Guinea pig now all alone

[Bugsy-Malone]

My 4 year old boar passed away on Tuesday. He leaves behind his 3.5 year old mate Smudge. Smudge seems ok at the moment. They were not an overly bonded pair. Smudge was the dominant one and would often chase Fudge around.i do not want another Guinea Pig as am finding I have less and less time these days and find that i dont wsnt to go on the cycle of getting a younger pig again. Also I don't think he will bond well with another Pig. He's unneutered. My worry is him being lonely. My husband seems to think he prefers being on his own but I know piggies don't fair well on their own. Really at a loss what to do.

 

[Piggies&buns]

First, l am sorry for your loss.
There is no reason to think he won’t bond with another pig. Being neutered or not doesn’t make any difference - it only means he can’t go with females.
Regardless of how well he seems to be now, as you know, being alone isn’t good for them for the long term. If you don’t want to get any more and want to break that cycle, then would fostering be an option? That way your piggy has a friend but you aren’t committing permamently another pig.

 

[Wiebke]

My 4 year old boar passed away on Tuesday. He leaves behind his 3.5 year old mate Smudge. Smudge seems ok at the moment. They were not an overly bonded pair. Smudge was the dominant one and would often chase Fudge around.i do not want another Guinea Pig as am finding I have less and less time these days and find that i dont wsnt to go on the cycle of getting a younger pig again. Also I don't think he will bond well with another Pig. He's unneutered. My worry is him being lonely. My husband seems to think he prefers being on his own but I know piggies don't fair well on their own. Really at a loss what to do.

Hi! The best way to go about it is by looking for a good standard rescue that is offering boar dating in the new year after the Christmas closures are over. A guinea pig can become gradually depressed from lack of stimulation even if they are not acutely pining. Your boy is only halfway through his life.
PS: The RSPCA Walsall as your closest recommended rescue will only offer baby boar dating.
Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues

Your other option is neutering. At 3 years of age, Smudge is not too old. If you can travel as far as Northampton, then I would strongly recommend using Simon Maddock at the Cat& Rabbit in Northampton. He is one of the best neutering vets in the country with about as close to a 100% success rate as any surgeon can reasonably get. I am taking my own Llelo there tomorrow for his snip. he is not the first boy.
This would allow you to look at both boars and sows and widens your options. You have to factor in a 6 weeks post-op wait before smudge would be 100% safe to live with a sow.

Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths And Facts
The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic