Sudden loss

If it dosent work first time I’ll keep them in seperate hutches and then try again after a few days does that sound like a plan
 
ruthie1982 said:
If it dosent work first time I’ll keep them in seperate hutches and then try again after a few days does that sound like a plan
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If a bond fails first time then it’s usually due to incompatibility. If they are incompatible then you will never be able to try again: they would need to be kept in separate cages for the rest of their lives.

As I said, hutches do not work for separated piggies because there is no way for two hutches to be positioned in a way where the two piggies can be completely side by side

ruthie1982 said:
Also it says online not to bond a older sows with a baby straight away
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Where online are you seeing that? There is a lot of misinformation on the internet so you have to be very careful about what you are reading.

Babies must not be alone so you will need to bond them straight away for the sake of the baby.
The longest a baby could be side by side (and j so mean literally with just wire mesh between them) before bonding would be 24 hours but you will not be able to achieve side by side with hutches. If they are not totally side by side with only mesh between them then they can’t see each other, are not interacting and not getting to know each other so there is absolutely no benefit in keeping them apart anyway

If there is going to be an issue, then it could be because going tango doesn’t accept the baby. If she is fear aggressive (which can happen in older sows who have never had to meet a new piggy) then you might be able to try again but the situation is not an easy one to overcome - they could have to be apart for weeks which would not be good for the baby (and as I have said, difficult to achieve with hutches anyway)
 
ruthie1982 said:
So they don’t have to get used to each others scent first
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Not when you’re dealing with a baby under four months of age - as I say babies need companionship more than anything, so you need to try to bond them asap.

I assume you keep tango outside (given you have a hutch)?
 
Yeah I have to find out if my local pets at home will sell me a single piggie first
 
ruthie1982 said:
Yeah I have to find out if my local pets at home will sell me a single piggie first
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Yes that is another issue

If they don’t and you have to get a pair; then you would have to make sure you hutch is big enough for three - that is a 6ft hutch or 180x60cm
 
I am an adult and I do live alone but I can’t afford to have 3 guinea pigs . Two is enough
 
I phoned my local pets at home unfortunately they will not sell me a baby sow to bond with tango as they say a baby will have a harder time with an older guinea pig
 
ruthie1982 said:
I phoned my local pets at home unfortunately they will not sell me a baby sow to bond with tango as they say a baby will have a harder time with an older guinea pig
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It’s a shame they won’t sell you one but the information they have given is incredibly wrong (and why you can’t always trust the advice of pet shops) - it is not true that babies have a hard time with older piggies.
You will find many of us on here who have bonded babies with adults due to how much easier it is and how it is best for the baby to be with an adult who can teach them how to be a guinea pig. Babies learn from older piggies.

Bonding adults with adults (and particularly older sows) is where the biggest problems come about due to the issues with hierarchy and not being prepared to step down and lose position.

You will have to try to source a new friend for her from somewhere else as she cannot be alone
 
I don’t know where else to try I’m afraid . I’ll just have to give her lots of atention that is all I can do . Unless I keep checking in store when I get tangos essentials if they have any for adoption
 
ruthie1982 said:
I don’t know where else to try I’m afraid . I’ll just have to give her lots of atention that is all I can do . Unless I keep checking in store when I get tangos essentials if they have any for adoption
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I’m afraid human interaction isn’t enough to provide the companionship she needs, particularly with her living outside.
She could have another three or four years of life left so it’s too long to be alone - you will need to try to find a new friend for her from somewhere

Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
 
I don’t know where to try I’m afraid I’ll maybe keep an eye on rspca to see if they have any for adoption that’s all I can do
 
ruthie1982 said:
they will not sell me a baby sow to bond with tango as they say a baby will have a harder time with an older guinea pig
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That's a shame, because in my experience a 4 1/2 year old guinea is NOT too old for a baby. I've even had 6-8 year olds bonded with a baby. As I said upthread sometimes a really old guinea pig can find a rambunctious baby too energetic, but those bonds worked anyway.
 
