Choosing a new guinea pig - help!

[JaackH]

About a year ago we got ourselves 2 guinea pigs, both males - we were assured by the shop that they had lived together in the store for a while without issue. They did nothing but fight after we got them and we tried anything and everything to help them get along but in the end, we sadly had to call it a day and decided to return one of them.

Since then, he has seemed happy and healthy but we are very conscious that guinea pigs are social creatures so we'd really like to find him a new friend to live with. This is where we're a little stuck.

The main options that we can see are to get our little guy neutered and introduce a female, to introduce a female who can't breed, or to introduce a younger male.

What experience have others had with this? We'd prefer not to get a new piggie who's TOO young, as we don't want an endless cycle of one being left alone when the older one dies!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Reenie]

Hi, and welcome to the fourm..
Your best bet is to find a rescue who can do a bonding session, which will make sure your wee guy gets a friend he gets on with. There are some listed in the rescue locator tab at the top of the page.
You'll also find loads of great information in the forums tab, about looking after, bonding, feeding, behaviour etc., but always feel free to ask.

I hope you get a good match for your piggy!

 

[Piggies&buns]

I absolutely agree that finding a rescue centre who can help with bonding is the best way to do it. Character compability is the most important part so if you choose a friend for your piggy regardless of sex or age, you still have no guarantee that they will get on. Using a bonding service at a rescue means that your piggy will choose his own friend which results in a better bond as you know they will be compatible.

 

[Wiebke]

About a year ago we got ourselves 2 guinea pigs, both males - we were assured by the shop that they had lived together in the store for a while without issue. They did nothing but fight after we got them and we tried anything and everything to help them get along but in the end, we sadly had to call it a day and decided to return one of them.

Since then, he has seemed happy and healthy but we are very conscious that guinea pigs are social creatures so we'd really like to find him a new friend to live with. This is where we're a little stuck.

The main options that we can see are to get our little guy neutered and introduce a female, to introduce a female who can't breed, or to introduce a younger male.

What experience have others had with this? We'd prefer not to get a new piggie who's TOO young, as we don't want an endless cycle of one being left alone when the older one dies!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi and welcome!

It is great that you want to find your boy a companion. Boars can fall out when they hit the teenage months but also when they are moved to a new location. It is also not very easy for new owners to distinguish between dominance behaviour and fighting, or shop staff to be competent enough to notice any subtle indicators of potential problems.
You can keep boars that do not get on as next door neighbours with round the clock interaction through the bars if you have got the space.

You may find this information here helpful. Please be aware that spayed sows are generally very rare. There are a few spaying rescues in the US and Canada and one in New Zealand, but none in the UK.
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths And Facts
Bonds In Trouble

We may be able to help you with recommendations if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your account details (via clicking on your username on the top bar). We have got members from all over the world. Your options depend very much on access to good rescues that offer rescue dating (key to any successful piggy bond is mutual liking and character compatibility over age or sex) and competent vets.
We have got a recommended UK rescues and vet locator on the top bar, but can provide a link for some other countries if wished.