Rehomed a Pig and need some advice

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Kattyflaps

New Born Pup
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Hi guys,

I've recently rehomed a handsome gentleman called Ernie. He was given up 3 months ago due to being a "biter" and having "behaviour issues", the rehoming staff advised they have had no problem with him for the time they've had him (there was the odd nip here and there at the beginning). He's been with me 24 hours and has given me a few little licks when I checked him over before I popped him in his cage and he'll quite happily take food from my hand when offered. He's got a few splits in his ears so I'm assuming the issues were him not getting along with another pig.

I want to get him a friend to hang out with, I don't want him getting lonely/bored. I'm just wanting some advice on :
  • When would be best to do this? - Do I let him settle in for a few weeks first?
  • Whether to get a younger or older boy? - Ernie is around a year old.
  • Do I even get him a friend due to his "history"? - I do have a spare cage that's been kindly gifted by a friend so if it did all go to pot I have room for the two separately.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Kattyflaps said:
Hi guys,

I've recently rehomed a handsome gentleman called Ernie. He was given up 3 months ago due to being a "biter" and having "behaviour issues", the rehoming staff advised they have had no problem with him for the time they've had him (there was the odd nip here and there at the beginning). He's been with me 24 hours and has given me a few little licks when I checked him over before I popped him in his cage and he'll quite happily take food from my hand when offered. He's got a few splits in his ears so I'm assuming the issues were him not getting along with another pig.

I want to get him a friend to hang out with, I don't want him getting lonely/bored. I'm just wanting some advice on :
  • When would be best to do this? - Do I let him settle in for a few weeks first?
  • Whether to get a younger or older boy? - Ernie is around a year old.
  • Do I even get him a friend due to his "history"? - I do have a spare cage that's been kindly gifted by a friend so if it did all go to pot I have room for the two separately.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome!

It sounds like Ernie hasn't come from a good home and is a typical fallen-out teenager. :(

Please contact Milhaven Guinea Pig Rescue in Keighley; it is your closest recommended good standard guinea pig rescue and does offer boar dating/residential bonding at the rescue, which means that Ernie will only come home with a companion he has stably bonded with. If Ernie has not yet been quarantined, I would wait at least 2 weeks with bonding, but it is likely to take at least that long to set up a dating slot.

If he fails to bond with another boar, which can happen with teenage boars at the height of their testosterone, then your second option would be neutering so he can live with sow or two. That usually works but it is not as quick and a more expensive solution as it requires an operation by a preferably practised neutering vet and a 6 weeks post-op safety wait. The rescue should be able to advise you on which vet they use and be able to bond him with datable sows of theirs, so again you do not run the risk of ending up with piggies that are not gelling and don't have to do any nerve-wracking bonding yourself. You are also guaranteed a fully quarantined and vet cared healthy adoptee from any of our recommended rescues.

Here is information that you will find helpful:
Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues (includes contacts for Milhaven GPR)
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars (includes a chapter on companionship as well as neutering)
" Biting" And What You Can Do
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

All these links and many more very useful and practical ones are part of our New Owner's guide collection, which addresses specifically all the areas we get the most questions and concerns about and attempts to help you to as smooth a start as possible: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
 
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