Need advice - bereaved piggy

[Megganvh]

Hi everyone. I have a question at the end.. Our hearts are broken after the loss of our Skapie, but I have to think about the best interest of his brother Ash. The two of them lived together just the two of them in a cage. They had a better bond than any of our other guinea pigs. They loved each other immensely. I am scared that Ash will become depressed, is that something that happens? We cleaned the cage this morning to get Skapies scent out of the cage because we are scared Ash will still smell him and become worried and depressed. Usually when we cleaned the cage Skapie and Ash would sit together in a dome and wait. This morning when Ash was waiting in the dome he was crying probably worried about where his brother is and missing him. My question is.. What do you guys think would be best?
A. Let him stay in his cage by himself (his cage is next to the girls.).
B. Buy him a male friend hopefully similar in age (will they accept each other? Is it a good idea? Risk of fighting? Will it even help him? )
C. Neuter Ash and put him with the girls (skeptical about this for two reasons : 1. Whats the risk associated with neutering, don’t want anything to happen to him. 2. We are scared that even after neutering, that he will hump the girls the whole time and doing so make them unhappy)

No one can replace our little Skapie but unfortunately in this sad time, I still have to think of what would be best for his brother Ash. Any advice would be appreciated

 

[Piggies&buns]

I am so sorry for your loss.

The guide here explains how to care for a grieving piggy.
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

Acute pining is rare but can sadly happen. If Ash is continuing to eat and is otherwise happy, then you have time to consider where to go from here.
Weigh him daily so you can be sure he is eating enough hay.

As his cage is next to the girls, then do be sure he cannot escape and get in with them.
Being next to them will ensure he has companionship through the bars which will help.

Having another boar friend for him is an option. Every bond comes down to compatibility (not age, so getting a piggy a similar age as him will not necessarily make any difference to their ability to get on with each other) so simply buying another piggy does come with a risk that they will not like each other, could fight and therefore will not be able to live together. It is something to be prepared for it you choose to buy a new boar on spec.
If you were to do this then you would need to ensure the boys cage is not near the girls cage - for newly bonded boars or boars who are not used to smelling girls, then being near girls can cause the boys to fight and destroy their relationship).

If you have a vet who is experienced in neutering and Ash is healthy, then the surgery is as safe as it can be.
A neutered boar will still hump sows - it is simply what happens. The girls will be in charge of that though and will certainly tell him if his advances are not wanted. He will be put in his place by the girls.

I have added further guides below which can help with further information on all the aspects mentioned above

Behaviour, Bonding and Bereavement
A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

 

[Megganvh]

I am so sorry for your loss.

The guide here explains how to care for a grieving piggy.
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

Acute pining is rare but can sadly happen. If Ash is continuing to eat and is otherwise happy, then you have time to consider where to go from here.
Weigh him daily so you can be sure he is eating enough hay.

As his cage is next to the girls, then do be sure he cannot escape and get in with them.
Being next to them will ensure he has companionship through the bars which will help.

Having another boar friend for him is an option. Every bond comes down to compatibility (not age, so getting a piggy a similar age as him will not necessarily make any difference to their ability to get on with each other) so simply buying another piggy does come with a risk that they will not like each other, could fight and therefore will not be able to live together. It is something to be prepared for it you choose to buy a new boar on spec.
If you were to do this then you would need to ensure the boys cage is not near the girls cage - for newly bonded boars or boars who are not used to smelling girls, then being near girls can cause the boys to fight and destroy their relationship).

If you have a vet who is experienced in neutering and Ash is healthy, then the surgery is as safe as it can be.
A neutered boar will still hump sows - it is simply what happens. The girls will be in charge of that though and will certainly tell him if his advances are not wanted. He will be put in his place by the girls.

I have added further guides below which can help with further information on all the aspects mentioned above

Behaviour, Bonding and Bereavement
A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

Thank you so so unbelievably much, this is incredibly helpful and so much appreciated. Thanks so much