Older sow with younger boars?

[ryan316]

Hi all,

Unfortunately our younger piggy Jasmine crossed the rainbow bridge this week. We're obviously devastated, but one of the things we have to deal with is her cage mate Des'ree.

We originally got Jasmine after Des'rees previous cagemate (Monique) died when her and Des'ree were about 3 years old. Jasmine's passing now leaves us in the strange situation of having to find a new cage mate for our 6 year old guinea pig. We were looking to get boys after owning girls for the last few years, but I want to know if we'd need to get the boys neutered if we were to have them in the same cage as Des'ree — or is she no longer fertile so this wouldn't be an issue? If anyone has experience with a similar scenario any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Guinea pigs are fertile for their entire lives, so neutering is essential. However, you cannot keep two males with a female. You can only keep one neutered Male with any number of females. If you try to put two boys with any number of females, the boys will fight each other. Having two boys in a separate cage but in the same room as a female can also produce the same result - the smell of girls will often cause boys to fight with each other.

If you want a friend for her, then it will have to be either one neutered Male or another female.

I am sorry for your loss.

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry for your loss!

Unfortunately your plans won't work. Guinea pigs of either gender never lose the ability to procreate, only that the miscarriage and fatal birthing complication risk rises massively with age.

Two boars (neutered or not) should not live with sows in any form; it is generally one of the most straightforward recipes for disaster.

What you can look at if you want to switch to boys is adopting a neutered boar from a good standard rescue that allows you to bring Des'ree for rescue dating if at all possible. Key to any successful piggy bond is mutual liking and character compatibility long before age or gender, so please let her happiness and choice be your guide.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Rescue Locator (recommended rescues link to some other countries at the bottom)