Does My 'widowed' Separated Guinea Pig Need A Friend?

[Peter Evans]

Hi,

I'm Peter! Been looking on these forums for a long time, and they have been so helpful. However, this is my first time posting, as I need some help!

Unfortunately my 2 year old guinea pig died yesterday from an infection. After £350 of vet bills in two days, my poor Guinea 'Dark Knight' became too poorly and had to be put to sleep.

He was split up from Nibbles (his brother of the same age) a year ago due to excessive fighting. Dark Knight was kept in an enclosure above Nibbles.

My question is, does Nibbles need a friend? I imagine that they still 'spoke' to each other due to being in such close proximity, even though they could never see each other due to the fighting (they went crazy when they saw each other!). Nibbles does not yet seem to be bothered by his brothers passing, and is currently going about his business as usual - running around, squeaking, coming for cuddles etc.

If Nibbles should have a friend, does it need to be a boy of the same age? Could they ever be friends?

There is a single girl piggy in my local rescue who is lovely! I imagine she would drive Nibbles crazy, however.

Many thanks for your answers! I'll be sure to reciprocate the posts of others by replying with my (limited) knowledge in future.

 

[theoretikos]

Hi and welcome Peter
If Nibbles is neutered you could try and bond him with the girl at the rescue. A good rescue will help you with this.
A good rescue will also help you with 'boar dating' where they will try to find the perfect boar for your Nibbles personality!

 

[Goth Mummy]

Hello and welcome! I think Nibbles would be happier with a friend. Would you consider dating him with a rescue piggie so he can choose a friend?

 

[Peter Evans]

I would consider going to a rescue, yes! There do not seem to be any close to me on the locator - but I will do my best to travel ASAP. (I have just graduated, so it's a good excuse to buy a car!)

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! I am very sorry for your loss!

Nibbles will certainly miss the company and constant stimulation. It is great that you are caring so much about him.

I am sure that Nibbles would love a good friend of his own. As he is now a mature, hormonally settled adult, he is somewhat easier to bond. The crucial bit about any boar bond is less age and certainly not being litter mates, but character compatibility. If you want to adopt another boar from a rescue that hasn't got the knowledge to date him with rescue boars under expert supervision, then you will have to face the chance that they may not get on and would have to live separately as the risk of a failed bonding is correspondingly higher.
You may find this thread from a rescue lady interesting; it will also give you an idea of what you are realistically facing: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boar-dating-service-wales.59233/
(PS: Only a very few rescues have the time resources to offer residential or full boar dating; most rescues that offer bonding at the rescue will offer speed dating with a younger boar, which is not quite as safe and comes with a somewhat increased risk of fall-outs during the stroppy teenage months, but the age difference is a major stablising factor.)

I doubt that you have the extra money at the moment to consider neutering with (again, very crucial) a good vet in order to minimise the risk of costly and sometimes lethal post op complications, so Nibbles could live with a sow or two after a full 6 weeks post op wait.

PS: With members from all over the world, we find it extremely helpful if you added your county/city to your details, so we can always give you appropriate advice and recommendations straight away. You can do so by clicking on your name on the top bar, then go to personal details/location. Thanks!

You are also most welcome to post a tribute to Black Knight in our Rainbow Bridge section of you wish to.