I just dont know...

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MadMax

I have a guinea pig... and after a roughstart in life (he was bullied by his cagemate) he has really come out of his shell and is a happy chatty friendly little boy. I had every intention of getting him a new cage buddy but he just seems so happy having a cage all to himself that I'm not sure he wants a cage mate again. He popcorns and wheeks and takes food from me now, where as when he was sharing a cage he would always stand back and hide away.

I'm also a little worried it will all go wrong again and he will suffer more wounds.

what would you do?

Half of me says he needs a friend and the other half says he seems happy as he is and doesnt want to change things for him (he lives indoors in the living room and spends most evenings out he is sat on teh back of the sofa right now being king of the castle)
 
to be honest they say there better in pairs but if he is happy why make him unhappy again as long as your there for loads of cuddles he doesnt need any one esle my partners mate at work only has one piggie and he is happy and 8 years old
 
If i was in your situation i would probably leave him how he is. I have just had a lot of hassel with my pig that was introduced to the rest, and if your piggie had problems with his cage mate in the first place i wouldnt risk it again. Its stressfull for the piggy and very stressfull for you!
But if you wanted to try it maybe you could adopt one from somewhere and if it doesnt work out the normally may take him back (a family member lost one of her piggies so adopted another one to be company for the other - she can take her back if there is a problem), that way at least you have tried for him.
That is just what i would do, it may not be the right thing though
x
 
he prop likes his own company like some adults some like loads of company and people around and some like there own company and being on there own
 
You could contact a local rescue and try a baby boar with him. That way, he will be the dominant boy right from the start. Ask the rescue whether they will bond him for you, as he's had such a rough time.
 
The flip side is though he may be fine on his own but he may be even better with a friend. You can't be around 24/7 so I would seriously consider a pal for him.

I know it is a worry and another commitment but some rescues allow you to take your pig in to bond and for him to choose a pal. I know from experience that it can work out for the better. :)

I'm a firm believer in animals having company of their own kind where possible.
 
Yep, I tend to agree with Louise's post above, however I have a pig who was so badly bullied before he came to us he had a stroke, and now he will not accept another pig at all. We have tried him with 8 single adult boars over the last 2 years or so and he has gone for every single one of them except our sweet Little O who we lost shortly after we tried to bond with Dylan. We can't get him neutered because of risks with an anaesthetic after his stroke, so he lives very happily next to Big Bear (who also won't seem to go with any of our other boars!) and the two snuggle together through the mesh divider which separates them and quite happily chat to each other over their fresh veg :)

Are you able to take him to a rescue and try him with another pig as previously suggested? Alternatively, find another lonely adult boar who won't take to another pig but you can put next door to him so they can interact? You never know, once they are settled and comfortable with being next door to each other you may even manage to get them paired up ;) (but don't hold your breath!)
 
if he is happy been on his own then let him be

my max lives by himself - he hates his 5 sons. He i also happy by himself he likes doing his own thing having his own space but he dose seen the other piggies at claening out time and when he goise in gradan i put him so he can the others but he dosent even look at them when he is the chance lol

my aflie also lives on his own he did live with his 4 little borthers he tried to kill one of them thats why he is on his own. He hates it as he is one who likes lots lot of attionation and he is a very socailable thing aswell he loves going outside so he can see his girls. he likes being around over guinea pigs and people
 
*sigh* I'm still undecided... Hes only 9ish months old so its a long time to live alone.....
 
Even with all the attention you may give him you are not a guinea pig! He needs company, even if only in an adjacent cage where he is within sight, sound and smell of another pig. All of the books, leaflets etc stress the importance of social contact with another pig(s).
 
alcesterpigs said:
All of the books, leaflets etc stress the importance of social contact with another pig(s).
Click to expand...


All 3 of the books I have bought say "It's up to you whether you want one or more guinea pigs. They enjoy company of others but they will be fine by themselves."
 
Some books say use straw for bedding and get a rabbit to keep them company..........!
 
I know. I was just pointing out that you shouldn't take what books say at very high regard. ;) or well, I personally do not.
 
I would say, it's always worth a try, if you can find a place where he has a choice of possible mates and can make his preferences clear. If he prefers to be alone, then so be it; you can still find him a next door companion, like boureki recommends.
 
I agree guinea pigs are social animals and usually need company. There are, however, exceptions to this rule. Some piggies don't tolerant company, but in my opinion, those are few and far between.

In 18 years of owning guinea pigs, I have only ever had one sow like that. She hated boars or sows. She was a rescued sow so I don't know what background she came from.

I agree, if he is only 9 months old, it is a long time to live alone. Could you consider getting he neutered then you have the option of a sow or two, or a baby boar. Neutering is expensive, risky but not if you have a good vet.
 
I do have some guineas who aren't sociable and hate the company of others. If he is happy I'd leave him as he is. Then again, if you're worried he may be lonely, perhaps a baby boar? I personally wouldn't go for neutering unless it's your very last option.
 
I have 2 single boars & earlier this year had 4. The 2 singletons used to live together but were separated after 13 months & have lived happily side by side for almost 3yrs & can interact thru' the mesh divide. My other 2 single boys; 1 now lives with a younger boar & is very happy, the other who i did try with other boars but he just wouldn't accept any of them (including babies) yet craved piggy company was neutered in Feb - he now has 2 ladies.
Where possible i have always had single piggies (including a sow) next to other piggies so they can interact/smell/see if they so choose. :)
 
My 2 original (stevie and comanche) piggies fell out, resulting in a nasty cut to one stevies neck.
I have bonded Comanche with a baby, Travis... and yesterday got a baby, Phoenix to bond with Stevie. I wasnt sure how Comanche would be, but they absolutely adore each other. Its the only time ive seen 2 boars do the piggy train.. they eat and sleep together, and despite being 2 and a half, Comanche popcorns loads, which when i got him from rescue, he didnt do very much.
Its still early days for Stevie and phoenix, but so far so good.
For all we can give them love and attention, I personally feel they need to interact and "talk" to other piggies.
I would say if you can, try a baby, but be prepared that they may not get on, but if they can live side by side, if that happened at least they can get piggie company. My comanche seemed happy until travis arrived, Stevie, seemed lonely..and i also think maybe a rescue where you could let your piggie choose his cagemate. I know some rescues will do the bonding also.
there will always be piggies that prefer to be alone, but most would apreciate a friend.
Good luck in whatever you decide xx
 
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