Introducing A Friend To My Guinea Pig?

[Chlawee]

Basicalllly, about 5 months ago just after Christmas I bought a Guinea pig (his name is Oscar) he is a very spoilt little piggy!

Anyway moving on to the point, I bought him from a pet shop who said it was fine if he was on his own as long as he got enough attention from me (which he does, I always get him out for cuddles and he gets loads of attention) but upon reading online I realised how important it is to have Guinea pig companions.. Feel a bit miffed that they said that to me to be honest!

Well, the only thing is I'm worried if I get another Guinea pig they won't get along and that he will be too territorial and jealous now, I don't even know where to start?!

Thanks for reading and potentially helping me!

Chlawee

 

[Beans&Toast]

I don't think it's ever too late, it just depends on how you do it and the piggies themselves. Not all pigs will get along with each other and it can take a few tries to find the right match.
They do need the company of their own kind so it is best for your little pig to have a friend. You just need to find the right friend for your pig, then introduce them on neutral territory so your current boy doesn't feel threatened by the newcomer.
There's some very good threads in the behaviour and bonding section

 

[Keiko The Pig]

I also got my first pig from a petshop who said nothing about them needing companions (though if you try to buy two dwarfs they have a fit and refuse to sell to you despite dwarfs living in packs in the wild, they are like guinea pigs and live in groups but unlike GPs can live alone happily as well). I also have a boy and I'm sure you've come across some horror stories of boars being impossible to bond, this is NOT true. You should definitely get your piggy a friend. If you're in the UK (lucky you if you are) the rescues do bonding "dates" so your piggy can pick his future cagemate instead of you having to purchase/adopt one without knowing if they'll get on! Definitely read the threads about boar bonding, behaviour, dominance, bullying etc as this will prepare you for the interactions you will see! Here in canada guinea pig dating or animal dating of any kind is not a thing. If this is also the case for you, you may have to take a chance like i did. I adopted a 4 week old boar from the only rescue nearby and had to do bonding and the introduction myself. Luckily they got on great and now live happily together

 

[Wiebke]

Basicalllly, about 5 months ago just after Christmas I bought a Guinea pig (his name is Oscar) he is a very spoilt little piggy!

Anyway moving on to the point, I bought him from a pet shop who said it was fine if he was on his own as long as he got enough attention from me (which he does, I always get him out for cuddles and he gets loads of attention) but upon reading online I realised how important it is to have Guinea pig companions.. Feel a bit miffed that they said that to me to be honest!

Well, the only thing is I'm worried if I get another Guinea pig they won't get along and that he will be too territorial and jealous now, I don't even know where to start?!

Thanks for reading and potentially helping me!

Chlawee

It is never too late to find company! The cases where a single young piggy has lost the ability to see itself as a guinea pig are fairly rare; most are are able to find a friend of their liking.

Could you please add your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can factor that into our advice. Any recommendations depend very much on your local options re. access to a good piggy savvy rescue that allows you to bring Oscar for a round of dating, so he can choose his own mate, or access to a good operating vet with experience in guinea pig neutering if you'd rather find a sow companion or two for him. Character compatilibility and mutual liking is key for any happy piggy bond. We would like to help you work out which would be the best way forward for you to end up with a stable companion for Oscar for the long term.

Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you!

 

[Chlawee]

I don't think it's ever too late, it just depends on how you do it and the piggies themselves. Not all pigs will get along with each other and it can take a few tries to find the right match.
They do need the company of their own kind so it is best for your little pig to have a friend. You just need to find the right friend for your pig, then introduce them on neutral territory so your current boy doesn't feel threatened by the newcomer.
There's some very good threads in the behaviour and bonding section

Hi! Thank you so much for your response and your help! The only issue is I'm not sure how to go about matching them, I have a pet shop nearby but don't want to risk bringing one home and them really not liking each other! But I may have to take the risk
I don't know as I have a seperate smaller cage whether to introduce them slowly, like have them seperate at start then slowly get them together (eating together) etc, I don't know! Thanks for your help
Chlawee

