Guinea pigs - new companion for bereaved guinea pig

[Pepper and Inky]

One of my guinea pigs has recently died. We are getting a new guinea pig. My old pig is about a year old and the new one is 6 months. Is this ok?

 

[Wiebke]

One of my guinea pigs has recently died. We are getting a new guinea pig. My old pig is about a year old and the new one is 6 months. Is this ok?

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry for your loss! We have a Rainbow Bridge section for those members that would like to post a tribute to the piggies they have lost whenever it feels right for them.


Can you please tell me which gender the guinea pigs involved are?

You can never guarantee the outcome when you get a new piggy on spec and not through rescue dating, as the key for any successful piggy bond is mutual liking and character compatibility, but with the ages involved (6 months is at the height of teenage hormones) it is rather crucial whether you are dealing with two boars, two sows or a sow and neutered boar/spayed sow full boar combo.
For a boar-boar couple, 6 months this is pretty much the most difficult bonding age; especially with your other boy not quite out of the teenage, either. For sows in mixed gender pairs it is a very good bonding age.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)

It would also help us if you please added your country, state/province or UK county so we can take your realistic options depending on where you are in the world into account to help you work out the best way forward for you wherever you are. Please click on your username on the top bar, go to account details and scroll down to location. This makes it appear with every post you make and allows us to tailor any advice to what is relevant and available where you are straight away instead of keeping it as general as possible. We have members and enquiries from all over the world. Thank you!