Mrs Tiggy Winkle said:
That's a shame, because in my experience a 4 1/2 year old guinea is NOT too old for a baby. I've even had 6-8 year olds bonded with a baby. As I said upthread sometimes a really old guinea pig can find a rambunctious baby too energetic, but those bonds worked anyway.
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Yep - the shop has definitely given very poor advice in this case.
Older sows can be trickier but a baby stands a better chance of working with an older sow than two older sows together does

Albeit boars, but I bonded my bereaved 7 year old with one of my other young boys (who had previously fallen out with his cagemate)
 
ruthie1982 said:
I don’t know where to try I’m afraid I’ll maybe keep an eye on rspca to see if they have any for adoption that’s all I can do
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You're in Aberdeen, so actually you're looking at the SSPCA - the Scottish SPCA.
I see they have rehoming centre in Inverness and in Drumoak, Banchory. According to Google maps, Drumoak to Aberdeen takes 30 minutes by car and 34 minutes by bus. I know Google maps can be wrong and although I have lived in rural Scotland, I haven't been in Aberdeenshire, so can't judge how much slower the car journey might actually be.

My experience with pets is that sometimes you have to go a bit further. I don't have a car, I don't drive, but I always managed to get my guinea pigs to the vets, even if it took an hour to get there and another hour back by bus or train. And I have collected a guinea pig or two from 2-3 hours away by train. If it's too far for you for whatever reason, maybe a friend could drive you? Somebody other than your parents, I would suggest.

According to the SSPCA website, they only have 5 Small Animals up for adoption at the moment, of which two are a male pair of guineas in Glasgow. And the rest gerbils. So, nothing for you at the moment. But it's worth it to keep checking, and it's also worth it to contact the SSPCA and tell them you're looking for a baby sow! You don't know - any time somebody might surrender one to the centre in Drumoak (which is between Banchory and Aberdeen).

I'll give you the link for the SSPCA in a separate post.
 
General link SSPCA: Home - SA

The only two guineas up for adoption in Scotland at the moment, just to give you an idea of adoption process etc Find a pet - Scottish SPCA

Rehoming Centre, Drumoak, Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire


This might be interesting for you: SSPCA partnership | Aberdeenshire North CAB Citizens Advice Bureau
Partnership between Citizen's Advice Bureau and SSPCA in Aberdeenshire. It's about helping people with financial constraints to keep their pet. Although you are trying to find an additional guinea pig, you would need to tell them that a guinea pig shouldn't live on its own, so you have to get an additional one. I have no idea, but it is worth asking there if they maybe have a volunteer who could drive you to SSPCA Drumoak or pay the bus fare or... If a guinea pig comes in for adoption.
Not only do I not have a car, but I also can't afford guinea pigs any more, especially vet fees, so I do feel for you. I do have quite a lot of experience working out where I can get assistance. It's worth asking!

Good luck.
 
I have emailed the RSPCA’s and mrs murays here in Aberdeen to see if they know of anyone that is looking at putting up a female guinea pig for adoption or rehoming
 
Mrs Murray’s Is a cat and dog rehoming and boarding centre in Aberdeen but they board small animals too and sometimes rehome them also
 
I’m so annoyed with my pets at home store . My mums neighbour recently went into pets at home her in Aberdeen and they sold her a single baby Guinea pig that was in the enclosure by itself so what’s changed !
 
Is it to cold for my guinea pig to be out in there run when it’s 12 degrees and sunny
 
ruthie1982 said:
I’m so annoyed with my pets at home store . My mums neighbour recently went into pets at home her in Aberdeen and they sold her a single baby Guinea pig that was in the enclosure by itself so what’s changed !
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Sounds like you have been unfortunate and got a member of staff who doesn’t know where they are talking about


ruthie1982 said:
Is it to cold for my guinea pig to be out in there run when it’s 12 degrees and sunny
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12 degrees is too cold for indoor piggies. You don’t want them out until it is 15 degrees.
However, if she had already been living outside in her hutch then she would probably be ok in the run given she is already used to cooler temperatures.
The guide for when it is ok to put them out is that you need to be able to stand with bare feet on the grass and with bare arms and not feel cold. If you feel cold on your arms and feet then they will be too cold so can’t go out
 
Yeah she is outside in her hutch at the moment put I have a hutch cover on it to keep her warm
 
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