Getting him a friend

[carrot_tit]

Just before xmas i adopted a piggie named Leo from Starshine. He's a lovely looking pig but doesn't really like me at all. I'm sure eventually he'll get used to me but in the meantime i worry about him being lonely. Leo is my first piggie so i've not much experience. I'm thinking of getting him a friend but don't know whether to neuter him and get a female or get a baby boar. I'm really worried about what to do because i don't have room for another cage at the moment so what happens if they don't get along?

I just don't know what to do for the best.

 

[starshine]

He does like you I'm sure! You are the provider of veggies so he will love you best out of any one else in the world believe me!

I tried Leo with a baby boar here and he hated him - he was extremely aggressive to him as is sometimes the case with older boars who have always been alone. He may take to a different baby better but I can offer no guarantees. Obviously he has not been tried with a sow! I have a lot of older single boars myself and they live in seperate cages but side by side/stacked up so they can see and hear each other and grumble away at each other to their hearts content! Is this something you could consider for Leo maybe?

As I have said before given time I'm sure he will settle more. He took a while to calm down here but did turn into a lovely natured pig. I really hope you get to see that side of him soon.

 

[carrot_tit]

Perhaps i'm just expecting too much too soon? I just want him to be happy!

 

[Beks]

Sorry to hear Leo isn't settling down just yet, some pigs do take a little longer than others. I think he might benefit from the companionship of another though, they do love the talk of there own kind

How big is your cage? as Kate has suggested splitting your cage would work ok, and with floor time they would be ok. Neutering him is an option but as you don't know his history it might not be wise....

Good Luck!

 

[cavykind]

Hi,
Sorry to hear you are having a few teething problems with your new guinea pig.
Please don't worry too much as it can often take some time for guinea pigs and their owners to bond with each other. It's a two way thing and sometimes people find it takes them longer to bond with an animal that appears more reserved/nervous than a very placid and cuddly type. Leo is still no doubt feeling rather strange about his new environment, so give him time to adapt and build up his confidence. When he is feeling more secure in his home and around you, you should soon see his personality emerge. As you begin to handle him more and relax with each other, I think then that you will grow closer. I hope so

Personally, I would give yourself time to let this happen before even considering having him neutered and introducing a sow. All that is likely to happen if you don't wait, is that he will simply bond with her and appear to have even less interest in humans.
But that's just my thoughts. If you do decide to neuter, a good rescue would help with intros and take the sow back if they did not get along.

I agree many single boars are happy enough to live alone, but I do believe that need to have a lot of stimulation and company.
Once Leo is more settled, maybe you could keep him in your living area, where he can be a part of the family and see what is going on, most piggies love this

Good luck and give things time,
Barbara

 

[Beaney]

Once he associates you with the arrival of veggies he will love you!

I would leave him to settle - sometimes they just need a bit of time to get used to their new surroundings. Once he has gotten used to you and you have got to know him you will be able to see whether a friend is a good idea or not.

Whilst I always prefer to see piggys in groups - some just don't like it! At the moment I have one of my sows on her own but she lives side by side to a pair. Whilst I am hoping to pair her up with a friend (via a rescue) if she really does prefer to be alone then I will leave her be. She does seem happy enough but I wanted to give her one last chance to choose herself a cage mate.

I love Leo - I remember looking at his pictures when he was up for rehoming. So Gorgeous!

 

[carrot_tit]

I love Leo - I remember looking at his pictures when he was up for rehoming. So Gorgeous!

You know he has the most gorgeous patch of ginger fur at one side of his nose! I find myself staring at it because it's just so cute!

I think i'll just give him more time. I seem to be making some progress. He'll come upto the cage bars and rest his front paws there to look at me if i sit next to the cage, it's only if i open the cage he's legs it!

 

[michellemuffin]

I had this problem with floo when I first got him he would wheak so loudly if I went near him but i persevered and now he is mummys boy he goes mad if I stroke his cage mate Albie and pushes my hand off him he is so cuddly he disappears down my clothing especailly round my neck loves to snuggle into my boobs lol
I would never have thought he would be like this when I first got him os patience and perseverance he will come round and wait to see how he goes before making any further decisions, good luck

 

[carrot_tit]

I had this problem with floo when I first got him he would wheak so loudly if I went near him but i persevered and now he is mummys boy he goes mad if I stroke his cage mate Albie and pushes my hand off him he is so cuddly he disappears down my clothing especailly round my neck loves to snuggle into my boobs lol
I would never have thought he would be like this when I first got him os patience and perseverance he will come round and wait to see how he goes before making any further decisions, good luck

That's really good to know. He is my first piggie so i guess i'm probably just overly worried. My pets health and happiness are the most important things to me in the world so when i do tend to panic if i think they are unhappy!

 

[tawny]

when i first got buddy he had been bullied but was a very timid pig and very young, with in a few weeks that pig bit through my finger > did it swell and was it painfull....... yes don't think the doc was impressed and had me on standby to go hospital it was swelling that quick.

after that i was scarred of buddy and he was terrified of me, think it was the scream i let out 8) never thought we would be mates but i wouldn't give in on him and kept loving him and...

if you saw us now.. he is a fantastic pig, you tap your lap and he jumps on and runs up to be held to go back to his cage. he is such a character and so funny.

he had two bites of my partner and a nip of my sons finger but i don't think he means to ;D

he sort of shares with baby who is blind and has a tilted head, baby gives him rock all and yet he never attacks baby back.

give it time and give lots of love and you and leo will be best of mates, he just has to learn trust and he will

 

[cavykind]

when i first got buddy he had been bullied but was a very timid pig and very young, with in a few weeks that pig bit through my finger > did it swell and was it painfull....... yes don't think the doc was impressed and had me on standby to go hospital it was swelling that quick.

after that i was scarred of buddy and he was terrified of me, think it was the scream i let out 8) never thought we would be mates but i wouldn't give in on him and kept loving him and...

if you saw us now.. he is a fantastic pig, you tap your lap and he jumps on and runs up to be held to go back to his cage. he is such a character and so funny.

he had two bites of my partner and a nip of my sons finger but i don't think he means to ;D

he sort of shares with baby who is blind and has a tilted head, baby gives him rock all and yet he never attacks baby back.

give it time and give lots of love and you and leo will be best of mates, he just has to learn trust and he will

That is a really heart warming story Tawny and I'm sure it will be of encouragement.
Well done for persevering

Barbara