When should I get another one?

HumanWithFurryPotats

HumanWithFurryPotats

Junior Guinea Pig
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My oldest guinea pig recently passed away, and my 1 year old one is grieving. She looks sad and bored without a friend. I am planning on getting another one, but I don’t know when is the right time.
 
I would think now if she’s depressed - they really perk up when they’re with company again. You could have a bonding session at a rescue to make sure she gets a friend she likes.
 
If she is depressed, then I would agree with now being a good time. I had one who was okay on her own for about a year until I got her a new friend and then another one who I knew just needed a pal straight away. It’s lovely to see them popcorning when you find them a new friend!
 
Ok, so I have a question, my Guinea Pig is used to being the dominant piggy. So when we were checking out shelters for pigs, we found one who is a bit older than my piggy, and bigger. I found another shelter with a lot of piggies, but the oldest are 6 months. I heard that adult Guinea Pigs do better with babies, because they don’t feel threatened. My parents say get the bigger one because they are around the same age and can grow up together. I don’t know which to choose.
 
Would your rescues allow you to take her so she can pick a friend? Many rescues now do bonding sessions and once they’ve shown they get on with each other you can take them home to continue the bonding process in a neutral environment. This way you get a friend she likes rather than risk getting a pig she doesn’t get on with.
 
I bonded my 4 year old with a 9 mnth old and was worried about that but after a rocky start they get on fine now.... good luck and sorry for your recent loss x
 
Good luck! I hope she finds her new best friend x Let us all know how you get on and photos please x
 
HumanWithFurryPotats said:
My oldest guinea pig recently passed away, and my 1 year old one is grieving. She looks sad and bored without a friend. I am planning on getting another one, but I don’t know when is the right time.
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Sorry for your loss. Just recently had to have my oldest guinea pig pts and we have a 3 year old blind one. We are looking to get him a friend. xx
 
HumanWithFurryPotats said:
My oldest guinea pig recently passed away, and my 1 year old one is grieving. She looks sad and bored without a friend. I am planning on getting another one, but I don’t know when is the right time.
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Hi!

I am very sorry for your loss!

If your piggy is not eating/drinking/facing the wall, then you are dealing with acute pining and need to see a vet first immediately to exclude an illness cause by the lowered immune system and then - if cleared - get at a companion asap.

Otherwise, you have about 1-4 weeks leeway; depending on how well or not your bereaved piggy is coping on their own. Generally you aim for sooner for those that are struggling if at all possible.

You can find more information in our piggy bereavement guide link below, including links to good standard rescues in several countries that offer rescue dating, i.e. bonding under expert supervision at the rescue so that your girl can decide whether she wants to be with a pig and you come home only with a fully quarantined, healthy, guaranteed not pregnant and properly sexed companion only if acceptance has happened. You can look at sows or neutered boars of any age.
Older sows can be tricky to re-bond; in this case, a next door neighbour or two can give her the kind of stimulation she still needs but does allow her to have her own territory.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities (discusses the challenges you can face with a bereaved piggy and how you best go about finding a new companion in more detail)
 
I'm sorry for your loss! There really is no magic age gap that helps pigs to get along. It's down to personality. So either another adult or a younger pig is a good option. That said, if you know your pig enjoys being the boss, it may be a good idea to observe the potential friends among other pigs to try not to pig another dominant pig who enjoys being the boss. We've had good luck matching up a dominant remaining pig with a pig who was not at the top of the pecking order with the other pigs around them. We also had good luck matching up a really meek pig with a baby who immediately became her boss because age really doesn't matter to the piggie pecking order! If you can 'test drive' your pig with new friends that would be great, but I'm very aware that it's not an option in all places (it never has been for me.) Best of luck!
 
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