Should I get another guinea pig to go with my boar after having to separate him

L

Laurenx29

New Born Pup
Joined
May 11, 2021
Messages
7
Reaction score
1
Points
55
Location
Norfolk
Hi
I’m hoping someone can help.
I'm trying to work out what’s best. We had to separate our two boars as they were fighting and drawing blood. But due to space we are having to house the boars in two different households. Which means one boat will have no/ limited contact with other guinea pigs.
so I was wondering whether it would be worth me getting another guinea pig to introduce to the boar on its own or whether it would be best to leave him on his own.
we believe the two boars were fighting due to both having a more dominant personality.
any help or advice would be greatly appreciated
 
Hello,

Guinea pigs should not live alone. You are correct in suggesting companions for them. Though the tricky part is finding the right companion. Boars cannot simply be added in with another boar. No matter the age of the boar, it all comes down to character compatibility. If personalities clash, they will never get on.

You haven't said how old your boars are? As they will also go through a hormonal stage between 4 and 16 months.

The best way to find a companion is boar dating through an approved rescue, so that they can choose a friend of their own. Alternatively they can be neutered (wait 6 weeks post neutering) and bonded with a female.

You say you don't have the space in the house for them to live as neighbours? Are you sure you have space to accomodate a pair of guinea pigs in that case?

Apologies for all of the questions.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
 
Hiya no worries at all for the questions.
me and my friend own them and were housing them together but we have moved to different houses and since my friend no longer has space to house the two boars next to each other. One of the boars is going to live with me in my house but I was considering a companion due to knowing they arE best with another guinea pig.
they’re about 18 months old and have now been fighting multiple times a day and neither will give in so has cause blood to be drawn so after a lot of research we thought it would be best to separate them for their safety.
 
If they are fighting and have drawn blood, then yes you are correct to separate and it is very unlikely they will ever get along again.

Do have a read of the guides on here:
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Cages And Hutch Guide

If you are planning on attempting to bond him with another boar, this is really best via a rescue centre where boar dating can take place. Otherwise you may end up in this situation again. But he absolutely cannot live alone. The boar your friend has taken also cannot live alone.

Rescue Locator


Hope this helps.
 
Good you separated them. Once bloody or fighting has occurred then sadly they not going to live together. .
There are great advise and help on here to cover you're problem.
I hope this helps . . I wish you and piggies all the best.
@Bradshaw Piggies has given you great advise and links
 
I agree with everything @Bradshaw Piggies has said. Both piggies need their own new friends, although you can obviously only concern yourself with the piggy living with you, do inform your friend that that piggy also needs a friend.

It really is best to find a rescue centre to help you bond your boy with a new friend. That way you can be sure they have compatibility before bringing a new piggy home. Buying a piggy from a pet shop (or other source) means you do run the risk that the bonding might fail (and then they too will need to live in separate cages but as neighbours). Neutering, having the six week wait and then finding him a sow (again via a rescue given even boar/sow pairings need to be compatible) is also an option
 
Thank you so much all for your help.
the boar my friend is keeping will live in a cage next to a sow so will have the communication With her. But I will make sure she’s aware of everything said on here.

Perfect. I’ll have a look at local rescues and see how they go through with this process. Thank you so much for your help
 
Laurenx29 said:
Thank you so much all for your help.
the boar my friend is keeping will live in a cage next to a sow so will have the communication With her. But I will make sure she’s aware of everything said on here.

Perfect. I’ll have a look at local rescues and see how they go through with this process. Thank you so much for your help
Click to expand...
Perhaps you could discuss the neutering option with your friend? neighbours is the next best solution, but if they could potentially live as a pair that would be better for both.

Good luck with your boar dating!
 
Laurenx29 said:
Hiya no worries at all for the questions.
me and my friend own them and were housing them together but we have moved to different houses and since my friend no longer has space to house the two boars next to each other. One of the boars is going to live with me in my house but I was considering a companion due to knowing they arE best with another guinea pig.
they’re about 18 months old and have now been fighting multiple times a day and neither will give in so has cause blood to be drawn so after a lot of research we thought it would be best to separate them for their safety.
Click to expand...

Hi!

Please contact East Anglia Guinea Pig Rescue; it is your closest recommended good welfare standard guinea pig rescue which does offer rescue dating, so both boys can have their own say who they want to live with as a separate pair in the future for a stable bond. The rescue contacts can be found in our rescue locator: Rescue Locator

Please be aware that all our recommended rescues do comply with welfare recommendations in terms of cage size and general safety in their rehoming criteria. Especially for boars, space is crucial since fights generally occur where the under-boar cannot just move out, as they would normally do if character compatibility in their adult identity is not there.
Please take the time to carefully read our information:
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars (includes a chapters on boar dos and don'ts and on companionship options and how to best go about them).
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Cage Size Guide

I hope that this will help you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top