Guinea Pig experts! How to introduce guinea pigs!

[venusinfurs]

My parents have a 2 year old male cavy, but recently due to new family members who are allergic he got passed on to me. Ive wanted to add another friend to him for years because I know that guinea pigs shouldnt not live alone but my parents would not agree, now that he is mine I want to add him a friend. So I'm wondering how I should go about that?
Get another male i suppose? Around the same age? Younger? Older?
My guinea is very shy should I possibly try to get an outgoing companion for him?

HELP ME! THANK YOU
_EvG

 

[gogoguineas]

Hi and welcome!
Good for you for looking to get him a friend, you're absolutely right. How old is this chap? I would always go for younger, that way the heirachy is already established, the younger one is not a threat and there is a lower chance of fighting.Basically, who's boss has already been decided lol. The best thing to do if you can is take him boar dating, where you take your piggy to a rescue and he can choose his own friend, that way you can be surer that they get on and you can also turn to the rescue whenever you like for help and advice.
Whereabouts are you? Me or someone else may be able recommend a rescue for you to visit.
Suzy has a thread on boar dating somewhere, might be under the rescue and rehoming section, I can't check at the moment as I'm on my phone but that us very useful too

 

[PiggiePigs]

Hi, Just Seen Your Thread I Think Its A Good Idea Of Getting A Friend For Him As Guinea Pigs Can Live A Lonley Life And Be Very Stressed,I Know A Rescue Where You Can Take Him Dating Here Is The Link I'm Not Sure Where Your Situated But HopeFully This Will Give You The Idea http://www.thepotteriesguineapigrescue.co.uk/ourservices.html
Its Based In Kidsgrove, Stoke on Trent, (You Can Find More On The Home Icon On The Side) All though i have never been there before i might consider maybe going there and get my 2 girls a new friend ( That is when i make there cage a lot better i would suggest to get a younger guinea pig there is less chance of them fighting over dominance if you dont decide to go to boar dating you can get a guinea pig and divide the cage if youhave a C&C cage or put another cage next to them and let them get used to the smell being around them, i had another guinea pig for my 2 girls but unfortunatly when i got her from pets at home she had URI and i only had her for 10 days :'( R.I.P and you should always check them secretly if you are nervous.and ask them to check there breathing for you i went topets at home and there was 3 guinea pigs unwell so i didnt get one as it could of spread. anyway i hope this helped and sorry for me babbling on :')

 

[laurarobjohns]

Always go for a younger guinea pig if you can, only put two older ones together if you know they are very relaxed guineas They are much more likely to accept each other if one is a lot older

 

[Crystal]

I also am planning on looking for a friend for my 1 year old boar. From the things I've read on here getting a younger one gives you a better chance of them getting along. I live in the US and there aren't any rescues or boar dating services anywhere near my house so I just have to get a baby from a pet shop and hope for the best. It makes the decision that much harder but I know he'll be happier with a friend. Good luck!

 

[piggyfan]

Hi there. Boars can be very tricky to bond so it really is best he chooses his own friend. Guinea pig rescues offer this service and you would also be giving an unwanted piggy a loving home too.