Best option for finding a friend for a 2 year old boy

[linzee]

Hi everyone

We have two year old boy pigs who live outside. Last night one of them disappeared and it looks almost certain that a fox got it :-(

I know guinea pigs should not live alone and as the piggy who is left is only 2 years old we definitely want to find a friend for him. What is the best option?

1. Try to bond him with an adult male the same age (does this ever work?)
2. Try to bond him with a young boy (which I believe is easier)
3. Get him neutered and get an adult female the same age
4. Get him neutered and get a young female

Which of these is most likely to result in a successful bonding? Option 2 is obviously easiest so I think we will go for this if we can - but is it certain they would get on? The last thing we want is two solo boys. (And of course we would be likely to be left with the younger one at some point in the future leading to the same issue.)

Also, what is the time frame we need to think about? I read the advice page which suggested that you can start finding a friend within a few days, but is it ok to leave it longer? (Which we would need to do if we got him neutered.)

We will also be looking at making the hutch better protected against foxes!

Thanks in advance
Lindsey

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum and I’m so sorry to hear this.

Character compatibility is the most vital part of a bond, Age Is less relevant - they simply must like each other to be able to bond - so no I’m afraid it isn’t certain a youngster would be successful either immediately or down the line when he hits his teens at 16 weeks onwards.
This means that finding a new friend via dating at a rescue centre is the best way to ensure compatibility. Your boy can choose his own new friend via dating so you know they do have compatibility regardless of age. If you buy a piggy from a pet shop, then a plan b is always needed in case of failure - hope for the best but prepare for the worst

Whether you go dating to find a boar, or have him neutered (then have the six week post surgery wait to become infertile) and the go dating to find a sow really is up to you and your boy.

In the meantime, please do try to move your boy inside so you can interact with him more while he is alone, but also for his safety - because if a fox has come once, then they will likely come again.

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

 

[linzee]

Thanks, that's really interesting. We'll have a think over the next few days and give him lots of cuddles in the meantime.
What about timing? If we wait too long is there a greater risk we won't be able to bond him with another pig?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Timing comes down to him really and how he is coping alone - the ’looking after a bereaved piggy’ guide I linked in explains the signs of a struggling piggy. You can monitor him more closely by switching from the routine weekly weight checks to instead weighing him more regularly (once a day) so you can check he really is eating enough hay.
If he really struggles, then the needs become more urgent and you have to do what is necessary for him - that would most likely mean taking the risk on a pet shop baby boar (once you have definitely checked the sex of any pet shop piggy yourself so you don’t end up with a missexed and then pregnant sow). Otherwise, you have a few weeks. There is likely going to be a waiting list as a rescue centre, so getting your name onto a list quickly will obviously reduce that wait.
If you have him neutered, then he has a six week wait before he can be taken for sow dating