and adults, is that true?
 
i would get him 2 baby boars so if anything should happen to hriusha then you still have 2 piggies. O0 there is no need to quarentine if you get from a rescue, perhaps put in big cage and half the cage up so they can see and smell eachother. O0 have then out for floor time and cuddles and introduce them slowly. have foot treats so their minds are on the food not eachother. if all else fails bath them together so they all smell neutral. good luck and sending many hugs :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: some piggies are happy to be alone and just don't want a friend it depends on the piggy O0 duke is a lucky boy as granny spoils him everyday O0
 
That makes sense :) I will keep my eyes out for any baby pigs at the rescue... and look online

Do you know how to tell if a pig is happier alone? Hriusha has never shared a cage before... I don't think. I got him when he was 1 and 8 months but am pretty sure he lived alone
 
Yes, that is a good suggestion above to take him to a rescue and let him pick his own new friend. The guys at the rescue will know about the temperament of the piggies in their care, unless of course we are talking about a baby boar, and will hopefully guide you well.

I have a piggy called Holly who would not live with anyone else, whether it was boar or sow ... she attacked them all. She has lived alone, in my eyes happily ever since. She will be six years old in December. I guess it is like the human world - some people prefer to be by themselves. Having said that, it is unusual in the piggy world as they are normally sociable animals.

Let us know how things go!
 
I understand :)

Another quick question, do breeds have an effect on the personality of the pig? Or is it all the pig's personality, no matter what the breed?

I will keep my eye out for piggies in the rescue. But first we need to wait a while to mourn our Shura 0:) I'm not ready to get one right away.
 
Take your time and you will know when you feel the time is right.

From my experience, and I hope other members will give them own views, I have found that Coronet or Shelties are a placid breed ... I love them - but having said that, I love all piggies. Obviously, there is the downside to caring for a long-haired as they do need extra care in keeping their hair trimmed, especially around their bottoms to stop them getting matted so keeping them nice and clean and dry.
Also someone told me recently that the Rex's were placid too, but I can't comment from personal experience.

But actually I think ultimately it comes down to how much time you spending handling and showing affection to your piggies. The more love and attention that you are able to give them, the more love they will give you in return :smitten:
 
Hello,
I have decided to try to get Hriusha a friend in September maybe... I am keeping my eyes out for babies. So would it be best if I got two babies for Hriusha ?( who will be 4 in November).

If I find one and introduce Hriusha to them, how can I know if they will get along? How would I go about doing the introduction properly? I don't want two cages as before..

Do adults and babies generally get on all right? I am hoping I can find a friend for him.

If I get a baby, will they have to be separate for a little while, or once Hriusha's cage is completely scrubbed and clean can they all be together?
 
Careful introduction is key with boars, do not let them meet in Hriusha's cage even if it is scrubbed clean he knows this to be his territory, Intro's need to be made on neutral ground with lots of food on hand and hidey holes and i always like my husband to be around with a towel just in case
 
What about a spayed female adult? Could this also be okay? or a spayed female around a year?
 
females are only done if medically needed, but if you can find one i don't see why not. i still think you should take hriusha to a rescue and let her pick out her new friend/s. hoping you find one soon O0 hugs to you both :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Yes I would bring him to pick his friend :smitten: :smitten: When you get a new guinea pig to be a cagemate... you do the introduction on neutral ground. And then what? When can you put them in the same cage?
 
when they are getting on well, this ccould take hours, or weeks depending on the piggies. you just have to watch them carefully when put together to see if there is any fights. O0 but when introducing together you do it slowly say have them out together whilst watching TV or play time. put there cages side by side so they can see and smell eachother. have plenty of food out when introducing together so they will be at the food and not eachother. O0 good luck and keep us posted :smitten: :smitten:
 
So if I get a baby boar I let him play with hriusha will watching carefully, but keep him in a separate cage for a while? When do I know it is okay to put them in the same cage? Once they have been playing together for a long time?
 
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