Guinea Pig, does he need a friend?

[scrwright]

Had 2 GPs up until last month when 1 died. We got them 6 months ago from a rescue place as a pair (both males), dead one was older than the one we have which seems to be fairly young.

Question is, do we get him a hutch mate? And if so it will have to be a male really, don't want little uns. Will it work out or not? Or do I leave him on his own for what could be 3 odd years (seems mean to me TBH)

I can split the hutch for a week or so so they get used to each other without actually being together.

thoughts please peeps

[Ekona]

Our piggle lost her sister end of last year, and we were worried about her at first but she seems absolutely fine. Eats, drinks and sleeps as normal, no odd behaviours or anything, so we've left her be. I'd take it a day at a time and see how he gets on, if he seems odd then consider a friend but I'd say there's no need to rush and make a decision.

[rosie11]

As a breeder/exhibitor of pedigree guineas For some 40+ yrs. i know that they do much better as pairs, with yours being male I recommended you find a young male t bond with him, what area are you in? I can try and locate a local breeder who would sort out a young male for your pig, its no good putting anything older than 6-7 weeks in with him, it' wants to be young enough so he is dominant over it straight away.

[The Highway Man]

I wouldn't line the pockets of a breeder when there are so many piggies in rescues looking for homes. Have a look on this site to see where your closest rescue so you can try and find a new friend for your piggie.

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/

[scrwright]

thanks for the link, found my way to http://jackiesguineapiggies.com/Companionship.html from there. Some interesting reading, seems introducing a younger boar is the way to go. Will start looking about. Just played Toffee some of the piggie recordings on the site, quite funny watching him try to find the GP in my laptop

[scrwright]

Found a local rescue group who do "speed dating" http://cavyhavenwinsford.weebly.com/boars.html

As soon as they call back Toffee is off to find a new hut mate

[The Highway Man]

scrwright said:

thanks for the link, found my way to http://jackiesguineapiggies.com/Companionship.html from there. Some interesting reading, seems introducing a younger boar is the way to go. Will start looking about. Just played Toffee some of the piggie recordings on the site, quite funny watching him try to find the GP in my laptop

Glad we could be of assistance, I'm one of the admins on TGPF by the way.

[scrwright]

Toffee has a new mate. Just visited the rescue lady from the link above taking Toffee for some speed dating. First try didn't work, put in with a boar called Oliver it was teeth chattering straight away. Second attempt was with a boar called Stevie, 5 minutes of pushing and grunting to decide Toffee was boss then they sat down and shared a bowl of scoff. Picture post feeding with Toffee on the right looking quite chilled out with his new friend.

Just brought them home to a cleaned out hutch & they seem happy enough, no squabbles so far.

[The Highway Man]

Excellent news, I hope Toffee has a long happy life with his new friend.

[scrwright]

Hmmm, well it lasted a night

Seems new chap decided hutch bedroom was his and his alone and it kind of went down hill from there. Went back to rescue place and tried a few more potential friends but Toffee wasn't up for it. They have a litter at 5wo with a male so we will give him a go in a couple of weeks, if that doesn't work out he is for a single life.

[The Highway Man]

Sorry to hear that, there will someone else there for him.

[rosie11]

He needs A very young friend, the age of the one you tried was far too old, ideally a newly weaned one that's been away from mum for a week so he's got used to life with out mum, I ofton pair up my breeding boars when they are not being used, I will always put in a 4 week old baby and they are happy as Larry.