Should I get him a playmate?

**vics2004** · #1 12-01-07, 02:03 am

I will run briefly over my piggie story for any of those who don't know me. I got my first pig in June 2006 at about 8 weeks old), and then in August I got him a friend (who was also about 8 weeks old when I got him). I didn't realise that this meant that they would be going through puberty at a similar time, and after 6 months together we had to separate them permantly. Last night my first pig passed away. The vets don't know what was wrong with him, his weight , eating etc had all been ok until yesterday when he suddenly dropped 50g and was all dehydrated, went very weak etc. I partly think it was due to depression of not having a cage friend, although we try and play with them lots to make up for it. So I am concerned about my remaining pig. He seems happy enough on his own, but I am worried that he may get depressed in the future.

He is 18 months old now, I know that there is always a possibility that two pigs may not get on in the future, but is he old enough to be the "older" male if I get a young boar now, or should I try and get an spayed female around his age(he isn't neutered)

**Tophica** · #2 12-01-07, 03:32 am

I have heard sows and boars get on quite well, personnally I don't have a boar and a sow but many on here do.

**vics2004** · #3 12-01-07, 03:41 am

Sorry, I have quite a few questions. Can an unneutered boar be put in with a spayed female? Is it easy to find a spayed female from a shelter?

**wheeky-UK** · #4 12-01-07, 04:12 am

Quite alot of rescues neuter/spay all their piggies before they can be adopted. It helps to reduce the already over-populated piggy population. But that doesnt mean all rescues do.

I cant see a reason why a spayed female should not be put with an un-neutered male. As long as there is no way there can be a pregnancy.

I myself have a neutered male and 3 un-spayed females. I like this combination because it means I can put many females together with the one boar. To neuter a boar is a relativly routine operation if you go to the right vet, however spaying is a more invasive procedure with more risks. This is why I have only neutered the male so I dont have to put any females though a risky operation.

In short if you did want males and females together, neutering only the male is the safest operation and allows you to add many un-spayed females together with him.

Hope this helps!

**vics2004** · #5 12-01-07, 04:49 am

Thankyou. We will probably wait until the new year, and then contact some rescues

**Treacle** · #6 12-01-07, 07:45 am

I think you should deffinitly get a playmate, I would neuter the male and get him a female, that way you make sure they wont fight.

**Mommy Of One** · #7 12-01-07, 07:52 am

I have a boar going on a year, and we recently got a young boar (About six months?) Anyway, I couldn't believe the difference in personality. My boars got along imediately, I havn't even seen dominance fighting.

**vics2004** · #8 12-01-07, 10:23 am

Thanks Mom-of-One. So, if we get another boar, is about 6 months the right age? I want him to be happy, but I don't want to neuter him (so I can put him with a female) if I don't have to as it seems a very invasive procedure for guinea pigs.

**clotho** · #9 12-01-07, 10:37 am

Your boar is old enough that you should be able to match him with a baby boy and it should work well I would think.

I actually have a spayed female - so yes you can put a spayed female with an unaltered male - but I would think it would be more difficult to find a female who was already spayed.

My spayed female lives with an older, unaltered boar. On Thursday, I put the little male I am fostering in with the two of them. Zack (the baby) is 3 weeks old and needed to be removed from the girls' cage so he didn't get anyone pregnant. So, I put him in with Cookie (spayed female) and Stripes (unaltered boar). That intro was the easiest one I've ever seen or heard of! Just a tiny bit of rumbling from Stripes and some butt sniffing, but they accepted him immediately.

Baby intros are usually quite easy. However, remember that if you do get a baby, you will still go through that little one's puberty issues when he gets a bit older. You may want to adopt a bit older one who is already past those issues (maybe 9 months to a year old) who has a relaxed personality.

I wouldn't put him through a neuter operation as it can be risky. Good luck finding the perfect friend for your boy!!

Thank you wheeky-UK for this useful post, says:
vics2004 (12-01-07)

Thank you Mommy Of One for this useful post, says:
vics2004 (12-01-07)

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