 

[Chlawee]

I also got my first pig from a petshop who said nothing about them needing companions (though if you try to buy two dwarfs they have a fit and refuse to sell to you despite dwarfs living in packs in the wild, they are like guinea pigs and live in groups but unlike GPs can live alone happily as well). I also have a boy and I'm sure you've come across some horror stories of boars being impossible to bond, this is NOT true. You should definitely get your piggy a friend. If you're in the UK (lucky you if you are) the rescues do bonding "dates" so your piggy can pick his future cagemate instead of you having to purchase/adopt one without knowing if they'll get on! Definitely read the threads about boar bonding, behaviour, dominance, bullying etc as this will prepare you for the interactions you will see! Here in canada guinea pig dating or animal dating of any kind is not a thing. If this is also the case for you, you may have to take a chance like i did. I adopted a 4 week old boar from the only rescue nearby and had to do bonding and the introduction myself. Luckily they got on great and now live happily together

I also got my first pig from a petshop who said nothing about them needing companions (though if you try to buy two dwarfs they have a fit and refuse to sell to you despite dwarfs living in packs in the wild, they are like guinea pigs and live in groups but unlike GPs can live alone happily as well). I also have a boy and I'm sure you've come across some horror stories of boars being impossible to bond, this is NOT true. You should definitely get your piggy a friend. If you're in the UK (lucky you if you are) the rescues do bonding "dates" so your piggy can pick his future cagemate instead of you having to purchase/adopt one without knowing if they'll get on! Definitely read the threads about boar bonding, behaviour, dominance, bullying etc as this will prepare you for the interactions you will see! Here in canada guinea pig dating or animal dating of any kind is not a thing. If this is also the case for you, you may have to take a chance like i did. I adopted a 4 week old boar from the only rescue nearby and had to do bonding and the introduction myself. Luckily they got on great and now live happily together

Hi! Thanks for your response, my pet shop is the one who told me they were impossible to bond and that I'd be better off getting a female if I HAVE to get him a friend. But reading elsewhere I noticed this isn't the case!
I am from the Uk! In Plymouth, Devon. I am so new to this so I will have to do some research and hopefully I can arrange something!

I'm hoping if I can't do the bonding from a rescue or something that they'll get along! Do you recommend two boys or?

Thank you for all your help

 

[Chlawee]

It is never too late to find company! The cases where a single young piggy has lost the ability to see itself as a guinea pig are fairly rare; most are are able to find a friend of their liking.

Could you please add your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can factor that into our advice. Any recommendations depend very much on your local options re. access to a good piggy savvy rescue that allows you to bring Oscar for a round of dating, so he can choose his own mate, or access to a good operating vet with experience in guinea pig neutering if you'd rather find a sow companion or two for him. Character compatilibility and mutual liking is key for any happy piggy bond. We would like to help you work out which would be the best way forward for you to end up with a stable companion for Oscar for the long term.

Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you!

It is never too late to find company! The cases where a single young piggy has lost the ability to see itself as a guinea pig are fairly rare; most are are able to find a friend of their liking.

Could you please add your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can factor that into our advice. Any recommendations depend very much on your local options re. access to a good piggy savvy rescue that allows you to bring Oscar for a round of dating, so he can choose his own mate, or access to a good operating vet with experience in guinea pig neutering if you'd rather find a sow companion or two for him. Character compatilibility and mutual liking is key for any happy piggy bond. We would like to help you work out which would be the best way forward for you to end up with a stable companion for Oscar for the long term.

Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you!

