Change In Piggie Behaviour

[Kim Barkas]

We have a boar who is nearly 5 months old Jewel. He has not bonded with any other guinea pigs we have tried him with so far so we are waiting till he can be neutered to try and find him a girlfriend. he gets lots of human attention and seemed to enjoy it. Previously he would seem quite happy and when having floor time he would quite happily hop on and off my lap and explore and popcorn. However hes recently been either staying just on my lap or sitting right next to me not moving around. Have also seen him trying to dig out of his playpen. he also seems more skittish in his cage and he has also started sleeping outside of his shelter. Any ideas? is this just a stage?

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

He might just be getting more comfortable with you Piggies sleep outside their hides when they're relaxed and used to you which is a good sign!

My Iggy was always trying to get out when he was on his own, he still tries but it's because he wants to get to the girls now that he lives next to them

Once you get him a friend he'll be a lot happier so just do what you're doing and I'm sure he'll be fine

 

[Wiebke]

We have a boar who is nearly 5 months old Jewel. He has not bonded with any other guinea pigs we have tried him with so far so we are waiting till he can be neutered to try and find him a girlfriend. he gets lots of human attention and seemed to enjoy it. Previously he would seem quite happy and when having floor time he would quite happily hop on and off my lap and explore and popcorn. However hes recently been either staying just on my lap or sitting right next to me not moving around. Have also seen him trying to dig out of his playpen. he also seems more skittish in his cage and he has also started sleeping outside of his shelter. Any ideas? is this just a stage?

Your boy is now in the teenage months and is exhibiting more dominant boar behaviour. He should be old enough for the snip which depends on the testicles being descended.

Please be aware that you need to find either a good general vet with plenty of practice in boar neutering or an exotics vets with experience in small furries' ops in order to minimise the still persisting risks of post-op complications like a bad reaction to GA drugs or abscesses.
You also need to factor in a full 6 weeks post-op wait until your boy is totally safe to go with a sow. My surprise baby Tegan in my avatar picture is the unplanned result of a supposedly safe over 5 weeks post-op boar (not one of mine); it can and does really happen as late as this and it is not an isolated case. I have yet to hear of an over 6 weeks case despite of hundreds of successful mixed gender intros at UK rescues in the intervening years.
Guinea Pig Vet Locator

If your boy is a difficult bonder, I would strongly recommend to go via a rescue that offers dating so you come home with a companion or two only if acceptance has happened. A rescue that offers residential dating would be best.
Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator

 

[Kim Barkas]

thank you. we have a very good rescue near us that offers bonding and they have recommended a cavy savvy vet so will look into it!