One 2 year old and 2 babies?

[katierush27]

Hi

Recently lost one of my two male guinea pigs, both were nearly 2 years old. I am wondering what is best to do for my remaining guinea pig. Do I try and introduce a new male or 2? Or is neutering best and then getting a female? My guinea pig is very dominant and unsure how he would take to new friends but I also don’t want him to get lonely.. any help at all?

Thank you

 

[Freela]

You may have more feedback if you repost on the Behavior and Bonding board. I keep sows, but do know that boar trios very seldom work out... therefore, two new boars is the worst option for your situation. You would be looking at either introducing a new boar and neutering and introducing a sow. My understanding is that some rescues will help you to find a good match for your existing boar, so I would begin by looking there. Hope this helps a bit!

 

[Siikibam]

I’m sorry for your loss. Boars should only be kept in pairs so you’d have to get one other boar. The important thing is character compatibility and not age. You are better off contacting rescues to get on the waiting list. The issue is that lockdown means bondings are likely not being done.

If you decide to bypass a rescue and go with other means of getting a companion, have a plan in b in place in case it doesn’t work. The option to neuter him is there.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

 

[Piggies&buns]

You need to find him one boar friend. He cannot live with two other males as boars trios don’t work out (they will fight), plus if you’re brave enough to attempt a trio then you need a very large cage (they need at least a square metre of territory each (in square feet that is at least 32 sq ft).

As character compatibility is vital, bonding at a rescue centre is the best way to ensure that your piggy chooses his own new friend and that the two of them will actually get on.
If you buy a piggy from a pet shop then you are taking a risk that they won’t be and in that event they would need to live in separate but side by side cages. However, your boy’s welfare needs to come first and if he is struggling to be alone, then sometimes it’s a risk you have to take.

If he is neutered and found a sow (again character compatibility comes first), but he would need to have his operation and then wait six weeks after the surgery to become infertile before he can be bonded with a sow.

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

 

[katierush27]

Thank you for your advice, unfortunately I don’t have any rescues close enough to me. Am I best leaving him by himself for a few weeks or so, or getting a baby from a pet shop?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you for your advice, unfortunately I don’t have any rescues close enough to me. Am I best leaving him by himself for a few weeks or so, or getting a baby from a pet shop?

is there no way you can travel to a centre a little further away?
Rescue Locator

It depends how recently your other piggy passed. They are usually ok by themselves for a few weeks but after that they need a new friend. If it has already been a few weeks since your other piggy passed then I’d look to get him a new friend. Do be aware that as babies they are often accepted but it is once the baby gets to his teens that things can change. If the baby ends up wanting to be dominant as well then this is when problems can occur and unfortunately you won’t know about it until it happens. Always have a plan b in mind for living arrangements if things go wrong

this is the guide you will need to follow to carry out a neutral territory introduction. Do be aware that bonding boars is a one time thing - once you start you need to see it through to conclusion. Boars can’t be separated (unless they fight) once the process has started.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

As it is likely to be a pet shop piggy and therefore a baby, then babies cannot be quarantined and you must carry out the introduction as soon as you bring baby home.

Ensure you sex a pet shop piggy yourself as having a mis-sexed pet shop piggy isn’t uncommon, you don’t want to put a sow in with your boy if he isn’t neutered.

 

[katierush27]

is there no way you can travel to a centre a little further away?
Rescue Locator

It depends how recently your other piggy passed. They are usually ok by themselves for a few weeks but after that they need a new friend. If it has already been a few weeks since your other piggy passed then I’d look to get him a new friend. Do be aware that as babies they are often accepted but it is once the baby gets to his teens that things can change. If the baby ends up wanting to be dominant as well then this is when problems can occur and unfortunately you won’t know about it until it happens. Always have a plan b in mind for living arrangements if things go wrong

this is the guide you will need to follow to carry out a neutral territory introduction. Do be aware that bonding boars is a one time thing - once you start you need to see it through to conclusion. Boars can’t be separated (unless they fight) once the process has started.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

As it is likely to be a pet shop piggy and therefore a baby, then babies cannot be quarantined and you must carry out the introduction as soon as you bring baby home.

Ensure you sex a pet shop piggy yourself as having a mis-sexed pet shop piggy isn’t uncommon, you don’t want to put a sow in with your boy if he isn’t neutered.

No unfortunately I’m not able to travel, my piggie passed on Thursday so still very recent.

Thank you very much for the help, very much appreciated