Guinea pig's brother passed - looking for new companion

GusandPeanut

GusandPeanut

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
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Location
Liverpool, UK
Hello,

Gus, one half of our guinea pig pair of brothers, passed away (and this forum has been wonderful in its support, thank you). Even though we'd love to spend longer 'getting over it', we realise how important it is for the remaining brother - Peanut - to have a companion.

Peanut is currently very happy, around four days after he said goodbye (through a charming sniff and dig in his brother's bum). He is eating, poo'ing, has energy and is affectionate and seems happy. However, we know that, as a timid pig, he likes a leader. Plus, we work full time every day and so we don't want him to be lonely for the 8 hours we'll be out of the house. We've heard of solo pigs that CAN be happy, especially when they are in amongst their humans and receive a lot of attention - but notice these threads always have the caveat that they really come alive when they have friends. We want Peanut to flourish, not just be content.

We are located in South Liverpool. I have done some googling and the closest centre is Cavy Haven, but have noted this isn't on the recommended rescue list AND has a few comments concerning poor practices - can anyone elaborate?

Our other option is the Potteries, but they're now shut until January 9th - we would be working on 15 days leading up to then which may be unfair.

My question is, is Cavy Haven a reasonable option for dating and finding a companion for Peanut? And, if not, how reasonable will it be for him to wait until January 9th for a companion?

Thank you for advice ahead of time - you lot are always brilliant.
 
I live in Cornwall so can’t offer any info on Cavy Heaven but it’s great to here you are already thinking about the welfare of your remaining piggie Peanut. Good on you! I hope you find a lovely companion for him x
 
Veggies Galore said:
I would stick to rescues that are recommended by this forum if I were you .

Naturally, some rescues not on our list are OK - but others are not on there for a reason .

Have you considered RSPCA in Macclesfield ? http://www.rspca-macclesfield.org.uk/others.html


Milhaven in Keighly is also recommended by this forum ( am trying to find a link for you ) … are you on Faceook ? here is FB link

https://www.facebook.com/Milhaven-G...746683115113769875896911271488671958870498181
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Thank you for the reccomendations. Unfortunately it appears Macclesfield only have one pig who will need a neutered cagemate, or a pair. I fear Keighley might be too far as the drive is approaching two hours and we're relying on a favour.
 
Hi, I adopted 2 piggies from cavy haven about 12 years ago. Peter and Gordon both lived to be five and a half and six years. I also know someone to got some piggies from there earlier this year.
I know they do a bit of piggy dating. Hope this helps.
 
GusandPeanut said:
Hello,

Gus, one half of our guinea pig pair of brothers, passed away (and this forum has been wonderful in its support, thank you). Even though we'd love to spend longer 'getting over it', we realise how important it is for the remaining brother - Peanut - to have a companion.

Peanut is currently very happy, around four days after he said goodbye (through a charming sniff and dig in his brother's bum). He is eating, poo'ing, has energy and is affectionate and seems happy. However, we know that, as a timid pig, he likes a leader. Plus, we work full time every day and so we don't want him to be lonely for the 8 hours we'll be out of the house. We've heard of solo pigs that CAN be happy, especially when they are in amongst their humans and receive a lot of attention - but notice these threads always have the caveat that they really come alive when they have friends. We want Peanut to flourish, not just be content.

We are located in South Liverpool. I have done some googling and the closest centre is Cavy Haven, but have noted this isn't on the recommended rescue list AND has a few comments concerning poor practices - can anyone elaborate?

Our other option is the Potteries, but they're now shut until January 9th - we would be working on 15 days leading up to then which may be unfair.

My question is, is Cavy Haven a reasonable option for dating and finding a companion for Peanut? And, if not, how reasonable will it be for him to wait until January 9th for a companion?

Thank you for advice ahead of time - you lot are always brilliant.
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Hi!

I am very sorry for your loss!

Unfortunately we cannot recommend Cavy Haven in Winsford.

Could you try and contact the Potteries, Merrypigs or Milhaven in Keighley? The RSPCA usually doesn't offer boar dating.

You are unfortunately unlucky that you are hitting the big Christmas close down. Unless your boy is acutely pining (not eating/drinking and turning his head to the wall), he should keep until January even if he will have lost his usual sparkle. Most piggies come out of deep mourning around 3-4 days after their loss and pick up their lives again.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

I am very sorry for your loss!

Unfortunately we cannot recommend Cavy Haven in Winsford.

Could you try and contact the Potteries, Merrypigs or Milhaven in Keighley? The RSPCA usually doesn't offer boar dating.

You are unfortunately unlucky that you are hitting the big Christmas close down. Unless your boy is acutely pining (not eating/drinking and turning his head to the wall), he should keep until January even if he will have lost his usual sparkle. Most piggies come out of deep mourning around 3-4 days after their loss and pick up their lives again.
Click to expand...
Thank you, it's much appreciated.

He didn't seem to mourn. He sniffed his brother's bum and face a little when we left the body 'in situ' in the cage, but after that he seemed a little scared/disinterested with the body and stayed well away. He likes the smell of one of the toys his brother's scent is on.

No changes to his normal cycles. He is quite easy to startle and if anything has become less alert. We have had him up on the sofa and made a makeshift run for him most nights to let him stretch his legs, but he seems content to just curl up next to us and be fed hay and his dinner. He still lets out nice loud wheeks when he hears the bowls clinking (= food).

Essentially he seems to be less active than before, and like he needs a friend. A loss of sparkle is probably exactly it - is there much risk of him becoming depressed, or completely out of sorts? I stress he's eating everything we give him, he's inquisitive to smells and loving his cuddles - but just doesn't look as full of life as when he had his partner in crime to chase/fight/cuddle/eat with.
 
