Needing A 3rd Piggie?

[Shauni]

Dear everyone,

I wonder if i need to buy a third guinea pig. My oldest piggie simba (2 years) recently lost her friend and she has a new friend for 2 months now (she is 4 months old). They really like eachother, but my oldest should be the leader only she is not fit for it. Simba has always been shy, but with her old friend she was not very stressed or afraid and joined her in coming to me and making piggie noises. Since she passed, simba is much more afraid and stressed. She also doesn't correct the youngest and let her steel her food and everytime the youngest runs simba gets very scared. I already made some extra hiding spots and bought some houses and that seemed to help her a bit.
I'm worried that the stress will affect her health and that it might take too long before the youngest gets old enough to lead and comfort her. So I'm considering to buy a third older guinea pig that is very stable and could lead and also set a good example for behavior. But i dont want to put more stress on simba with a new piggie.
Has anyone some advice what would be the best choice for her?

 

[pig in the city]

Sorry that you lost your other piggy.
Its not uncommon for new piggy friendships to be different. Its down to the personality of the piggies to a greater extent rather than their age.
Ideally you should go to a rescue and try out potential partners with your two sows. A neutered male may work well in this instance as he would certainly provide some leadership and reassurance to Simba

 

[Shauni]

Thank you for your advice! I always assumed thay the older one takes the lead, but now simba tries to hide under the little while (and simba is a big sow while the little one is small for her age). I will check out some rescues to see if they have a neutered male that matches with my piggies!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your advice! I always assumed thay the older one takes the lead, but now simba tries to hide under the little while (and simba is a big sow while the little one is small for her age). I will check out some rescues to see if they have a neutered male that matches with my piggies!

Make sure that you look for a good rescue that offers dating at the rescue so you do not create more problems than you solve and you come home only with a boar that has been accepted.
How long have your two sows been together? Maybe they just need a bit more time?

Here are links to rescues we can guarantee that you are in safe hands. These rescues are piggy savvy, and you will only rehome fully quarantined/healthy piggy.
UK: Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator
Recommended rescues in some other countries: Guinea Lynx :: Rescue Organizations

 

[Shauni]

Make sure that you look for a good rescue that offers dating at the rescue so you do not create more problems than you solve and you come home only with a boar that has been accepted.
How long have your two sows been together? Maybe they just need a bit more time?

Here are links to rescues we can guarantee that you are in safe hands. These rescues are piggy savvy, and you will only rehome fully quarantined/healthy piggy.
UK: Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator
Recommended rescues in some other countries: Guinea Lynx :: Rescue Organizations

They have been together for 2 months. They really like eachother, its just that simba thinks that there is danger all the time. I will check out your link! I definitely want a boar that my sows accepy and like, so i want them to meet before i take another piggie home.

 

[Freela]

The older pig is not necessarily the leader. It has far more to do with personality than it does with age. I've had a very submissive older pig happily play second fiddle to a 12-week-old youngster half her size. So I wouldn't assume that the match is not working out because your older pig is not the boss or doesn't keep the youngster in line. That simply isn't always how it works. Hopefully some other members who have three pigs can give you some advice on adding a third. Personally, I might give it another couple of months to see how the relationship develops as your younger pig goes through adolescence. I would worry about destabilize things and creating more stress. But I admit that I've only ever had pairs, so a trio might seem more intimidating to me than to others!