To separate or not?

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Bubbles&Thomas

Bubbles&Thomas

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Hello to everyone on this wet windy day! I just wonder if I can pick your expert brains please? I know there is lots of info about Boar behaviour on here, but I just don't know what to do.....

We sadly lost one of our Boars Bubbles in the summer (info on this thread www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=73214). I then got Thomas a little friend called Gary from a lovely rescue, as he seemed lonely.

I would say that Thomas and Gary "tolerate" each other. They have had 1 serious fight, but other than that just rumble and teeth chatter at each other. I just don't feel that Thomas is as happy with Gary as he was with Bubbles and wondered if you could give me some advice as to what I should do. They both eat and drink well (from separate bowls), but I would say they lead totally separate lives - Gary spends most of his time when not eating in the bedroom, and Thomas lives in a little Igloo in the main part of the cage. Their cage is big enough for them to have their own space, which is good.

I just cleaned them out, and noticed Thomas just looks sad, not ill though :( He is now 4 1/2 so is a fairly elderly/middle aged Guinea whereas Gary is roughly a year (the rescue could not be certain) - do you think I should separate them and let Thomas live out his twilight years as an indoor piggie on his own, and maybe find a new mate for Gary, or just leave them to it (so to speak). As I say, they don't fight as such, but seem quite grumpy towards each other..

Any advice is very gratefully received.

Many thanks

x
 
could you take them both boar dating? if thomas is used to having a snuggly friend he maybe missing that.
 
If you are going to separate them they will need friends. Do you have space to house two more boars? The best way for boars is for them to choose their own friend through boar dating. Rescues offer this service. I can understand your concerns for your little one. Do they ever wheek for each other when they are apart?
 
Hiya, thanks for the replies. Yes I took Thomas Boar dating at the rescue - that's how we have Gary...

I don't really have room for two extra Boars so am not sure what to do at all.
 
Well they are getting along and it is not like they have drawn blood. I am sure they are closer then you think.
 
My boars dont wheek for eachother when they are appart, however they do follow eachother around when exploring, and definatly retreat to the same place when scared. I hope they are happy together. :)
 
Connie - that's a good idea. I think I'll bring them into the dining room tomorrow which is a room they aren't familiar with..put them down and see what they do. Thomas and Bubbles would follow each other around, so I'll see how Thomas and Gary behave...

Thanks for this xx:))
 
I should add, my boars dont wheek much at all if I'm around. :) Sometimes when they have floor time, and when they think I'm asleep though. :)

I think, as long as they dont hate eachother, or bully eachother, or seem unhappy, then i would leave them. But you know your piggies best, so it has to be your judgement.
 
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