Hi there! I've changed my location, I'm from Uk, in Plymouth, Devon!
Thanks for your help and response.
I think there are a couple of rescues nearby but not sure if they do what you say about play dates and stuff! I really hope they do I think I need to do some research.
Would you recommend Oscar with a girl or a boy? Or does it not matter
Thank you
Chlawee

 

[Wiebke]

Hi there! I've changed my location, I'm from Uk, in Plymouth, Devon!
Thanks for your help and response.
I think there are a couple of rescues nearby but not sure if they do what you say about play dates and stuff! I really hope they do I think I need to do some research.
Would you recommend Oscar with a girl or a boy? Or does it not matter
Thank you
Chlawee

You may want to contact Norman Gorman's Guinea Pig Sanctuary; they are the closest good guinea pig rescue to you. They would help you with both dating at the rescue if they have suitable boys in and could help you with the address of the vet they use for neutering if you want to go down that route; I know that they have successfully neutered the occasional boar that has struggled with making friends with other boys. The lady who runs the small rescue is very caring about guinea pigs. The same goes for any crosse gender dating whether that is with a single sow or a pair of bonded sows.
Alternatively, Little Pip's Guinea Pig Rehoming Budleigh Salterton way would be another rescue to try if Norman Gorman's small rescue hasn't got any suitable mates for Oscar in the pipeline. Little Pip's offer residential bonding, so any resulting boar bond is as stable as a sow bond; a boar will meet up to 3 suitable partners over the course of a week. Any promising bond is going to be tested for stability before the boars come home. It is well worth going the extra mile for rescue dating for the added security and if necessary waiting for a free slot on the dating waiting list!
I can recommend both places warmly.
Norman Gormans Guinea Pig Sanctuary or Norman Gorman's Guinea Pig Sanctuary
Little Pip's Guinea Pig Rehoming or http://littlepipsguineas.webs.com/

If you can date Oscar with another boar of any age at one of our recommended rescues (both rescues fall in that category), especially if the rescue offers full/residential boar dating, then the resulting bond is very stable and you always have got the rescue to fall back on if there are problems at some point.
If you do not have access to a good rescue or Oscar struggles with boars, then neutering with a good and experienced vet (that is crucial!) is the next possible avenue. Again, mutual liking and acceptance is crucial when bonding with sows, but once that happens, cross gender bonds are the most stable of all. Because of the operation cost/post-op complication risk, I would recommend to enquire about boar dating first. However, your ultimate choice often depends on what guinea pigs are in rescue at the time in any of the rescues you can get to.

 

[Chlawee]

Hi!
Thank you for your help once again, I'm looking into rescues right now! I rang a local one to me "Woodside" and they said that they would help neuter him and also find him a suitable playmate! But also, if there is any trouble with his new friend then they will either help take them back or offer support!
I will look into the ones you suggested as well so that I have done my research!
Thank you

Chlawee

 

[Keiko The Pig]

Don't listen to your pet shop I've got a pair of boys who absolutely adore each other! They're doing zoomies together around their cage right now as I speak! They cry if one is taken out and I take too long to grab the other. Sometimes they can be rowdy and have little chinning and nose jab episodes but they usually popcorn around or cuddle immediately after. If you can date your boy definitely try that as why put your piggy through surgery unless it's absolutely necessary?

 

[Chlawee]

See I would prefer to have two little boys, but I was told literally 10 mins ago by someone at a rescue centre that if they're not related they will fight! And it can be quite vicious did you get them together? Or did you get them separately and introduce them?

Chlawee

 

[Keiko The Pig]

I got them totally separately. One from a pet shop and then just over a month later I adopted from the only local rescue, who on their web page clearly state they will only adopt out single piggies if the owner has one . My first boy was very very clearly craving a companion I couldn't let him go without and here in Canada cavvy savy vets are few and far between. I didn't want to risk a neuter and honestly wanted boys as I've read all about female issues, ovarian cysts bad seasons etc. I'll take cleaning boy bits over that! My boys are very happy together it's just important they each have their own space and two of everything. Two water bottles, food bowls, etc. For the most part in the cage my boys sleep separately, but if they're scared they'll be found cuddling in one house or whenever out for floor/laptime and they get tired they settle down together. My younger boar and submissive boar even gives me no trouble picking him up because he's always eager to join his adopted brother back in the cage! He comes right over and waits paitently to be put in its really the sweetest thing.

