Questions about adding a new companion

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greenlion

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Some of you may remember I posted a few days ago with a question about handfeeding after dental work. Sadly my ill piggy continued to decline and passed away early this morning :(

I'm now trying to concentrate on doing what's best for my remaining pig, Seelix. While Seelix and Moony (the pig who's passed away) were adopted out together and as far as I know lived together for most of their lives, they never seemed to be very closely bonded. Seelix was always very dominant and aggressive towards Moony, despite Moony's general submissiveness. While they never fought to the point of drawing blood, Seelix would not infrequently chase Moony about the cage, chase her out of her igloo, etc. I always had to put them in separate carriers for car trips as Seelix would almost immediately began rumbling and chattering her teeth at Moony.

So my question is - should I consider getting another pig? I know that in nearly all cases it's recommended not to have a lone pig, but I'm not sure whether Seelix would take to a new pig and I simply don't have the space for two cages if things don't work out. I'm watching her closely for signs of depression; she ignored Moony throughout her illness and so far seems to be doing fine in terms of chowing down on veggies and hay as usual. I just worry about her having a lack of socialization, as despite my best efforts she has always been an extremely skittish pig and while she is willing to take vegetables from my hand she simply does not enjoy most human interaction. I have a 2x4 C&C cage and have seen how some people simply divide them down the middle in the case of pigs not getting along, but Seelix seems to enjoy zooming around the cage so I'd hate to cut her space so drastically.

Any advice would be really appreciated. I want to do what's best for Seelix and am really not sure what to think at this point.
 
Sorry for your loss, the same has just happened to me, my piggy passed away last night from dental issues.
My remaining piggy junior sounds just like your Seelix, quite a skittish pig,takes vegetables from my hand, he does enjoy human interaction but much prefers his own kind! I have two other bonded males, so am wondering if I should try him with them, the problem I have is Junior is only 8months old, so is going through his teenager stage now.

Sorry I haven't helped answer any of your questions, just I am in exactly the same boat as you. Hopefully someone will come along to give us some advice :)

xx
 
Sorry for your loss :( Seelix sounds like my George. George is a lone piggy and as long as he has his human contact and gets to sit with me in the evening, he is very content. I did get him 2 other piggies for company but he's not overly keen on either, so while the partners in crime, Elliot and Oscar play together, George always chooses not to join in and would rather come and play with me and chew on his hay lol. Some pigs, like humans, just prefer to be on their lonesome I think.
 
Sorry for your loss! You must be so gutted!

The best thing you can do is find a guinea pig rescue within your reach that allows you to bring your piggy for a round of piggy dating in order to find the best possible match that is based on mutual liking, not just tolerance. Before I could realise my dream of a bigger group, I have gone this way twice, both times with great success.

If you can tell us which area you are in, we might be able to give recommendations. You could also post in the rescue-wanted section. Some rescues active on here rehome further afield, provided a pick up can be arranged. It would be good if you also posted the age of your boy.
Here is a list of rescues. Not all rescues will allow you to bring your piggy, it is best to ring around!
http://www.guineapigrehome.org.uk/gp/centres.asp
 
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I'm actually in the US (southern California), thank you though! I hadn't thought of the possibility of doing meet-ups at rescues, I'll have to have a look around and see if any rescues around here are amenable to that.

Seelix is just about 2.5 years old.
 
Behavior

Usually Cats and Dogs have behavior problem but if this animal Pig shows behavior problem then apparently it is behavior problem but in fact it is due to any disease.Get him checked from a quality surgeon immediately if your pig is showing a behavior problem.
 
Isoc said:
Usually Cats and Dogs have behavior problem but if this animal Pig shows behavior problem then apparently it is behavior problem but in fact it is due to any disease.Get him checked from a quality surgeon immediately if your pig is showing a behavior problem.
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High Point Dog
 
I am also in the same position as you. My fiance and i got two little boys in February Rocket and Tubes but i lost my little boy Rocket on Monday and now his brother (we are not sure unfortunately due to our lack of knowledge got them from a pet store rather than a breeder but i do realise this was not the best way to go) Tubes is lonely. Tubes is just over 6months old and as everyone here says the 'teenage years' and i have been told that he will only get on with a very young male or an older male - or a female if he gets neutered. We are still not sure what to do so i feel your pain! Right now Tubes is getting over a sore ear (vet today so fingers crossed please) so we will need to wait till he gets back to normal (he is only eating hay and veg but very little water tho his eating is totally fine as are his poops) to decide anything.... but i hope that you figure it out either way and do what makes you and your lil piggie as happy as can be. xx
 
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