New Pig Time...?

[Tammy]

Hi everyone,

It's been a little while since i've been on here due to uni/work/running around after guinea pigs.

Last Sunday my lovely Vanilla passed away very suddenly, leaving poor Cinnamon all on his own

All in all Cinnamon seems to be doing pretty good on his own (he's coping much better than me and my partner - we're both still in bits over the whole thing). He has a cosy cuddly toy to snuggle with and he he seems to be eating and drinking normally. He's always been a slightly more timid piggy but he is letting us handle him and generally behaving like himself.

My only worry is that sometimes in the day time when we are working etc. he may get very lonely on his own. For that reason i feel that it may be very important to get him a new little to play and cuddle with when we're not around.

I was really just looking for some help/advice/any tips anyone can give about the best place to get a new piggy; whether a younger or older piggy would be advisable if we were to get another boar; and any help with bonding the piggies (i.e. if theres anything particular we should be doing to help them get to a state of mind where they can live together).

Cinnamon was the dominant pig in the pair - could this effect his likely hood of being able to bond with a new friend?

Any advice is very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Tammy

 

[Wiebke]

Hi Tammy

I am very sorry for your loss!

You are right that Cinnamon may want a new friend. How old is he? The safest way to go about it is by dating him at a good rescue with likely candidates, so you only come home with a new boarmate that has clicked. The key to a successful boar bond is character compatibility. It doesn't matter that is Cinnamon is dominant as long as he is dated with rather submissive boars.

The only good standard guinea pig rescue in Scotland that we can currently recommend is Hutches in Alyth, so it will be quite a day trip out for you all! On the other hand, Jo is experienced and you do not have to worry about quarantine and what to do if things don't work out etc. Several forum members have successfully found a new boarfriend for their bereaved boys there. http://www.hutches-boarding-rescue.org.uk/

You are very welcome to post a tribute to Vanilla in our Rainbow Bridge section.

 

[LisaAli]

Hi Tammy,

So sorry to hear of your loss

As @Wiebke says the only good standard guinea pig rescue in Scotland is Hutches, we have adopted 3 of of bunch from Jo. Including the 2 in our avatar, Morgan (left) and Ouzo our neutered boar. We know hutches is a fair distance from you in Glasgow, but it would certainly be worth the trip. Also it is a good idea to give Joanne a call or send her an email, to discuss your thoughts regarding Cinnamon.

Lisa & Ali..