Question about fear aggression

Dwarfpotato

Dwarfpotato

Junior Guinea Pig
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I currently have two pigs, Tico and Cookie. They are both about 4.5 years old. Tico (sow) has been diagnosed with lymphoma but is still going strong for now, but I'm starting to consider where I'm going next.

I would ideally like to get Cookie a beautiful sexy pair of wives. The plan would be as he is getting on a bit that having two wives would mean I don't have to rush into getting another pig when he eventually dies.

However, I think he's a bit of a special pig. He's supremely confident in himself (he makes friends with every human he meets. He will accept ear scritches from strangers. I tell him he's an ambassador for pigkind). Tico was extremely fear aggressive and when I tried to get her a friend she caused multiple fights. Cookie's self assurance meant he just took one look and waddled off until she calmed down. I would love to help another fear aggressive lady find a home with him, but that leads me to a problem when he dies and I have to try and find her a new friend she will accept.

I've noticed that Cookie's confidence feeds Tico and she is now so much braver. If I got a fearful lady to bond with him, would his confidence mean I could add a third pig to the group without so many fear aggression problems?

I'm a single adult with no plans for other pets or children, so it's a nice quiet home for shyer pigs that might otherwise be overlooked.
 
It's great that you're willing to give a shy guinea pig a new home. Bonding adult piggies can be a bit of a hassle in any combination.

I think that your plan to get two girls for Cookie is a good one. Do you have a rescue in your vicinity or are you in contact with any rescues?
Bonding would probably be easier if you can get the new girls at the same time and not add one after the other.
If one of the girls could be a shy one, will depend on the available guinea pigs at the time when Cookie needs a new partner. The rest comes down to personal likes or dislikes between the guinea pigs.
 
I'm in Cambridgeshire so I have access to a couple of rescues on the list, plus Cookie actually came from one in Dunstable that isn't on the list but was recommended by two coworkers. Currently Tico's lumps are small and not growing quickly so she may well have several months left, but I'm aware that can change very quickly. I haven't contacted any rescues yet but that's probably a good idea in case they have something coming up in the near future. I'll bear it in mind then that it's much easier to bond him with two ladies at once. Thanks!
 
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