 

[Beans&Toast]

Just because they aren't related does not mean they will necessarily fight... It just depends on whether or not they like each other

 

[Chlawee]

That's the most adorable thing never! I really don't wanna neauter him but was only doing it for his sake of having a friend, and if I could have a male friend for him I would definitely do that! Do you recommend keeping them seperate at first and then slowly introducing them? I really hope this works! I am so scared of them not getting along
Chloe

 

[Keiko The Pig]

That's the most adorable thing never! I really don't wanna neauter him but was only doing it for his sake of having a friend, and if I could have a male friend for him I would definitely do that! Do you recommend keeping them seperate at first and then slowly introducing them? I really hope this works! I am so scared of them not getting along
Chloe

With boys it's really better to do the bonding in one go so make sure you've got the time to supervise! If you separate boys it causes them to sortve reset the whole dominance jostling. You can of course keep them as neighbours for a couple days to get them used to each other before taking that plunge. Definitely check out the sticky threads in behaviour and bonding. There's some great info of what to expect, what is normal, and even photos of specific dominant behaviours you may see. For my boys there was rumbling from my eldest, mounting from both of them, chasing, and popcorning! With boys it's highly advised you don't move them to their cage until they've both had a nap, woken up, and the reaction to not being alone after waking should be positive or just a continuing of the Dominant behaviours they displayed before sleeping. Make sure you scrub and rearrange the cage they'll live in if it smells like your current boar and do intros on neutral territory

 

[Chlawee]

Just because they aren't related does not mean they will necessarily fight... It just depends on whether or not they like each other

Ahh! Okay
How likely is it that they won't get along? Haha! X

 

[Chlawee]

With boys it's really better to do the bonding in one go so make sure you've got the time to supervise! If you separate boys it causes them to sortve reset the whole dominance jostling. You can of course keep them as neighbours for a couple days to get them used to each other before taking that plunge. Definitely check out the sticky threads in behaviour and bonding. There's some great info of what to expect, what is normal, and even photos of specific dominant behaviours you may see. For my boys there was rumbling from my eldest, mounting from both of them, chasing, and popcorning! With boys it's highly advised you don't move them to their cage until they've both had a nap, woken up, and the reaction to not being alone after waking should be positive or just a continuing of the Dominant behaviours they displayed before sleeping. Make sure you scrub and rearrange the cage they'll live in if it smells like your current boar and do intros on neutral territory

With boys it's really better to do the bonding in one go so make sure you've got the time to supervise! If you separate boys it causes them to sortve reset the whole dominance jostling. You can of course keep them as neighbours for a couple days to get them used to each other before taking that plunge. Definitely check out the sticky threads in behaviour and bonding. There's some great info of what to expect, what is normal, and even photos of specific dominant behaviours you may see. For my boys there was rumbling from my eldest, mounting from both of them, chasing, and popcorning! With boys it's highly advised you don't move them to their cage until they've both had a nap, woken up, and the reaction to not being alone after waking should be positive or just a continuing of the Dominant behaviours they displayed before sleeping. Make sure you scrub and rearrange the cage they'll live in if it smells like your current boar and do intros on neutral territory

The only thing is it does sound like a lengthy process I am terrified of them fighting haha, how likely is it that they wouldn't get along? The tips are very helpful too. I have definitely heard horror stories about their male piggies fighting but yours sound so happy together
Thank you for your help!

Chlawee

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!
Thank you for your help once again, I'm looking into rescues right now! I rang a local one to me "Woodside" and they said that they would help neuter him and also find him a suitable playmate! But also, if there is any trouble with his new friend then they will either help take them back or offer support!
I will look into the ones you suggested as well so that I have done my research!
Thank you

Chlawee

Please note that we do not recommend Woodside Rescue in Plymouth. Some of our members did not have a good experience with them as they seem to cut corners.

