Hi and welcome
I am very sorry for your loss!
If you struggle with feelings feeling of guilt or failure or feel overwhelmed, you may find our guinea pig owners grieving helpful for yourself. It is very practical but sensitive:
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
It is great that you want to find new company for your bereaved boy.
Most piggies will mourn for several days and will be rather withdrawn. As long as they are eating and drinking and are picking up again somewhat (if without their normal sparkle), then they can usually wait 1-4 weeks. This will usually allow you to get over the initial wave of grieving and giving you time to do organise a new friend. For a special piggy, it is even worth waiting a bit longer as long as your piggy can cope.
Any piggy that really struggles is either ill (the stress of a death can lower the immune system, especially in older guinea pigs so please see a vet if needed) or that cannot cope with being alone will need a friend as soon as possible, but that is thankfully a minority.
Please take the time to read these links here for helpful advice and practical tips:
-
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars (the guide contains a chapter on how to go about companionship for a boar)
- Before you put any guinea pigs together, please double-check the gender in both cavies. Mis-sexing is sadly very common:
Illustrated Sexing Guide
- Here is our very detailed step-by-step bonding guide with pictures and videos, which you may find very helpful:
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics