bonding new pigs

[caerkev]

hi, i am new to the forum and sorry but going to start with a sad post.
we had 2 female pigs who where very close and loving but sadly on wednesday snowdrop became unwell we took her to the vets on friday who could see no obvious injury, but gave her antibiotics, sadly she went further down hill over night and passed away with her sole mate buggsy cuddled up to her.
we are obviously very upset and my two boys are in tears.
but thinking of buggsy's welfare should we consider trying to rebond her with a new friend as soon as posable or leave it for a while.
would she rebond with another pig , how would we do it etc etc.
sorry for sad start to my first post and all the questions
thanks kevin
p.s snowdrop and buggsy are 8 month old

 

[Wiebke]

I am sorry for your loss!

I have been in that situation twice and have always taken my lonely sows to a rescue to choose their new friend themselves.

Once a three year old sow attached herself to my girl of the same age - it just clicked and went as smooth as two widowed sisters moving back in together! A few months later I sadly had to take the new sow for a spot of "neutered boar dating", as there were no sows available in my region. Dizzy fell - hard - for the charms of 12 months old Llewelyn (who is still with me)! Both have been exceptionally loving relationships.

Ideally, you want to ring around any rescue within your reach and find one that allows you to take Bugsy to make her own choice. Thankfully, a lonely sow has the widest choice, as she is able to bond with either a sow or a neutered boar of any age, provided there is sympathy/interest on both sides.

Here is a list of reputable guinea pig rescues:
http://www.guineapigrehome.org.uk/gp/centres.asp

Please keep us posted about how Bugsy is getting on! We also have a Rainbow Bridge section if you wish to post a tribute to your other piggy.

 

[Suzygpr]

Hello Kevin, firstly welcome to the forum, what a pity it's under such sad circumstances.

Bugsy will need a new friend - whether it's another female or a neutered male is your choice. Your local rescue should be able to help find the perfect partner, do the introduction and initial bonding for you - they should also have a few potential partners so that if the first piggy she meets isn't a hit she can meet another.

I usually wait a week or so before trying a bereaved pig with a new friend - they have to have time to realise their cagemate isn't around anymore. I do it sooner for piggies that are miserable on their own, they must have a vet check first though to ensure they are well.

Where abouts are you? The forum is the best place to help you find a suitable rescue.

Suzy

 

[Dindypig]

Hi, and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry for the loss of Snowdrop.
I was going to say "I have no experience with bonding Piggies but there should be another member along shortly who will have all the advice you need to help Buggsy out."
But by the time I had written this, Wiebke and Suzgpr have allready logged on and answered you. Good luck.

 

[*SRH*]

Welcome to the guinea pig forum! I am also very sorry about the loss of Snowdrop.

Buggsy is probably feeling very depressed and lonely because guinea pigs do not feel happy with out a friend because they are herd animals. So because of those reasons, I would introduce them together straight away. This is because lonely animals will normally just accept another animal because they are so lonely.

However, to make sure that there are not dominance squabbles, I would try and get a quiet sow who would not show any interest in being being boss because Buggsy would probably want to be boss.

Introduce them in neutral territory and if they seem to be getting on well put some food in. If you feel that you can leave the without close supervision for a bit then go and clean out their house properly so that seems like neutral territory too.

Good luck.

 

[Wingus-dingus]

Hi and welcome
Sorry for your sad loss, but you'll get loads of good and friendly advice from forum members here.
Good luck finding a new friend for Buggsy