Help!- single boar and don’t know what to do.

[Piggiewiggles123]

Hi, so I’m new here but I naively bought three male pigs after the pet shop said it was ok to have that combo. This was in February, and I have since completed tons of research on guinea pigs and am more educated on everything! I know a lot about them now I just need some advice on something. Before we bought the trio, our original guinea pig Pumpkin, had a bonded boar called Popcorn who passed away from something neurological and his brain was not working properly. We decided to get Pumpkin some friends - they were both about 6 months at the time. We bought two more male guinea pigs thinking that if one passed away unexpectedly, we would not be in the same position. (Gizmo + Pom) All went well with the hierarchy and Pumpkin stayed dominant. Gizmo tested the waters and worked out it was best to stay submissive. All of a sudden Pom tested the waters and decided he wanted to be top pig. This was because of the teenage hormones as I have researched. But it was getting worse and worse. One morning pumpkin was bit in the mouth by Pom causing a bit of blood. After that we didn’t feel it was safe to keep them together anymore so put a divider in between cages giving Pom and gizmo two 2x3 cages put together (4x3) and Pom one 2x3. Pom loved it at first having his own space, but because Gizmo and Pumpkin have each other they weren’t looking into Pom’s cage for interaction. He has been separated from them for a few months now, and obviously i don’t want to put them together because I have tried re-bonding and giving them floor time together, but he just wants to be top pig. I noticed he has chewed all along the divider to get into their cage. We have an upstairs part, so when I lift the lid of their cage, he jumps up and over the side into their cage. I’m really not sure whether to get him a new boar. Because I’m worried about fights. Neuter him and a sow or spay a sow and have them both in the same sized cage as Pumpkin and Gizmo but not together with Pumpkin and Gizmo obviously! Realisctly, a boar would be the easiest option for us, but I want to do what’s best for Pom. Or whatever best, if keeping it like it is is best then I’ll do whatever he needs. Also Pumpkin turned one on Oct 25 th and Pom and Gizmo are 9 months on the 28th of Nov. Sorry for the long message!

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear you’ve been given poor advice about a trio of boars.
As they can’t live together, then they cannot have floor time together. To them each meeting is a full on bonding session which causes stress to them because they clearly cannot get on.

in terms of a new friend, finding him a boar to live with is the best option but because he is in his teens, it can be harder.
you will not be able to neuter him and have him live with a sow if they will remain in the same room as the boar pair. Gizmo and pumpkin’s relationship could run into problems if they smell a sow and they would be likely to start
to fight with each other. If you were to get pom neutered and find him A sow, then Pom and his sow would need to live in a different room to gizmo and pumpkin.

the best thing would be to take Pom dating at a rescue centre to find his own character compatible friend. As I said, this can be harder when they are in their teens, but not impossible, it may take a couple of tries before he finds a friend he likes.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

Please keep your boy next to his mates for the time being while you are doing your research, so he has the company and stimulation he still needs. This year and especially in the current lockdown it is not at all easy. Get in touch with rescues and ask; there may be waiting lists due to the necessary pandemic safety measures and the short-fall in volunteers at increased risk. The same goes for elective procedures like a neutering operation.

You can find more detailed information in these guides here:
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars (contains chapters on companionship options and how to go about it in different conditions as not everybody has good rescue access; the guide also covers the dos and don'ts re. boars and sows)
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

Don't feel bad. Pet ownership is a life-long learning curve. The important thing is that you are willing to learn and to do your best for your pets. That is what makes a good owner.