Should we get a new friend for our boy?

[sallyandruss]

Hi all, I am new to this forum and would really appreciate some advice.
We had 2 brothers, unneutered who we believe to be about 2 years old (adopted).
Sadly we lost saxon on Christmas night due to complications after anaesthetic.
So now phife is alone.
As yet he hasn't changed in his behaviour and is still going about his usual routine around his cage.
We know that piggies are very social and are worried about him being on his own at a young age. But at the same time, I don't know how easy he will take to another male in what is fairly limited space.
He has a good sized indoor cage with 2 levels, but we don't have space for any other cages or runs so we're worried about a new pig getting territorial.
Any advice would be greatly received.

Sally and russ

 

[Piggies&buns]

I am sorry for your loss.
It would benefit him greatly to have a friend. He is too young to consider spending the rest of his life alone.
The best way to get a new friend is to go to a rescue centre and ask for their help in finding a character compatible friend. Character compatibility and mutual liking is key to a successful bond. If you just go out and buy a new piggy then you have no idea whether your boy will accept the newcomer and then you do run the risk of fights and then needing two cages etc. If you ask a rescue centre if they offer boar dating they will ensure the bond will be more likely to be successful as you will only bring home a piggy once your boy has accepted him. If they don’t offer boar dating, then you can ask if you could return any piggy if the bonding (which you will have to do at home) is not successful and try another piggy.
The key to boars (after character compatibility) is a lot of space - ensure your cage is at least 150cm x 60cm.

Your alternative would be to have him neutered, then he would need to wait for six weeks after the op and then look to pair him with a sow

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Cage Size Guide

 

[Ritika]

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
So sorry to hear that you lost Saxon.
I can’t add to the advice @Piggies&buns has given.

A few years ago I was left with a young loan boar when his brother died.
Not having a rescue anywhere near us at the time I opted for neutering and getting him sows.
That worked for me.

You might like to browse the housing thread as well for information about cage sizes and I think there’s ideas on how to maximise available space.

We have a Rainbow Bridge thread where you can post a tribute to Saxon if you would like

 

[sallyandruss]

Thank you all so much, that is great advice. I'll contact some centres for boar dating first, I'm a bit worried about neutering just because saxon struggled with anaesthetic and I don't want to lose phife too. And I'll take a look at the housing thread too.
It was such a shock losing him so suddenly and so young. Our last boys were with us until they were 10.
Thanks again, I'll let you know how we get on.

 

[sallyandruss]

Hi all,
So we are struggling to find a rehoming centre near us or anyone with loan boars to rehome.
I'm weighing up our options, and someone elsewhere suggested a baby male would be a good idea so that it'll be submissive.
This is all new to me, any thoughts? Anyone with experience?
Would have preferred to rescue one but they are all bonded pairs and we don't have room for 3.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Hi all,
So we are struggling to find a rehoming centre near us or anyone with loan boars to rehome.
I'm weighing up our options, and someone elsewhere suggested a baby male would be a good idea so that it'll be submissive.
This is all new to me, any thoughts? Anyone with experience?
Would have preferred to rescue one but they are all bonded pairs and we don't have room for 3.

Three boars together doesn’t work in any event - it almost always results in fights (90% failure rate when attempting to keep three boars together), so you wouldn’t want to attempt to put two already bonded boars in with your piggy as it is highly likely to be a disaster.

The links I posted in my first reply above give details on what does and doesn’t work when it comes to boars. Give that another read. The guide states that acceptance of a baby has a higher chance of success. However, you do need to bear in mind that once that baby becomes a teenager, things can change - that said, it is important that your boy has another piggy to spend his life with so the risks of there being issues when baby becomes a teen would be less of a concern - there is a good chance that things will be absolutely fine between them! Having a plan b is always a good idea with boars though (and that’ll be that if a teenage takeover occurs and your older boar doesn’t like it and problems occur, then they will need to be separated and live alongside each other).
.