There is a very good reason why we have a recommended rescues locator on the top bar and why we recommend sometimes rescues further away - these are the ones that we can guarantee for as a forum, knowing that every stage of the whole rescue process is of good quality and care, and that the rescues are experienced and safe to use without any nasty surprises. Sadly, there is no licensing system for rescues and no minimal standard, so going rescue is very much an adopter's beware game, as like breeders, at the moment, anybody can call themselves a rescue, and the result can vary massively.

 

[Keiko The Pig]

It's hard to say what the chances are. Piggies are like people, there are some people we just don't get on with yknow? If you are worried about fighting try to get a baby boar. From personal experience and from some things I've read/heard babies are the least threatening to your boar. Of course getting a baby means that you will experience the teenage hormones with them but when I brought 4 week old Milo home he immediately took to following Keiko (my older boar) and doing whatever he did. Even now they are still teaching each other things. Milo has taught Keiko to try new veggies, and Keiko is teaching Milo how to beg and get my attention lol

 

[Chlawee]

Please note that we do not recommend Woodside Rescue in Plymouth. Some of our members did not have a good experience with them as they seem to cut corners.

There is a very good reason why we have a recommended rescues locator on the top bar and why we recommend sometimes rescues further away - these are the ones that we can guarantee for as a forum, knowing that every stage of the whole rescue process is of good quality and care, and that the rescues are experienced and safe to use without any nasty surprises. Sadly, there is no licensing system for rescues and no minimal standard, so going rescue is very much an adopter's beware game, as like breeders, at the moment, anybody can call themselves a rescue, and the result can vary massively.

Oh I see! I didn't know that, but it's good to know. Thanks for helping me out with all this it's much appreciated and very much new to me!
I'll definitely look into the places you said though. X

 

[Chlawee]

Ha

It's hard to say what the chances are. Piggies are like people, there are some people we just don't get on with yknow? If you are worried about fighting try to get a baby boar. From personal experience and from some things I've read/heard babies are the least threatening to your boar. Of course getting a baby means that you will experience the teenage hormones with them but when I brought 4 week old Milo home he immediately took to following Keiko (my older boar) and doing whatever he did. Even now they are still teaching each other things. Milo has taught Keiko to try new veggies, and Keiko is teaching Milo how to beg and get my attention lol

ha aw that's adorable! I could definitely try that, I do have another smaller cage just in case! But I would much prefer two boys instead of putting my baby under anesthetic I know it sounds silly but i don't like the thought of it!
The only place I can think that does little baby Guinea pigs near me is pet shops tho! Xx

 

[Keiko The Pig]

Yeah I know the struggle of finding babies, I got extremely lucky. The rescue had taken in a pregnant sow from a shelter that doesn't have the resources to care for guineas, she had 3 babies. 2 girls and 1 boy. The sisters were adopted out together and I got the boy. If there had been 2 boys they wouldn't have separated though. I totally feel you! My piggies will always be same sex pairs as I never want to put any through an operation. If you do decide to go to a pet shop, make sure you enforce the 3 week quarantine and keep your newest piggy in a separate room and always handle your original first. This way if there's any illness or fleas or fungal it won't pass on to your boy.

 

[twiams]

Please note that we do not recommend Woodside Rescue in Plymouth. Some of our members did not have a good experience with them as they seem to cut corners.

Woodside rescue are a fantastic rescue, i work for the practice that does all of their veterinary treatment and i can say all of their animals are very well cared for and as much as they are a rescue under a lot of pressure with a high demmand and lack of resources they are fantastic at ensuring all of their animals get the proper care they deserve!

 

[Chlawee]

Hi there!
I rang up Woodside and they seemed really good, they checked everything like size of cage and space and do home checks so I felt like they did it properly?
Only thing is they only have males and they recommend me getting a female for my boy. But I am getting him neutered! Is it through you possibly? Xx

 

[Wheek! Wheek!]