Hi @GusandPeanut we live in south liverpool too and although I dont know any good local rescues, I bet my husband piggy daddy would provide a piggy taxi if you needed it to get to a rescue further afield. Keighley is well within range for us as we have family in west yorkshire and drive that far regularly. PM us if you need a lift! Saturdays are best for us.
 
GusandPeanut said:
He didn't seem to mourn. He sniffed his brother's bum and face a little when we left the body 'in situ' in the cage, but after that he seemed a little scared/disinterested with the body and stayed well away. He likes the smell of one of the toys his brother's scent is on.

No changes to his normal cycles. He is quite easy to startle and if anything has become less alert. We have had him up on the sofa and made a makeshift run for him most nights to let him stretch his legs, but he seems content to just curl up next to us and be fed hay and his dinner. He still lets out nice loud wheeks when he hears the bowls clinking (= food).

Essentially he seems to be less active than before, and like he needs a friend. A loss of sparkle is probably exactly it - is there much risk of him becoming depressed, or completely out of sorts? I stress he's eating everything we give him, he's inquisitive to smells and loving his cuddles - but just doesn't look as full of life as when he had his partner in crime to chase/fight/cuddle/eat with.
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He is likely to become depressed over the longer time, but he should keep until January if he is still OK in himself. Sniffing the toy means that he is mourning, but he is not pining, which is always the greatest worry. ;)
 
Wiebke said:
He is likely to become depressed over the longer time, but he should keep until January if he is still OK in himself. Sniffing the toy means that he is mourning, but he is not pining, which is always the greatest worry. ;)
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Hi, thank you for the advice.

I was hoping you might be able to answer as you have lengthy experience - a couple of the shelters we've contacted claim that un-neutered boys simply cannot bond with other boars, except babies, and that we will have to neuter (which doesn't seem wise for a three year old) or pair with a girl. Is that true?
 
That’s nonsense, i am suprised they have said this. Boars won’t need to be neutered unless you want to pair with a female. Neutering stops babies but makes no difference to temperament. Any bonding either female or male is reliant on whether the piggie likes the other piggie, age does not make a huge difference, it’s if they like each other that counts x

Good luck with your search for a companion for your boy. Perhaps try a knowledgeable rescue if at all possible. There is a page of recommend rescues on this site. Hope one is near you x
 
GusandPeanut said:
Hello,

Gus, one half of our guinea pig pair of brothers, passed away (and this forum has been wonderful in its support, thank you). Even though we'd love to spend longer 'getting over it', we realise how important it is for the remaining brother - Peanut - to have a companion.

Peanut is currently very happy, around four days after he said goodbye (through a charming sniff and dig in his brother's bum). He is eating, poo'ing, has energy and is affectionate and seems happy. However, we know that, as a timid pig, he likes a leader. Plus, we work full time every day and so we don't want him to be lonely for the 8 hours we'll be out of the house. We've heard of solo pigs that CAN be happy, especially when they are in amongst their humans and receive a lot of attention - but notice these threads always have the caveat that they really come alive when they have friends. We want Peanut to flourish, not just be content.

We are located in South Liverpool. I have done some googling and the closest centre is Cavy Haven, but have noted this isn't on the recommended rescue list AND has a few comments concerning poor practices - can anyone elaborate?

Our other option is the Potteries, but they're now shut until January 9th - we would be working on 15 days leading up to then which may be unfair.

My question is, is Cavy Haven a reasonable option for dating and finding a companion for Peanut? And, if not, how reasonable will it be for him to wait until January 9th for a companion?

Thank you for advice ahead of time - you lot are always brilliant.
Click to expand...


@GusandPeanut I think I may have responded to your enquiry to the Potteries. As a forum we would not recommend Cavy Haven. Peanut should be fine until Helen’s @The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue return from her holiday. I have tagged her into this post.
 
My Nosgan was 2 years old and my Nye (adopted from The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue) was 4 months old just turning into a teenager with already descending testicles - two years on, they are still together.
IMG_6410_edited-1.webp

Other members have re-bonded adult boars. The Potteries have certainly paired up a number of adult boars in rescue, too.
 
I can’t add to the advice given but wanted to say I think it’s great that you are thinking of Peanut’s well-being and also giving careful consideration to where you find a companion
 
Thank you again for all your advice and thoughts. We are continuing to explore our options. Thank you @VickiA, and to @Wiebke for the reassurance.

What is the likelihood of three boars getting on? We have seen promising pairs of older males in rescues. We have a play area downstairs, a tent/ring of sorts for outside, and a 5x2 C&C (though we can expand as we have several motr grids and a box that can be tailored).
 
GusandPeanut said:
Thank you again for all your advice and thoughts. We are continuing to explore our options. Thank you @VickiA, and to @Wiebke for the reassurance.

What is the likelihood of three boars getting on? We have seen promising pairs of older males in rescues. We have a play area downstairs, a tent/ring of sorts for outside, and a 5x2 C&C (though we can expand as we have several motr grids and a box that can be tailored).
Click to expand...

It all depends on the character compatibility and how laid back the boars are. With old boars (4 years plus) the testosterone has mostly run out and they are more like sows, so the bonding chances are comparatively higher, but that doesn't mean that every bond is going to work. Trios are the combo that is most liable to outsider issues. You will also have the rescue willing to give dating a try, and that may be a tough one to crack. As a next door option it would be great if you were willing to take it from there.
 
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