Hi ! I'm new here, i used to have 2 2yr old boars but sadly one of them had to be put down last week. I was wondering if anyone had any advise on bonding my other guinea pig who is left on his own now, from what I can tell he seems to be dealing with it ok, still eating and drinking normally (not getting as much exercise but I think that's mainly because his favourite past time used to be to just chase poor fred). Is there any other things I need to be on a look out for tho ? Oops sry! didn't mean to write this much. Anyways any advice would be greatly appreciated x
Male piggy left on his own
- Thread starter Duffy
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Bill & Ted
Forum Buddy
Hello and welcome to the forum
So sorry you lost Fred last week, sending hugs, it’s a sad time
Your best bet would be to look at out Rescue Locator and see if you can take him to be boar dated to find another boar would who likes. They usually have single boars looking for homes, (although they won’t be advertised as they don’t let piggies go as a single) who need a new partner and it’s the safest way as your boy will choose who he likes.
Rescue Locator
So sorry you lost Fred last week, sending hugs, it’s a sad time
Your best bet would be to look at out Rescue Locator and see if you can take him to be boar dated to find another boar would who likes. They usually have single boars looking for homes, (although they won’t be advertised as they don’t let piggies go as a single) who need a new partner and it’s the safest way as your boy will choose who he likes.
Rescue Locator
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Welcome to the forum and I’m sorry for your loss.
The best way to find him a new friend is to contact a rescue centre. As character compatibility is the most vital part of forming a successful relationship, they can help you find the right friend to ensure they bond and that you aren’t left with two piggies who don’t like each other and cannot live in the same cage.
The guides below offer further information on caring for a bereaved piggy and bonding with a new friend.
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
The best way to find him a new friend is to contact a rescue centre. As character compatibility is the most vital part of forming a successful relationship, they can help you find the right friend to ensure they bond and that you aren’t left with two piggies who don’t like each other and cannot live in the same cage.
The guides below offer further information on caring for a bereaved piggy and bonding with a new friend.
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Aw, thankyou. I've had a look at the rescue locator and there were none near me, I've also had a look at other rescues which are in my area but they all seem to be more dog and cat based. I asked about boar bonding in the couple of rescues which did have guinea pigs but none of them did it which is a shame as I think 'speed dating' my guinea pig sounds like a really good idea. Do you think getting a baby piggy could be a plan instead? Also, thankyou for the links! They were really helpful
Bill & Ted
Forum Buddy
The most difficult age to bond boars is in their teenage months 4-14. But it is really all down to mutual liking, they are very much like humans in that respect. You could get a baby boar but there’s a possibility that when he gets into the teenager stage when hormones are rife that it might not work out, but your boar is mature so that does help to some extent. Good luck, I really hope you can find him a new friend x
Age is much less relevant when it comes to a successful bond. Character compatibility is the most important factor. Two piggies simply must be compatible to bond. To that end, any on spec bonding could go either way - success or failure. Babies are often (not always) accepted as they dont threaten the hierarchy and babies are desperate to belong. The issue can come wheh the youngster hits his teens, he can try for dominance and it can cause issues (again, not always though - they must have compatibility for it to not be an issue).
As such if you are going to get a baby and do an on spec bonding, it’s important to hope for the best but plan for the worst (ie living in separate cages as neighbours).
The other option is to have him neutered, have the six week wait for him to become infertile and then bond with a sow. Sow/neutered boar bonds still need to be compatible (the sow must accept the boar) but once acceptance has occurred, they tend to be more stable.
A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care
Hi!
This is literally a year later but just wanted to give an update because all your advice was really helpful
, I got in contact with someone who had a litter up for sale and they let us have a trial run with a guinea pig before buying them to see how they got on, we got lucky though and they seem to be getting on fine! It's been about 5 months and so far the teenage 'years' dont seem apparent, so fingers crossed ! Thanks again 
This is literally a year later but just wanted to give an update because all your advice was really helpful
, I got in contact with someone who had a litter up for sale and they let us have a trial run with a guinea pig before buying them to see how they got on, we got lucky though and they seem to be getting on fine! It's been about 5 months and so far the teenage 'years' dont seem apparent, so fingers crossed ! Thanks again