Good luck, hopefully all will go okay with the bonding and you'll have 2 boys who'll get on great. There are no guarantees with piggies unfortunately, as I bought my boys as a pair, already living very happily together. Then suddenly, 6 weeks after I bought them home, they decided they didn't like each other! For no apparent reason they just started fighting. I've tried to re-bond them but no luck so far. But all has worked out okay - they're now living in separate cages right next to each other - they can just about touch noses through their cage bars, they talk to each other and have company, and both seem very happy. They popcorn all the time and when I put them on the grass in the run I have a mesh divider down the middle so they can still see each other. I just wanted to let you know this, as if the bonding doesn't work for you (but fingers crossed that it will ) it's not the end of the world. You can still have company for your little piggy, even though it might not be the close company you initially planned!

 

[Chlawee]

Aw that's such a shame! I was thinking of getting a female now as I've been told it will probably be better off and more likely that they'll get along! But I don't know, it's hard! thanks for letting me know x

 

[Keiko The Pig]

It's ultimately your decision. To neuter and get a female or try a male pair. Even if your boys do fall out they can get the required companionship by being neighbours. Just remember if you neuter it will be 6 weeks before your boy can safely be with a female and that post op complications can arise long after the neutering.

 

[Chlawee]

It's ultimately your decision. To neuter and get a female or try a male pair. Even if your boys do fall out they can get the required companionship by being neighbours. Just remember if you neuter it will be 6 weeks before your boy can safely be with a female and that post op complications can arise long after the neutering.

What complications could arise? Oh no
What would be your suggestion? Would you try two boys? Xx

 

[Keiko The Pig]

Complications can arise after any surgery. Some Guinea pigs can have a bad reaction to the anesthetic which is a more immediate complication, others are obviously post op infections (baytril should be prescribed by your vet after op to help prevent these as well as a painkiller) and abscesses. Only you can say what's right for you pig. My personal opinion is that I will never put a piggy under unless it is for a health reason. For example if I had a sow and she had cysts, of course then I would get them surgically removed. As with my boys I would never neuter them. I would be too worried something would either go wrong during the op, or that they wouldn't take to their food afterwards either because of a bad reaction to the anesthetic or because of pain. There are good things about neutering, it lowers the risk of impaction in older boars, but if you ask me personally I would go with two boys. Worst case scenario they live happily as neighbours as I can tell both of them need each other and would definitely not tolerate being truly separated. Mixed sex bindings are said to be the most stable (which is because this is the most natural to them) but I'm sure I'm not the only owner here with two boys who get along just fine and are well and happy with their cage mate

 

[Chlawee]

Complications can arise after any surgery. Some Guinea pigs can have a bad reaction to the anesthetic which is a more immediate complication, others are obviously post op infections (baytril should be prescribed by your vet after op to help prevent these as well as a painkiller) and abscesses. Only you can say what's right for you pig. My personal opinion is that I will never put a piggy under unless it is for a health reason. For example if I had a sow and she had cysts, of course then I would get them surgically removed. As with my boys I would never neuter them. I would be too worried something would either go wrong during the op, or that they wouldn't take to their food afterwards either because of a bad reaction to the anesthetic or because of pain. There are good things about neutering, it lowers the risk of impaction in older boars, but if you ask me personally I would go with two boys. Worst case scenario they live happily as neighbours as I can tell both of them need each other and would definitely not tolerate being truly separated. Mixed sex bindings are said to be the most stable (which is because this is the most natural to them) but I'm sure I'm not the only owner here with two boys who get along just fine and are well and happy with their cage mate

I am really worried about him going under, but I've heard so many scary stories about two boys fighting i guess I could take the risk and like you said they Could live seperate but wouldn't be ideal as I don't have a lot of space! But if it came to that it would have to happen :-) ughhhh really don't know what to do! I'm so undecided, one half of me says to get a female because it's the safer option but it also puts my baby under anesthetic and risks but the other half is like what will happen with two boys?! Xx