Pig companion question

[dsut7890]

Hello all,

We've had a single boar for about 3 months now, we adopted him when he was about 8 months old and we decided he was lonely. My partner obtained another healthy guinea pig which is about a year old, but is unfortunately female.

So far, we have introduced the piggies, but kept them well separated as I think it's a bad idea that they breed. At the moment the boar is in his large (big enough for two) c&c cage and the sow is in a smaller basket like cage. We can add another floor to the cage so they'll have heaps of room

Our boar has been quite pleased by the company (even separated) and has been more active and noisy. He's usually very docile and sits in his igloo-hut most of the time. The sow is used to being kept as a single guinea pig, however the boar came from a community, where he was separated. (He was given away because the previous owner didn't want more babies.)

The problem is, I don't want them to breed (I think it would be difficult for the mother, although my partner thinks the babies will be cute) and keeping the pigs apart seems unsatisfactory. Our options appear to be: neutering the boar, or rehousing the female and adopting a male. We're concerned that neutering will unnecessarily endanger his health, and we're worried that he won't bond properly with a second boar.

Does anyone have experience with a similar situation?

 

[meganhannaford]

why not half the C&C cage desex the male and once the waiting period of 6weeks is over than bond the female and male

 

[gogoguineas]

I would do the above if your vet is confidant in neutering and gives him the all clear

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! The risk of mainly post-op complications depends very much on the quality of the operating vet team, but like with human operations, all risks can never be excluded. You also have to include the full six weeks post op wait to make sure that a boar is 100% safe - I have a surprise baby from a supposedly safe over 5 weeks post neutering op boar to prove that particular point!
http://www.cavyspirit.com/neutering.htm
It is well worth researching for a good and experienced vet and if necessary travel a bit further. Generally, mixed gender pairs are the most stable piggy bonding. I have had some very happy and loving "marriages".
Here are tips on how to find a good vet: http://www.guinealynx.info/vet.html
If you are based in Britain, we may be able to give you tips.

We do not advocate intentional breeding of any sort on this forum, as per forum rules. Guinea pigs are breeding machines - they can get pregnant again within hours of giving birth and the already fairly high risk of fatal complications for mum and pups rises significantly with back-to-back and later pregnancies due to the unusual length of piggy pregnancy. You would also be faced with exactly the same dilemma again, as you need to separate your boy before birth and have him neutered if he is ever to live long term with his girl... Guinea pigs can multiply very quickly with baby boars being able to make babies themselves from 3 weeks onwards and baby girls being able to become pregnant from 4 weeks onwards! mallethead

If you have the space and funds, why not find same gender friends for either? However, you will need to ideally keep boys and girls across the room so the girl pheromones don't set off the boys when they come into season; if necessary the boys above the girls - boys and girls can't live within sight of each other.
If you are based in Britain, we can provide a list of recommendable guinea pig rescues that offer "piggy dating" at their rescue, so your piggies can make their own choice of who they get on with under expert supervision; that is the best way of ensuring a stable bond.
If you are from the US, you could search on the internet whether you have shelters or rescue within your reach. This list encompasses only a few recommendable US rescues: http://www.guinealynx.info/rescue_organizations.html

If you wish, you are always welcome to post pictures of the privates in pregnancy section (which is monitored by some very experienced members) to make sure that any companions are the right sex and you won't have any accidents.

Each way has its pros and cons, so you'd do well to research and consider how you want to proceed. please don;t hesitate to ask any questions you may have.

 

[dsut7890]

Thanks all for the replies.

Unfortunately, we don't have the room to keep two separate piggie installations in our flat. We've decided to have the female adopted out (we found someone nice who can take and care for her), and look carefully at finding a male companion for our boar. We just can't justify the discomfort and potential risks of neutering him.