What to do when one pig passes away?

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Jane

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My guinea pig, Beauty, lived with Pepper for the last years of his life but unfortunately Pepper passed away yesterday. :(

I don't know exactly how old Beauty is, I would take a guess at around two and a half years old (we were told he was six months when we got them), therefore he most likely still has plenty of years left with me.

If he has another four years to live, I don't want him to have to spend those alone. When Pepper was still here they got along most of the time, they did of course have the odd scuffle, argument, etc but I think all pigs have that.

So I'm now in the situation of what is best for Beauty?

I've read that a baby boar would be the best for him to try and pair them up. If it doesn't work out, then I could separate the cage in half (currently a 5.5 x 2 C&C with an upper level of 5.5 x 1) but is it fair on the baby boar to only have interaction through the bars just because the older pig doesn't like him? Maybe I could get two baby boars, but would that work?

My options..

Get one baby boar and pair them - if it doesn't work out the cage can be split and they'll just have interaction through bars.

Get two baby boars and pair them - if it doesn't work out the cage can be split and the baby boars will hopefully still be friends. However, I don't think I'd be able to have three seperate cages if they all fell out :{ I mean, it could be done, but it wouldn't be ideal.

Leave him alone - but is it fair on him to be alone for the next years or whatever of his life?

Also, if I got one baby boar what if Beauty is older than I think and he passes away sooner than I imagine and the baby boar is left alone? That is a vicious circle then...

I know I could get Beauty neutered, but I wouldn't trust any of the vets around here to do that - when I first looked into getting pigs we did some research and most vets round here had never neutered a guinea pig or done very little.

Also, there is the problem of where I would get the babies from. When I first got my pigs, we searched for hours trying to find guinea pig rescues near here, or rescues that had guinea pigs. I also don't think any on here with baby pigs is particularly close to me. There is always pet shops, breeders etc but..? If it is in Beauty's best interest then maybe that will have to happen then.

So what would you do? Have you been in this situation and what did you do?

Have you bonded an adult boar with a baby boar and how did it go?

(please don't think I'm trying to replace Pepper - if I get another pig it will be for Beauty, rather than for myself)
 
Hi Jane,

Its your call but if it was me in that situation of just having one I would get a baby boar. Two babes can cause a problem if putting in with Beauty and they will probably fight once they got to the teenage stage.

I will have this dilemma one day I know and having 6 boars I don't want to go around replacing them. So my plan when the time comes is to position cages so a lone boar can see other pigs and when I have another lone boar pair them up.

Good luck with it!

Louise
x
 
Firstly, I'm sorry for your lost piggy, Jane. The situation you're in now is never an easy one to be in.
Secondly, you're right, it is a vicious circle... a circle I've been stuck in for the past 8 years!
One pig died, I replaced him with a younger friend, the younger friend out-lived the older boar, so a replacement was needed again etc.


So I guess it's up to you to decide now, how long exactly you want to keep it up for.
A single baby boar as a companion is the option that is most likely to succeed in a happy pairing, but then you are faced with the probability that the baby is going to out-live Beauty.
Another option you might want to consider, is perhaps seeing if you can find a sow that has been spayed, and is about the same age as Beauty.
They'll be likely to get along, and you'll have less chance of one pig out-living the other for too long a time.

Just something else you might like to consider. :)
 
I did think about a spayed female but I thought it would be very unlikely to find one - I know most places wont spay them unless there is a medical reason to do so...

Maybe a baby boar would be a good idea. If Beauty lives another four years, that would take the "baby" up to the age of four. If Beauty was older I think I would leave him alone, but because he is most likely around two and a half it seems a shame for him to not have a friend.

Does anyone know of anyone with baby boars near South Yorkshire?
 
Hi Jane, you do have a dilema and I feel for you!
Cherish's idea of a spayed sow would be the perfect solution but as I'm sure you know, it is rare to find one as spaying is not routinely done.

I can only tell you my experience of bonding baby/adult boar.
I rescued a boar of indeterminate age and went to a breeder (sorry before I knew better) and got a 5 weeks baby boar. From day one, baby mounted, dominated etc until eventually they had a horrid fight and I had to split. Timmy (baby) lived alone very unhappily for 3-4 months whilst I decided what to do and I found another baby. This time, I knew Timmys personality so I chose the shyest baby from the group of 3 baby boars after observing them for about an hour. It has worked brilliantly, that was nearly a year ago.

You must know Beautys temprement and who was boss pig between him and Pepper so try to go for the opposite temprement.

Introduce slowly with dividers at first, neutral territory etc..

That is my personal advice, other than neutering but then if you have no confidence in the vet, you are right not to consider it. Are you near any members here who have a boar to rehome? maybe you could introduce Beauty to see how they get along?

Good luck!
 
Jane, put a post in the rescue section asking for near your area, also try online/RSPCA etc
 
Thank you for the advice. I think I could try a baby boar, if it doesn't work out then, although it is a shame, the cage would very easily be seperated down the middle which would allow them to still have some company.

Someone on another forum who rescues pigs currently has some baby boars and she's not too far from me so maybe that will work out :) If not I will post in the rescue section.
 
I would get 2 baby boars and separate the cage in two. So sorry for your loss :( xxxxx
 
I think id do what kelly said, just because if they didnt get on the baby would be all alone lol! if you got two baby boars (or even girls) n had them living next to him he'd have someone to chat to but nobody to fall out with! I know Ralfie was happy living in between two sets of girls! But if you think he's a pig's pig (i think some prefer humans and some prefer other pigs) then go for a baby boar and see how it goes. Up to you though, i'm so sorry about Pepper :(
x
 
That is a good idea what Kelly and Emma are suggesting. That way too you'll have two a similar age so it may hopefully break the cycle of going around in circles with replacing pigs.

:)
 
Hi Jane

Sorry to hear about Pepper. It would be nice if you could get Beauty a friend. I recently got a 3 month old female (from Pets at Home adoption centre) to keep Elsie, my 5 year old, company and they seem to be doing really well together. But I'm afraid I don't know much about boars. If you decide to get a new piggie and can't get one from a rescue centre, have you thought about the open farm at Cannon Hall? That's where Elsie and her (now deceased) friend Phoebe came from. Just a thought. Good luck whatever you decide.
 
If I had to choose I would probaly find a litter with 2 baby boars in it and buy 1 and reserve the other. I would then try and get the first boy to get along with Beauty and if they didn't I would go back and get the other boy and do the split thing. 'd also make sure they got along at the breeders house to start off with. Goodluck :)
 
hi jane i think you would be doing the right thing by getting a little baby boar and introducing them gradually. Have you tried looking on the pre-loved website? its great for seeing what piggies are in your area and that's where i found a little baby for my lonely boar. It has worked out a treat and they get on fine.:))
 
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