The journey of getting a new pig

Sappyshelly

Sappyshelly

Teenage Guinea Pig
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We lost Farley a few days ago. I miss him so much, and I can imagine Clifford does to. We will be getting him a new cage mate. As of now I am not ready to get a new pig, since I’m still currently grieving over Farley, and I don’t want to just jump to a new pig. I will be adopting a new pig, and I know a few rescues in my area. I will basically be posting my journey of finding rescues and the other steps made to find the perfect cage mate. I really think Clifford would benefit with a wife pig. I know this is a stupid question, but can Clifford be with a spayed female, even though he’s not neutered? Will it cause problems if he’s not neutered? I found a rescue with a ton of spayed females, but I just want to clarify. Thanks!
 
I like the idea of this thread.
It could really help a lot of people as we are never ready for a new piggy when our bereaved piggies are ready for a companion.
I think it’s lovely that you are doing this
 
This is unrelated to this thread, but I saw Clifford do a little popcorn after placing him in his clean cage. It’s either he was happy it was cleaned, or he liked the new liner. Either way, I’m so happy to see my boy doing decent after Farley’s passing. I could tell he’s been a little sad today, so I made sure to give him extra love. The little popcorn made me so happy though.
 
I want to wish you the best of luck in finding a suitable cagemate for your Clifford, and sorry to hear about losing your Farley.

My pets mostly die of old age but I still find myself grieving. My hamster Humphrey was 4.5 years of age when he died very recently, and I still think about him, RIP Humphrey. I must say I can relate.
 
If you do, please post some photos on here! Oh and remember the 2 week quarantine period too.
 
Step one of the journey: determine what we are looking for.

Since Clifford is a dominant boy, I’m looking for a submissive male pig, or a spayed female.
 
Good luck with that. Spayed females are rarer than hen's teeth! May be better to get Clifford neutered, waiting out the 6 weeks so he's safe and then introducing him to a wifelet.
 
Actually, the rescue where i got Clifford at had a few males I’m interested in. I was gonna go to the rescue possibly this Saturday. They have 4 month old who I thought would do great with Clifford. I’m not sure though.
 
Ok so I guess the next step of the journey is to come up with a plan. Feel free to critique it if you have any concerns. My plan is pretty specific.
So basically after seeing who Clifford likes best, we will be taking them home in separate places. I will have to use a box for the new pig, since I only have one carrier that smells like Clifford. The pig will then be on the quarantine period. He will sadly have to be kept in a pet store cage for two weeks. I would use the 2 by 2 c and c loft, but Clifford's been sleeping up there a lot recently and I wouldn’t want to block it off for his sake. I most likely won’t be taking him to the vet, since the pig comes from a rescue and they use the same vet we do (the rescue reccomended them to us. This is the same rescue I adopted Clifford and Farley from) I will be introducing them in the bath tub with some bonding hay. Clifford had never been in the bath tub. I do have some experience with re introducing pigs, since I did it with Clifford and Farley after they were separated for two weeks after Farley’s surgery. After they interacted and had a nice nap, and hopefully everything went well, they will be placed in there new, clean cage to live a happy life together.
 
If it will come from a reputable rescue, you don't need to quarantine him/her, especially when it already has been bonded with your piggy at the rescue. Do not separate them when they are both in your house. You need to clean and probably rearrange a bit of your piggies house so that your 1st piggy won't be so territorial with his house with the new one.
 
Oh thank you! I’m still quite new to this! So they can come home in the same carry case? I’ll probably will have to finish the bonding process at my home since we will be coming to the rescue at a later time. (Around 4:30 ish) @anyar.dris
 
Sappyshelly said:
Oh thank you! I’m still quite new to this! So they can come home in the same carry case? I’ll probably will have to finish the bonding process at my home since we will be coming to the rescue at a later time. (Around 4:30 ish) @anyar.dris
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The rescue should now when they have bonded and let you both bring them. I believe sometimes it would take a week before they can find a proper bonding in the rescue. Hopefully your piggy can bond with another piggy very quick.
 
Here’s our little boy. 769AE2B5-3699-4116-8ABF-F4A4CDD68E6A.webpHe’s very nervous. He’s about 9 months old. We will be getting him a vet check once he’s settled in, because he actually just came to the rescue today, so he got adopted the same day he was surrendered. He’s very submissive. I feel so bad because Clifford has been a humping machine the last few hours, and the poor little boy just wants some peace. I don’t want to separate them because we will have to start the process all over again. He didn’t eat the salad I gave him tonight, but he just curled up for a nice nap. I will make him a separate forum once he settles in.
 
Update: tension has definitely gone down. Leo had a little nap. When he woke up I could tell he definitely got more comfortable. He drank from both bottles, and ate some pellets and hay. He’s so adorable. This is definitely a new experience for me. I’ve never had a guinea pig this young. I usually adopted out seniors or pigs close to senior hood. He’s got so much energy, I can already tell. I’ve seen him try to be dominant towards Clifford. He tries to sneak up behind and try’s to mount Clifford, but Clifford usually catches him and gives him a glare and than Leo runs away as if to say “I’m sorry! I’m sorry”. It’s really cute.
 
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