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Adopting Should I adopt an older pig, or a younger one as a companion for my 4 y/o pig?

MookaGuineaPig

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Last night my first guinea pig, Mooka, passed away in her sleep. She was 3 years old and I miss her so much. My other pig, Midge, is almost 4 years old and seems lost without her sister. Today I have been looking online for a new companion for Midge, and I found a 6 week old female guinea pig on craigslist- but I'm not sure if it would be good to adopt a baby. I've looked at other animal shelters near where I live, but none of them have any guinea pigs (I live in Maine). Should I try to find a pig who is closer to Midge's age, or would it be best to adopt a young one?
Thank you!
 

Bella13

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So sorry to hear of your loss! A younger guinea pig will probably have more energy than an older one. It might be a good idea to get the younger one to bring out the older ones playful side. I'm not much of an expert but that is my opinion.
Hope this helps! :)
 

alphilip77

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Firstly I want to offer you my condolences on your loss of Mooka. She was an adorable piggy and very much loved. Take comfort in knowing she is in a better place and is waiting to see you again someday.

As far as finding a companion for Midge, it is entirely up to you how old her next companion should be. Personally, as long as they were healthy and relatively friendly, I would adopt an older guinea pig as they have a harder time finding homes. Although you may not have them as long as you would a younger guinea pig, you would be giving them a forever home. One benefit of older pigs is that they are usually more calm and easier to handle as they have been around humans longer.

There are several different ways you could go about filling the void left by Mooka. One method (and personally, I like this one the best) is to adopt a M/F or F/F pair and introduce them to Midge. In the event that Midge or one of the other pigs were to pass, there would be two pigs left to comfort one another. Trios are becoming more popular in the guinea pig community for this very reason.

Or, if you don't feel like owning anymore guinea pigs after Midge, you could always foster a single pig/pair for a rescue and keep them in the same vicinity as Midge so that she knows there are other pigs in the room and won't feel lonely, but you aren't committed, so to speak. You could always foster up until she passes and then either foster the pig(s) you have until they are homed or return them to the rescue.

In the meantime, you could take something that Mooka slept or left her scent on in leave it in Midge's cage to help with the grieving process. Whichever decision you make as far as new guinea pigs, I'm sure it will work out in yours and Midge's favor. Again, you have my sympathies. RIP Mooka
 

Princess_Piggie

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I'm very sorry you lost Mooka.

With females, age isn't as relative to behaviour as it is with males, so you could pretty much get her a friend of any age. With males it's recommended to pair a baby with a 1+year old to avoid puberty issues, and it can sometimes help as the older pig will usually take the dominant role. Females don't have as many issues generally when it comes to dominance.
 

Rywen

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I'm so sorry to hear that Mooka died.

If you adopt a baby Midge may mother her and teach her things.
 

Presuppose

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Hi. Sorry about your piggy but I found this on guineapigmanual website. Hope this helps.
The following guinea pig matches are ordered from easiest to potentially troublesome.
  1. Two baby guinea pigs
  2. Baby guinea pig and an older guinea pig of the same gender
  3. Neutered male and one or more females
  4. Two females. It is possible that they would not get along – depends on their personalities
  5. Two males could live in harmony, but that depends on a specific case – again, on the personality of the guinea pigs in question
 
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