Bonding a 2yr sow

[Twigyythepiggy]

My guinea pig has just lost her companion and they were from the same litter. We lost her around Christmas suddenly. The one we still have was always the dominant one. My parents have now let me get another guinea pig after quarantine so I’m using this time to do some research. But I can’t decide weather to get a baby guinea pig or a similar aged one to my current guinea pig. If you could please help me that would be great. Thanks

 

[Piggies&buns]

Age is irrelevant when it comes to a successful bond. The key factor is character compatibility - the piggies have to like each other. If you just go out and buy another piggy, then there is no guarantee they will want to be together. The safest way to get a new piggy friend is to take your piggy dating at a rescue centre. That way, your piggy can find her on friend, one she does like and that will result in a good successful bond.

If you choose to go and buy a new piggy, then you must follow the correct bonding procedure. You must also have a plan B in case the bonding fails and that will mean both piggies having to live in separate cages. Hopefully any bonding done this way will go well, but it’s no guarantee.

These guides below explain everything I’ve said above in more detail

Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry

The best and safest way of finding your girl a new friend, whether that is a neutered boar or another sow is by dating her at a good welfare standard rescue under expert supervision, so she can choose who she wants to live with. this means that you come home only with a new companion if your sow is happy with them and have the rescue to fall back on in the (more unlikely) case that things go haywire.
You are also assured if you use one of our vetted and recommended rescues that any piggies are fully quarantined/vet cared, guaranteed not pregnant and properly sexed. And you will have the rescue to fall back on if you can't keep their adoptee for some reason. that is a lot of extra service and peace of mind that you won't get with a piggy from any other place.
Please accept that we cannot vouch for any other place; in English speaking countries anybody can call themselves a rescue or a breeder without licensing and supervision, and the results can be accordingly and any shade in between.
Rescue Locator (link to recommended rescues in some other countries at the bottom of the UK map)

if you can't get to any of these rescues, then please make sure that you have an alternative solution for keeping to two piggies that don't get on. Age and gender comes a long way behind mutual liking and character compatibility.