Questions from a Rookie Guinea Pig Lover

[april_faith]

Hey everyone. I have only had my piggy for a little over a month. Right now I am living in a dorm room (so im not even technically allowed to have him) and as such I only have room for a small cage. I am moving into a house in May and I already have the materials to build my C&C cage when I move in. My guinea's name is Poops and when I saw him in the pet shop I just had to have him. The guy who works there said he really needs a good home because he was returned a couple weeks earlier because he couldn't get along with the other pig. Then when he came back he was unable to get along with the pet store pigs. I know they are social critters, but do you think he could ever get along with other pigs? I thought that maybe if I introduced a baby he might want to help it instead of pick on it. Of course, he doesn't seem unhappy at all because I give him a TON of attention; however, I still would like him to have a buddy. Any thoughts/ideas?

 

[LiciaMommycott]

I know it's a lot of money but your best bet might be to get him neutered and get him a girl friend. You might have better chances of a successful pairing.

Also, you don't say how old he is but you might try paring him with a young boar when he's closer to a year or older. I've heard that makes a difference.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

I wouldn't get him a buddy until you can build a C&C cage because there is no way that a small pet store cage is going to be big enough for 2. I too think a young baby boar or a spayed female would be suitable. Or get him neutered and get him a sow as a buddy. The thing with pigs getting along is that if you have two aggressive pigs, they are both going to want to be dominant and therefore will be more likely to fight. If you have one aggressive pig and one submissive pig then they will most likely get along.

I also wanted to say don't buy another pig at a pet shop. Please adopt instead. There are many wonderful pigs sitting in shelters/rescues that need homes.

 

[Poohbear]

He may of not gotten along with other piggies becuase he was not introduced right and he was just plooped into a cage with another piggie.

 

[april_faith]

Thanks guys. Yeah, I found this site after getting him, and I will definitely not buy from a pet store again (I will have to find a shelter; unfortunately I live in a small town). I still don't regret getting him though, he's the most friendly guy ever and I really think I was meant to get him (wow I have guinea pig fever).

I'm not sure how old he is, I'm sure about 6 months to a year though, since he is adult size.

I figured the same with the fighting ... most pet stores probably don't care much about that. I wasn't planning on getting him a friend until after my C&C was made, don't worry.

Only a couple months, I'm so excited for him!

 

[Poohbear]

Good luck. If I may suggest looking at (broken link removed) www.guinealynx.com and (broken link removed) when you start looking for a new piggie. At www.guinealynx.com just go to cavy placement and you can start looking through the threads and titles of guinea pigs near you.

 

[dagwellismypigy]

It's www.petfinder.com , you were close Poohbear

 

[Poohbear]

oops, thanks for the correction. I knew it did not sound right or look right.

 

[april_faith]

I will definitely check out those sites (bookmarked already!) when I decide to give my guy a roomie. Thanks again.

 

[Plummie]

Also in my experience it is easier to introduce them in a neutral space, which if you time it correctly, could be the new C&C cage you are planning. The cage would be new to both pigs (if you are able to adopt before then) and would make the introduction process easier because Poops won't be defending it as "his home."

If he's already established and living alone in the cage for months, he might not take to a new roomie right away. As with any introduction, you need to be prepared to house the two pigs separately in case he is one of those pigs that prefers to live alone.

 

[april_faith]

How often can you find a spayed female at a shelter? And, how much would it be to get Moo (his nickname is 'Poops') neutered?

I didn't get the details of what sex he was paired with during the fighting, but I am assuming male. I am also assuming it was simply a very inexperienced owner & pet shop who had tried to pair him.

Also, one more question ... how often do any of you come across a piggie who prefers to live alone?

 

[Plummie]

Your chances of finding a spayed female at a shelter are pretty slim. Most females are never spayed because it is expensive and somewhat risky. I would venture to say that if a person spent $200+ to spay a sow, they wouldn't turn around and dump it at a shelter. You may have more luck through a guinea pig rescue, but still, chances aren't great.

My Lulu girl came from the shelter as an owner give-up. The reasoning for why her family dumped her is because they said she "doesn't get along with other guinea pigs." Well, needless to say, she lives with two other girls here and they all get along GREAT. I personally think people try to shove too many pigs into small cages, they approach the introduction process all wrong, and then they think it's just the pig being antisocial.

Most pigs do not prefer to live alone, Lulu being a perfect example. But there is always the pig who is an exception to the rule. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

 

[Slap Maxwell]

How have you gotten your piggy in your dorm? Was there an exception for you? I'm trying to figure out this whole college/piggy siduation before I go.

 

[april_faith]

Yes, I have Moo here in the dorm & he's in a commercial sized cage. I am not technically allowed to have anything but fish, but my RA would be lenient either way. I'm leaving and moving into a house at the beginning of May (which is when I am building my C&C Cage).

Don't worry ... I take care of him & give him plenty of floor and lap time even though it's not a large room.

 

[dagwellismypigy]

There are alot of spayed females in shelters near me. SOme shelters will let you sponser a spay for a little bit less money. At a shelter near me the will spay for 68 dollars.

 

[april_faith]

Alright, so do you guys think it would be better going for a younger boar or a spayed sow (or neutered Moo)?

 

[dagwellismypigy]

It doesn't matter, find a piggy you like. You liked Moo for a certain reason, and you will like another pig for the same reason, I personally think that simalarity will make them good friends. So wait until you see a pig on petfinder and the little voice says HIM! or HER! The only faulty part is you may want them all, but that is a different problem.

 

[Ketus15]

I have noticed on several Cavy adoption sites that they provide information on the social attitude of the piggy in question. Your best resource is those people currently working with the animal, describe to them what you've described here, and ask for a recommendation and to meet a possible cage mate on that basis. The foster parents and rescue workers will be glad to help with a successful placement, as opposed to a pet store that wants to make a sale.

I'm getting such an education here, thanks to all for taking time to post and teach!

 

[april_faith]

Yeah, I agree! Thanks guys, I have learned SO much on this site I don't know what I'd do without it

 

[Himino]

I was looking on petfinder for shelter's in your city for you, but I couldn't find any. Maybe if you look you could find one somewhere around your area though.