I have an aggressive piggy. Does he still need a companion?

[Maximus Jack]

Hi, last year I got a boar off of Craiglist. I know that guinea pigs need companions, but the reason why the previous owner was giving away Max, renamed Maximus Jack, was because he was aggressive to the other guinea pigs. I wanted to get a spayed sow so he could have a buddy but my parents said no and I don't think Maximus Jack would treat her very well. He has plenty of toys to play with in his enclosure, but he still looks lonely and lays around all day. I take him out for three hours every day, but is that truly enough?

 

[Siikibam]

Hi and welcome. You are right to try and find Maximus a friend. I notice you say guinea pigs. Was he housed with more than one boar? If so, that is likely the reason he was labelled ‘aggressive’. Boar trios rarely work. Unfortunately no amount of human interaction or toys (they don’t play with toys) can replace or replicate the companionship of another piggy.

I think he just hasn’t found another piggy he likes yet. Sometimes it takes a few goes before they meet a real buddy. Guinea pigs are a bit like us humans. They can also decide that they don’t like each other once they meet.

The best way to find him a friend would be to contact a rescue that can set up boar dating so he chooses his own friend. Please bear in mind that you may not find a spayed sow. How old is he by the way?

Companionship is one of the welfare rights of a piggy. As your parents agreed you take Maximus on, they took on the responsibility of meeting his needs. If they go on to refuse to get him a friend, then I’m afraid you would have to rethink whether keeping him is suitable going forward. Please do try and speak to your parents, explaining the welfare rights of your piggy. Hopefully they will come round. Even having a neighbour is better than no piggy at all. Piggy communication is more than sight. It’s about smell and body language as well.

Good luck.

Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
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Companionship
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

 

[Maximus Jack]

Hi, he turns two in december. I don't know if he's been housed with boars or not. And my step-mom said no but my dad said he'll look into it for my birthday next month. And thank you.

 

[Siikibam]

Please try and get your dad to look into it as soon as possible, rather than waiting till next month. He has already been alone for too long. Hope you can work something out. Please also make sure you have the minimum space needed for a pair of boars. Their cage needs to measure 150x60cm. However, we recommend 180x60cm.

 

[Piggies&buns]

You may also consider neutering him, having the six week wait for him to become infertile and bonding him with a sow.
It is the sow who needs to accept the boar so ensuring you get the right sow is important. If he has never been with a sow then his reaction to her is going to be over the top begin with.

You are less likely to find spayed sows because it is not a routine surgery and is generally only done if there is a medical need to.

Whether you find him a boar or a sow friend, it’s best to do so with the help of a rescue centre. Character compatibility is the most important part of any successful bond so if you just buy another piggy then you won’t know if they have compatibility and the bonding may fail. They would then need to live in separate but side by side cages.