Lone guinea pig

Shelbylou

Shelbylou

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Mar 3, 2019
Messages
17
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18
Points
125
Location
Lockerbie, Scotland
Hi, sorry I’m not sure how to do this!

I have I have 3 male guinea pigs, all not even a year old. I got my first pair a wee while back and they got on fine but then one of my males got considerable larger than the other, so they started to bickering.

I went out and bought the biggest indoor cage i could find and everything was fine. But then about 8 weeks ago I rescued a wee piggy of the same age and sex (as I was told they would probably bond). However now the new piggy has bonded with the smaller of my two and now my bigger guinea pig is third wheeling almost? As he doesn’t get on with the New Guinea pig. I have tried everything in the book to bond them all but it’s not working. When I tried to put my original pair together the smaller one once back with the New Guinea pig. So I currently have a bonded pair of guineas and a lone Guiana pig.

So my pig question is would I be stupid to go and buy another younger guinea to pair with my lone guinea pig? As I’m worried he’s lonely even with all the socialisation we give him.
 
As you have found out, trio's of boars rarely work out. The kindest thing is to contact to your nearest rescue and arrange a boar date for your lone boar and find him a new friend
 
Shelbylou said:
Hi, sorry I’m not sure how to do this!

I have I have 3 male guinea pigs, all not even a year old. I got my first pair a wee while back and they got on fine but then one of my males got considerable larger than the other, so they started to bickering.

I went out and bought the biggest indoor cage i could find and everything was fine. But then about 8 weeks ago I rescued a wee piggy of the same age and sex (as I was told they would probably bond). However now the new piggy has bonded with the smaller of my two and now my bigger guinea pig is third wheeling almost? As he doesn’t get on with the New Guinea pig. I have tried everything in the book to bond them all but it’s not working. When I tried to put my original pair together the smaller one once back with the New Guinea pig. So I currently have a bonded pair of guineas and a lone Guiana pig.

So my pig question is would I be stupid to go and buy another younger guinea to pair with my lone guinea pig? As I’m worried he’s lonely even with all the socialisation we give him.
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Hi and welcome

Sadly the vast majority of baby boar trios end with separation but pet shops and breeders are still happy to sell without any consideration of guinea pig welfare as long as they get the money and your repeat custom. :(

Could you please add your country, state/province or UK county to your account details (via clicking on your username on the top bar). Your options very much depend on your local rescue and vet access. Since we are dealing with members and enquiries from all over the world, we cannot help you work out the best way forward for you where you are without having an idea what you can practically access and give you recommendations wherever possible, I can only give you this link at the end of the post for the time being. Please take the time to read; you may find it very helpful!
The problem is unfortunately not quite simply solved by adding another baby boar whose personality you do not and who will also comie into the teenage hormones a few weeks down the line. Key to any successful bond is mutual liking and character compatibility well over age. But achieving this takes time, bonding experience and some effort on your behalf to find 'Mr Right' for your single boy, which is not something pet shops and for sale breeders generally have.

Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
 
Thank you so much for the advise. I feel terrible as I had I probably should have done more research before taking the sellers word 😅 I will do my reasearch and find him a wee date, until he’s found the perfect friend 😊
 
Shelbylou said:
Thank you so much for the advise. I feel terrible as I had I probably should have done more research before taking the sellers word 😅 I will do my reasearch and find him a wee date, until he’s found the perfect friend 😊
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Unfortunately Scotland and the UK Northwest are deserts when it comes to good standard guinea pig rescues that offer dating at the rescue that we can recommend. :(
There is one rescue in Ayr since Hutches has closed down their rescue side and is only doing boarding. :(
Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues
 
Thank you for your help, I’ll keep an eye on Steve and try to keep looking for a perfect partner for him! I wish I had done the research properly on 3 males, but I do love all three of them so I’ll keep them all and just keep Steve separate and hopefully find him a friend 😊
 
Shelbylou said:
Thank you for your help, I’ll keep an eye on Steve and try to keep looking for a perfect partner for him! I wish I had done the research properly on 3 males, but I do love all three of them so I’ll keep them all and just keep Steve separate and hopefully find him a friend 😊
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You are not the first and sadly won't be the last to have fallen into the 'trio trap'!

You are a caring owner and will do right by your boys.

Please take the time to read our new owners guide collection. You will find hopefully find it both very helpful and interesting. We are specifically addressing all the issues we get the most eniquries and worry about.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
 
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