Lonely pig

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Amylicious

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Hi all

Our two year old pig is on his own. We rescued him from another family who couldn't keep him any longer. He was already a year old or so then.

Every pet store I've spoken to (at least three) have said that we can't now integrate him with another pig, as he will be too territorial and will kill the other pig.

Is this true? Is there anything we can do to get him a friend?
 
No that is utter BS,

Other members should be along soon to give you some advice on introducing 2 boars together as I am not too sure on the best way to do it.
 
Sadly pet shops do not have knowledge of guinea pigs so please do not listen to them. The best thing you can do is to take your boy to a rescue were he can go boar dating. This means he can choose his own friend. This will mean there is less chance of pairing him with a boar he does not get along with.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum!

Could you please tell us where you are located? You can add your country/rough area to your details in User CP/edit profile/location; that makes it much easier for us to pitch you appropriate advice and links, as we have members from all over the world.

Here in Britain you have the option of "boar dating" lonely boars of any age at a good rescue where they are introduced to suitable candidates in order to find a character compatible mate (the key for every successful boar bond) under expert supervision. That is not something pet shops or most breeders can do or are interested in as it is time consuming and not money making; hence the myth that adult boars can't be bonded! mallethead

There are actually two forms of dating available, depending on the rescue:

- full residential boar dating where any promising boar bond is stress tested for a few days before the boys are allowed home - this means that any resulting successful bond is as stable as a sow bond and that boars of all ages can be bonded with each other.
Here is Suzy's boar dating blog from her rescue which she kindly keeps updated for us. So far all bonded boars from that thread are still together. So much for the myth... http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=59233

- speed dating with a baby/pre-hormonal boar; most boars will accept a congenial youngster but there can be problems when the younger boar hits the big hormones later on. Generally a bigger age difference is of an advantage in this kind of bonding as it keeps the dominance clear.

Things get a bit more tricky for those who haven't got access to a rescue. In these cases getting a baby is the best option, preferably from a place that allows your boy to meet some and make his choice who he likes best. The risk of the bond not working out is correspondingly higher. We have bonding tips available if you wish.

Here is a map of (vetted) recommended rescues in the UK; most of which offer boar dating on one form or other: http://goo.gl/maps/mKDT
 
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That's great. I mean he seems happy enough, but I don't want him to miss out. We're shortly moving to a bigger house with much more room, so even if they fell out I'd have enough room for two big indoor cages. I assume he would probably be better with an adult male? There are lots of rescues near us I think (Cambridge way)
 
You have indeed quite a few rescues within a reasonable distance you can contact and ask what kind of boar dating they offer! I am sure that your boy can find a friend of his liking in one of them.

At age two, your boy is past the big hormones so he can be bonded with older or younger boars. The vital bit is that they get on. Have good read through Suzy's thread and you will understand what I mean!

Dating is the least risky and safest way to bond and rebond any single or bereaved piggy of any age.

PS: You will also find our boar guide at the top of the behaviour section helpful as it is full of tips on how to make the best of your boar bond.
 
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I'm so sorry, I must be being daft, I can't find the behavioural section? Is there any way you could post a link?
 
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