Getting another guinea pig

[dancegal]

I have been told so many things now and dont know what to think, I am getting a bigger cage next week, as everyone has told me they should be in pairs, i was looking to get a friend for george. I really want to rescue one but sadly i no longer have the car and my local rescue is in the middle of nowhere.

but now people are telling me that i should not get another as they will fight, George is currently 5 months old i think.

I really want to get another one as am allowed 1 more pet and not sure i want anything else, as already got hamsters, want a rabbit but have the space for another large cage, and not sure on any other small animals, i would like a ferret but the cages are very expensive

 

[Puzzlepigs]

I have been told so many things now and dont know what to think, I am getting a bigger cage next week, as everyone has told me they should be in pairs, i was looking to get a friend for george. I really want to rescue one but sadly i no longer have the car and my local rescue is in the middle of nowhere.

but now people are telling me that i should not get another as they will fight, George is currently 5 months old i think.

I really want to get another one as am allowed 1 more pet and not sure i want anything else, as already got hamsters, want a rabbit but have the space for another large cage, and not sure on any other small animals, i would like a ferret but the cages are very expensive

Could you not get a friend or other family member to drive you to a rescue?
I'm sure if you asked about somebody on the forum might be able to get you there. They should ideally be in pairs or in a group as they are very sociable animals and like company of their own kind.
There are two rescues I know in Buckinghamshire which are -
HULA Animal Rescue
RSPCA Blackberry Farm Animal Centre

You can find the details on the guinea pig rehome site.
If you can find somebody who is willing to get you to a rescue if you were prepared to travel further there are some great ones on the border of Hertfordshire such as

NAWT - National Animal Welfare Trust

Also if you search for piggies in Hertfordshire you will come across a few other rescues.

Hope this helped

 

[dancegal]

I know, Hula is the one that want to go there, but no one will drive me there and is middle of nowhere compared where i am in the city

would they still fight if i introduce them on neutral territory, like been told to give them a bath so they smell the same

 

[Puzzlepigs]

I've never owned boars myself so I can't give you much advice when trying to bond them. You can't say for certain whether they'll get on or if they'll not. Introduce them on neutral territory, perhaps bath them before and have some veggies or grass about. Make sure you can slip something in between to divide them if any fighting does arise. Don't use your hand though!
I'm sure that another more experienced member will be able to give you some better advice!

As I mentioned before, it might be worth asking around the forum to see if somebody would be able to drive you there as a favour. Or if you just wanted to visit the rescue could you not go there on the bus and if there is not a bus stop right next to the rescue centre walk the remainder? If you were to rescue another you'd probably want to get someone to drive you back though.

 

[Coconut]

I'd definatly get him a friend but this may take a fair bit of effort and searching to decide how you will go about this. With a boar at that age your at the hormonal stage so getting the perfect partner is especially important, so personally I don't think I'd risk just picking any Guinea pig to go with him- a lot of time it's more than just getting the introduction right but also having a pair that will happily continue to live with each other without too many dominance issues.

I know you've got some problems with transport to a rescue but what about trying to get him piggy trained to somewhere he can be boar dated? This way you would get a rescue but also a piggie choosen to suit him and hopefully make a much more stable relationship. If not I think I'd be tempted to give it a couple of months until he has moved out of the hormonal stage and then possibly try him with a baby- though this would mean he spends the next couple of months alone.

Admittedly I'm not experienced with boar-boar relationships so hopefully someone more experienced will be around soon to give you more competent advice.

Best of luck in getting George a friend .

 

[Amanda1801]

I'd really recommend that, as others have said, you really try and get to a rescue where George can have a date.

You could get any old boar, and find that they dislike each other, then you're in a situation where you have two separate boars and need a second cage and the expense of more bedding and stuff, and still have 2 separate boars who need a companion. You may also find that they fight and you have vets bills on top for treatment of wounds etc.

By taking George for a date, you can ensure that he'll be bonded with a boar of his chosing, and you won't have the problems above.

Maybe a relative or friend could help with the transport?

 

[Hc1]

I have 2 boars but they are litter mates and have always been together so not sure that's very helpful to you. I def wouldn't go for a lone rabbit unless its going to be indoor and you can spend a lot of time with it.