Should I Get Another Guinea Pig?

[Xxhdxx]

Hello everyone! I hope your day has been well. I had two guinea pigs Phoenix and Gemini(both boys), but unfortunately Phoenix passed away. Gemini is/was very territorial while pheonix (I got him as a baby and had him for a year) as he was growing up, became more territorial as well. They never faught or anything but since pheonix passed away Gemini has been popcorning and running around and seemingly happier( I guess it’s cause he has the whole cage to himself rn). Because he’s happier idk if I should get him another submissive Guinea pig or if I should leave him by himself (I really really really don’t want to/idk if that’s best). What are your thoughts? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

 

[Deleted member 126952]

even though your guinea pig is happy he will eventually get bored and depressed so please consider getting another one

 

[Xxhdxx]

Thanks so much! That’s exactly what I was thinking but I just wanted to see if I was making the right decision

 

[Shelby._.]

I had similar thoughts after one my guinea pigs passed away. The other also seemed much happier but after awhile was just bored and all he did was eat and sleep. I ended up getting him a friend who is being quarantined at the moment. Also if you get another guinea pig and can not bring your existing piggy with, make sure you have a plan B incase they don't bond. Such as splitting the cage in half so they can still interact.

 

[Reenie]

Hello everyone! I hope your day has been well. I had two guinea pigs Phoenix and Gemini(both boys), but unfortunately Phoenix passed away. Gemini is/was very territorial while pheonix (I got him as a baby and had him for a year) as he was growing up, became more territorial as well. They never faught or anything but since pheonix passed away Gemini has been popcorning and running around and seemingly happier( I guess it’s cause he has the whole cage to himself rn). Because he’s happier idk if I should get him another submissive Guinea pig or if I should leave him by himself (I really really really don’t want to/idk if that’s best). What are your thoughts? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

If you check under 'rescue locators' above, there may be a rescue near you. Some of them offer 'dating', which is when you leave your piggy with them, and they bond him with a new friend. It ensures you get a new piggy who your boy has chosen for himself, and there is less chance of them not getting on. Good luck!

 

[Betsy]

with what @Reenie has suggested let him pick his own friend.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello everyone! I hope your day has been well. I had two guinea pigs Phoenix and Gemini(both boys), but unfortunately Phoenix passed away. Gemini is/was very territorial while pheonix (I got him as a baby and had him for a year) as he was growing up, became more territorial as well. They never faught or anything but since pheonix passed away Gemini has been popcorning and running around and seemingly happier( I guess it’s cause he has the whole cage to himself rn). Because he’s happier idk if I should get him another submissive Guinea pig or if I should leave him by himself (I really really really don’t want to/idk if that’s best). What are your thoughts? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry for your loss.

Here are our tips for what you can do for a bereaved guinea pig. The best place to re-bond is a good rescue that offers this service if you can get to one; you can find links to recommended good standard rescues in several countries in the guide. This means that you maximise your chances of finding a character compatible piggy while minimising the risk of them not getting on. You are also guaranteed to only rehome a properly sexed and healthy/fully quarantined boar. Introduction happen at the rescue under expert supervision, so you know that acceptance has happened.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

An alternative with a very dominant boar can be neutering (provided you have access to an either very experienced general vet in guinea pig neutering (usually for a rescue) or an exotics vet with practice in small furries ops in order to minimise the risk of post-op complications. The price of neutering ops can vary massively from country to country, so it is not a valid option everywhere.
In any case, you have to factor in a full 6 weeks post-op wait until your boy is 100% to go with a sow or two. The little baby in my avatar is the unplanned daughter of a supposedly safe over 5 weeks post-op boar (not one of mine); just to prove that particular point! Our recommendation follows best UK rescue practice; there have no reports of any accidents in the years since its implementation.