Should I get another one?

[kashi]

My one year old boar, Piggy lives by himself and I'm considering getting him a guinea pig friend. He is my first guinea pig and I'm not sure what age/sex the second guinea pig should be. I was wondering if I should get a baby male guinea pig or if I should adopt an adult guinea pig. I really need help! Thanks!

[Percy's Mom]

I think you could go either way actually. Since your boar is already a year old, it is likely that he is through puberty, so a baby could match up well. An older pig would also be a good choice as he could help Piggy get over the last of his adolescence. You might also want to see if the rescue or shelter has an already spayed sow. One or more sows of any age would also be a good option as long as the sows are spayed or Piggy is neutered.

[kashi]

I'm just worried that Piggy might not get along with the other guinea pig since he has already gone through puberty. I've heard of boars fighting with other boars and I'm not sure if it is just a myth. Thanks for the advice, by the way!

[Percy's Mom]

If introduced properly, boars can live very happily together. I had my first pig, Percy from the time he was 10 months old until he was almost 1.5 years old before I had him living with any other cavies. At that point, I had him neutered and moved him in with two sows. When you find a friend for Piggy, make sure you quarantine the newcomer in a seperate room for 3 weeks, and then introduce everyone in completely neutral territory. I highly recommend neutral floor time with a very large pile of veggies and hay. By the time anyone notices the other, they will typically be so engrossed with eating that they won't bother to want to fight.

[kashi]

Thank you so much for the advice, I really appreciate it. One more question though, would it be better to neuter Piggy and have him living with another sow or would it be better if a baby boar moved in to live with Piggy?

[dra&pigs]

I don't think it matters much. Getting another boar would be cheaper (no surgery bills) but if you would really rather have a sow, then you could nueter your boy. Nuetering doesn't change their personality, like if you nueter a horse, but the surgery, like any surgery has some risk to it. If you do the surgery, find a cavy-savvy, experienced vet. I hope you make a decision! Keep me updated.

[kashi]

Thanks, I hope I do make a decision! I'm probably going to go with getting a baby boar since I don't really want to put up with surgery bills. I only have one problem though, I have to convince my parents to let me get another guinea pig for Piggy and that's not going to be easy