Does my male guinea pig living on his own need a companion?

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Chantelle14

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Hello everyone😁

In January 2018 I adopted 3 male guinea pigs from pets at home, I was told they did get on and that Waffle was the most dominant guinea pig and in the first few days some fights may go on as they settle into their new home. So I brought them home (they have a very large cage) there was some fighting to be expected but it was very bad, it continued for 2 weeks and pets at home were just no help and the fights got worse and worse. The other guinea pigs had many cuts on them which had been bleeding and they were starting to fight back with Waffle leaving him with cuts. I knew it would be a fight to the death soon and the only advice I was given was to give Waffle the snip. So Waffle has that done at the vets and was separated from his brothers after the operation to allow time to heal. We followed all advice and after 7 days were told to reunite all the Guinean pigs as waffle would have calmed down by then and it went terribly. Immediately just fighting, even worse than before so we knew they couldn’t live together. Even 5 months on they still intimidate each other and would never work living as a 3 again so Waffle has been living alone.

He doesn’t seen too bad but I’m sure he must be a bit lonley. I’d love to get him a mate but I’m not sure where to start. I’m thinking a girl guinea pig might work better with him and there would be no babies. Then I’m unsure if he would possibly start fighting with a girl guinea pig. Also where can you find just one guinea pig to adopt in the UK? Any advice on what to do and how to introduce him to a New Guinea pig so that they would get on would be great
 
Pets at home really shouldn't have let you take 3 boars home. It very rarely works out.

They need to be separated asap if you haven't already. Before serious harm is done.

One of the experienced guinea pig owners will drop in soon to give you all the info you need, but I lay the blame at Pets at Homes door for this one!
 
Sadly trios rarely work out when it comes to boars!
Despite the advice to neuter your dominant boy neutering does not alter piggy behaviour like it does with bunnies - but, it puts you in a great position to find Waffle a wife!
Neutered boar-sow pairings are usually very stable. I wouldn't put Waffle back with your other boars - once blood is drawn, there's no going back!
 
:wel: To the forum.
I’m sorry you’ve had a rough time. Three boars together rarely work out I’m afraid and neutering piggies does not change behaviour.
Your best option now is to go to a recommended rescue and ask them to help you bond your single neutered boy with a female.
Check out the rescue locator or let us know your location so we can recommend a rescue.
 
It is not going to work, I'm afraid. When you take waffle away do the others still fight. The easiest solution for waffle as he's had the snip, if it's been 6 weeks since the op pop a lady friend in with him. Then do the rest with the other lads. Whatever you do if you get the boys settled with a lady each. What ever you do never put the families together. They will be very possessive & fight worse. You have to work out if you have room for each of the families. If not you can take them to a rescue if they have the room.
 
Chantelle14 said:
Hello everyone😁

In January 2018 I adopted 3 male guinea pigs from pets at home, I was told they did get on and that Waffle was the most dominant guinea pig and in the first few days some fights may go on as they settle into their new home. So I brought them home (they have a very large cage) there was some fighting to be expected but it was very bad, it continued for 2 weeks and pets at home were just no help and the fights got worse and worse. The other guinea pigs had many cuts on them which had been bleeding and they were starting to fight back with Waffle leaving him with cuts. I knew it would be a fight to the death soon and the only advice I was given was to give Waffle the snip. So Waffle has that done at the vets and was separated from his brothers after the operation to allow time to heal. We followed all advice and after 7 days were told to reunite all the Guinean pigs as waffle would have calmed down by then and it went terribly. Immediately just fighting, even worse than before so we knew they couldn’t live together. Even 5 months on they still intimidate each other and would never work living as a 3 again so Waffle has been living alone.

He doesn’t seen too bad but I’m sure he must be a bit lonley. I’d love to get him a mate but I’m not sure where to start. I’m thinking a girl guinea pig might work better with him and there would be no babies. Then I’m unsure if he would possibly start fighting with a girl guinea pig. Also where can you find just one guinea pig to adopt in the UK? Any advice on what to do and how to introduce him to a New Guinea pig so that they would get on would be great
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Hi and welcome!

Sub-adult boar trios have a 90% fail rate and neutering guinea pigs only removes the ability to make babies but it doesn't change personality or social behaviour. I am very sorry that you have become yet another victim of pet shops not caring in the least to learn basic facts about the animals they sell. Or vets knowing that neutering fallen out boars doesn't work with guinea pigs! :hb:

Please make sure that Waffle is 6 weeks post-op before meeting a sow and make sure whether your other two boys are getting on or not. You will find all the information in the links below.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths And Facts

The best place to date your boy under expert supervision so he can find a personality compatible sow or boarfriend of his own choice is one of our recommended rescues. Ideally you contact any that you can get to as it all depends on what piggies they have available for dating (usually more than there are on the website). This means that you come home with a mate only if acceptance has happened and have the rescue to fall back on. You can also rely on all guinea pigs being fully quarantined/healthy, guaranteed not pregnant and properly sexed. The rescues on our list are the ones we can guarantee for that you are in good and expert hands; sadly in this country anybody can call themselves a rescue or a breeder without licensing or any form of control, and the results can be accordingly.
It is well worth the extra effort and longer distance!
You can find our list on the top bar, but here is the link again: Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues

Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

PS: Several of my adopted neutered 'husboars' are fallen-out or 'unbondable' boars and they have a very happy and fulfilled life living the dream with one or more sows! Hywel the unbondable Bully Boy had a very happy 5 1/2 years with up to 13 sow-wives before passing away shortly before his 7th birthday.
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1275580505806138
 
Thank you so much everyone 😁 the other two guinea pigs of mine who are both boars have always gotten on amazingly they’re like best friends. They do everything together and have never had a fight except occasionally the one male does like to hump the other. So those two living together works out really well. It’s just a shame for waffle he’s been about 5 months post operation now and living by himself and I’m feeling bad for him. He gets plenty of attention but it can’t be nice not having a mate to talk to. I wouldn’t definitely love to get him a female guinea pig companion but I want to make sure it’s the right companion for him before I take home a New Guinea pig, I wouldn’t want it to fail :( will definitely look into the rescues
 
My old neutered boar Panda bonded really well with a pair of sows. He went piggy dating so he could have a choice, at Little Pip's Rescue. Definitely look into this as it could be the answer to all your troubles.
 
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