What age should my new GP be?

[LittleGems]

Hey
I’m going to get a new guinea pig for my current one as her friend passed.
Should I get one about the same age as her or a baby. Which one is best?
Thanks a bunch
P.s she is 4y

 

[Merab]

It depends.
In terms of companionship it’s compatibility that matters, not age.
If you get a piggy of a similar age who is accepted by your girl they should be fine for the rest of their lives.
If you go for a youngster you should really think about 2 so that they won’t be left alone when the older one passes away.
This does mean you can end up in an unending cycle of guinea pigs.
When Merab lost her cagemate she was only 3.
I couldn’t find any rescues nearby (pre forum days) so I decided to get 2 baby girls. They would have each other and even if Merab didn’t bond they would all be in the same room so she would have company nearby.
It worked well.
Merab bonded instantly with the babies, mothered them and they gave her a whole new lease of life.
3 years on they still live happily together.

 

[DM030819]

@BellaBoo07 See if you can find a rescue that will let your piggy choose her own cagemate.

I've had older pigs that will happily accept youngsters and ones that only tolerate older pigs.

 

[Wiebke]

Hey
I’m going to get a new guinea pig for my current one as her friend passed.
Should I get one about the same age as her or a baby. Which one is best?
Thanks a bunch
P.s she is 4y

Hi! I am very sorry for your loss.

Mutual liking always comes before age or gender. You can look at any neutered boar or sow as long as your girl can choose her own new best mate for a happy bond. If you can, please date your bereaved sow at a good rescue under expert supervision, so it is your girl who can decide whether she is happy with a new mate and acceptance has happened before you come home with a new companion.

Over the years, I have dated anything from same age sows to 'toy boys'; the most striking example being my 5 years old Tesni and 5 months old Gethin, in whose case it was love at first sniff. Tesni sadly passed away 2 weeks ago, now aged 7 years. Gethin still lives with Tesni'd sisters who eventually joined after the loss of her own companion.

When I adopted 3 year old neutered boar Carwyn in 2015, he first lived with a frail 7 year old sow for a fre months who he was very kind with and then I bonded him with a 6 month/5 weeks old bonded sow couple. three years on, he and then baby Heini are still popcorning together even if it is now Heini in the prime of her life who is running the show!

Equally bereaved 3 year old Daisy/Dizzy was dated as a companion for my newly widowed Minx; they were exactly the same age. After Minx' death due to bladder cancer/trauma half a year later, Dizzy fell in love with a young rescue boar who adored her and always retained a soft spot for any older sows even though he became the founder patriarch around with I built up my big group adventure.

These are just some examples of dated piggies.

If you cannot date, preferably look for either a submissive piggy or ones that cannot challenge dominance. With young sows, it is generally advisable to adopt a bonded pair for better acceptance. Your bereaved girl will gain enormously in status and you do not have to go through the same problem of finding a new mate anytime soon.

More tips and links to recommended good standard rescues with dating in several countries via this link here: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig