Question about Guinea Pig Bonding

[StrawberryLemonade]

Around three weeks ago, I adopted a young pair of sister guinea pigs. One of those sweeties passed away a week and a half ago and it shattered my heart. I've thought on it, and I really do adore the remaining pig and I want what's best for her.

I've read over the bonding guides this site offers, and I do want to find a friend for my piggie. "Dating" doesn't seem like a viable option for me, given where I am. My question is, what are my best options for bonding? Should I adopt another young sow when I find one? I was also contemplating rescuing a young male pig and neutering him. The older pigs I've found at rescues are all already bonded, and I do intend to limit my pigs to two but I want them happy.

 

[DMS260820]

The best thing for you I think, would be to find a single neutered boar, but I have no idea how easy that would be. So yea, like you said, getting a rescue boar and having him neutered has a high chance of working.

You will be best looking at vets that have experience in neutering guinea pigs first, to lessen the chances of complications afterwards.

 

[Wiebke]

Around three weeks ago, I adopted a young pair of sister guinea pigs. One of those sweeties passed away a week and a half ago and it shattered my heart. I've thought on it, and I really do adore the remaining pig and I want what's best for her.

I've read over the bonding guides this site offers, and I do want to find a friend for my piggie. "Dating" doesn't seem like a viable option for me, given where I am. My question is, what are my best options for bonding? Should I adopt another young sow when I find one? I was also contemplating rescuing a young male pig and neutering him. The older pigs I've found at rescues are all already bonded, and I do intend to limit my pigs to two but I want them happy.

Hi!

I am very sorry for your loss!

Where are you located? We have members and enquiries from all over the world and from very different backgrounds/access to good vets and rescues, which means that each of us has to adapt their options to their local availabilities.
You can help us a lot by adding your country, state/province or UK county to location in your account details (by clicking on your username on the top bar); this makes it appear with every post you make and allows us to tailor any advice to what is relevant and available where you are straight away instead to of keeping our recommendations as general as possible.

Young sows will usually pretty easily bond with either gender. Mutual liking and character compatibility come a long way before age. Please be aware that a neutered boar needs a) access to a good operating vet in order to keep the risk of post-op complications down and b) that there is the matter of a 6 weeks post-op wait before he is safe to live with a sow; so it is not a quick fix.
The little baby in my avatar picture on the left is the unplanned daughter of an over 5 weeks post-op boar (not one of mine); so it can really happen as late as that. Tegan died in August not all that long before her 8th birthday. if you can find a sow, then that would be by far the easier option.
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

 

[StrawberryLemonade]

Hi!

I am very sorry for your loss!

Where are you located? We have members and enquiries from all over the world and from very different backgrounds/access to good vets and rescues, which means that each of us has to adapt their options to their local availabilities.
You can help us a lot by adding your country, state/province or UK county to location in your account details (by clicking on your username on the top bar); this makes it appear with every post you make and allows us to tailor any advice to what is relevant and available where you are straight away instead to of keeping our recommendations as general as possible.

Young sows will usually pretty easily bond with either gender. Mutual liking and character compatibility come a long way before age. Please be aware that a neutered boar needs a) access to a good operating vet in order to keep the risk of post-op complications down and b) that there is the matter of a 6 weeks post-op wait before he is safe to live with a sow; so it is not a quick fix.
The little baby in my avatar picture on the left is the unplanned daughter of an over 5 weeks post-op boar (not one of mine); so it can really happen as late as that. Tegan died in August not all that long before her 8th birthday. if you can find a sow, then that would be by far the easier option.
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

I live in Michigan, in the US. I looked over the site for my local rescue, and at the moment it's all bonded pairs and the one lone boy. --And oh no, on the surprise baby pig! (Very cute photo though.)

I had been thinking it'd be best to bond my girl sooner rather than later due to her age.

Thank you for your advice, everyone.

 

[Wiebke]

I live in Michigan, in the US. I looked over the site for my local rescue, and at the moment it's all bonded pairs and the one lone boy. --And oh no, on the surprise baby pig! (Very cute photo though.)

I had been thinking it'd be best to bond my girl sooner rather than later due to her age.

Thank you for your advice, everyone.

The US Midwest is rather difficult when it comes to good rescues...
Unfortunately it also means that neutering operations are lot more expensive than in the UK.

If you get a shop piggy, please take these information here into account so you know what to look out for: What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)

Here is our comprehensive illustrated bonding guide that takes you through all stages of a bonding with the attendant tpyical behaviours and dynamics: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Here is our sow guide, which also includes a chapter on typical sow behaviour (dominance) as your girls are settling together: Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

As far as little extra piggies go, Tegan did have it all, and then some! I still miss her, her auntie and her two childhood playmates who have all left me this summer/autumn over the course of just three months due to old age... But at this grand age, I can't complain!
Goodbye Tegan - always 'my baby'!

All the best for finding a new friend for your little girl!