Bonding a 6 week old with a 2yr old

Tales of Bonnie and Frieda

Tales of Bonnie and Frieda

New Born Pup
Joined
Jun 27, 2020
Messages
9
Reaction score
23
Points
175
Hello there 👋
I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice with bonding my new baby sow Freida and my 2yr old sow Bonnie I’ve been watching lots of videos to get an idea of what’s normal behaviour but I can’t seem to find any info on when I should bond them ? I’m wondering if I should let Freida settle in her temporary cage for a day or so before bonding or try bonding them as soon as I get her home

Thank you - Mia , Bonnie and Freida
 
How old is Freida? If she’s very young then you need to bond her now. Make sure you do it on neutral ground and thoroughly clean out the cage they’d live in together.
 
Thank you for the speedy reply !
Frieda is 6 weeks old currently so still just a baby I think Bonnie has been missing the company since her sister teacake passed away a month ago but finding a female guinea pig to bond her with has been like trying to find a unicorn all the stores we rang only had boys and most breeders had stopped during quarantine so finding Frieda was like finding gold ! Hopefully they get along just fine which from the videos I’ve seen is usually the case with sows and babies - thank you Mia, Bonnie and Frieda
 
A successful bond comes down entirely to character compatibility but you’ll only know by trying in this situation. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
 
Good luck with the bonding. Have a thorough read of the links you were given above before you proceed. And make sure you have an entire day to carry out the bonding.
 
Tales of Bonnie and Frieda said:
Hello there 👋
I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice with bonding my new baby sow Freida and my 2yr old sow Bonnie I’ve been watching lots of videos to get an idea of what’s normal behaviour but I can’t seem to find any info on when I should bond them ? I’m wondering if I should let Freida settle in her temporary cage for a day or so before bonding or try bonding them as soon as I get her home

Thank you - Mia , Bonnie and Freida
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

Please take the time to read and watch our bonding guide. The advice in the chapters about pre-bonding measures as well as introducing babies is quite specific.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Please be aware that mutual liking and personality compability is key to any successful bond. Not every bonding attempt will be necessarily successful. Is your adult a bereaved or a long term single piggy?
 
Hi -
Bonnie was bereaved about a month a go she had lived with her sister Teacake her whole life and they never had any issues with dominance as it was always Bonnie being the boss and teacake being the submissive one she’s been eating well since the loss but I’m aware my company doesn’t compare to what she had with her sister
- Mia , Bonnie and Frieda
 
Tales of Bonnie and Frieda said:
Hi -
Bonnie was bereaved about a month a go she had lived with her sister Teacake her whole life and they never had any issues with dominance as it was always Bonnie being the boss and teacake being the submissive one she’s been eating well since the loss but I’m aware my company doesn’t compare to what she had with her sister
- Mia , Bonnie and Frieda
Click to expand...

In this case she will be hopefully happy to have a new friend!

Especially single piggies or piggies that have been with their companion all their life long can overreact (fear-aggression) when meeting a new piggy because they are feeling insecure or have missed out as youngsters on crucial socialisation during the formative weeks between weaning and teenage. Our bonding guide also has a chapter on fear-aggression, too.
 
Thank you I’ll have a read of the fear aggression chapter I’m hoping it’s all smooth sailing but if not we’ve got a plan b where they can live side by side 🙂
 
Good luck with the bonding! They’re both gorgeous :love: Hope they get on well :D
Sorry you lost Teacake x
 
Tales of Bonnie and Frieda said:
Thank you I’ll have a read of the fear aggression chapter I’m hoping it’s all smooth sailing but if not we’ve got a plan b where they can live side by side 🙂
Click to expand...

All the best! Every bonding is different and unique as it relies on the dynamics between two individual personalities so you can never say beforehand how it will go. if you can, give them a night or a few hours in a divided pen to allow them to meet each other before bonding. that will take some of the extra stress out of the equation.
 
Hi everyone thought I’d give a small update on bonding Bonnie and Frieda
So we’ve set up a large dog pen for them to meet in and they seem very happy eating lettuce together and grooming each other I’m going to leave them for a few more hours then place them in the clean cage if things keep going well I’d also like to thank everyone for the advice it’s worked a treat :D
Mia Bonnie and Frieda 22E494D2-8C72-4AB9-A13E-9C4FD420FC7B.webp
 
That is such a cute picture! Almost a little protective stance from the older one. Hope it continues to progress well.
 
Bonnie the oldest one is besotted with Frieda and I believe the feeling is mutual - they’ve gone back into the cage and all seems well they’ve even be sharing a hide although there’s one each and a tunnel I think this is the start of a good friendship :roll:
- Mia Bonnie and Frieda
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top