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Guinea pig introduction

2 replies

Izzy54312 · 30/12/2020 08:04

Hi all,
one of my two guinea pigs has just passed away unexpectedly. I still have one guinea pig and am wondering when I should introduce a new one? Should it be soon or should I wait a little bit for him to mourn?
Thank you in advance.

OP posts:
Hairydilemma · 30/12/2020 08:09

Oh I’m sorry - I’m not sure on the correct answer but wanted to say I’m sorry for your loss from a fellow guinea pig parent.

I think you should leave the guinea pig who’s died in the cage for a little while so the other one can realise their friend has gone/mourn.

I’m not sure on timescales for introducing a new one - there are a couple of good fb groups - guinea pigs uk is one - which always have good advice on things like this. Sorry again, piggies are the best Flowers

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 01/01/2021 10:04

Oh Sad
How old is your remaining piggie ?
I'm guessing uncastrasted adult boar ?

Were they are brother pair or different ages?
Is he indoors ?

First of all 100% leave the body a while so he can sniff about and know his cagemate is gone (we used to leave them overnight , and remove them before they niff)
Clean the cage of bedding but you don't need to do a complete scrub (unless he died of some infectious illness in which ase you'd need to take your remaining pig for a check up )

When GP2 died we phoned up rescues to find a piglet boar for GP1 . It took a few days , GP1 was alone for 6 days , we kept him in DD room.
You might find Rescues difficult at the moment but most will try and find you a match for a bereaved pig.
GP3 was 6 weeks old and boars are easier to find than sows .
When GP3 ( the piglet who grew and grew) was alone we got him sows and had him castrated . He was kept beside the sows but not allowed to bond for 6 weeks to go sterile .
Castration isn't without risk but the Rescue we got GP3 and GP6 from used to castrate the boars as standard , makes them easier to re home .

So it depends on the age and health of your boar if you want to castrate him. And if you get a piglet boar you need to manage a new relationship .An you're back in the same situation when you're back to one boar ( The Guinea-Pig Spiral Grin )

When you do find him a friend then you do the whole scrub/neutralise of the cages , neutral territory to introduce .
Lots of food to keep them occupied and make sure they cannot trap each other in a hidey box.

Our GP1 was so delighted with GP3 , he did miss GP2 . But he did need a few days on his own with DD spoiling him .

Good Luck

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