cheryl33 Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Hello I got Tarquin guinea pig a few weeks ago from a girl at work and he's a lovely little thing, although quite nervous as he hadn't been handled before. I am looking at getting a friend for him as I've always had guinea pigs in pairs and obviously thats what most people recommend. Now, what do I do? Tarquin is abour 6 months old and not neutered. I'm going to contact a coupe of rescues up here but just want some advice before I do! So do I go for a boy around the same age or one that is younger? How do I introduce them? What happens if they don't get on? thanks! x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 An un-neutered adult male is going to be harder to introduce another male to than if you went for nuetering him and getting him a female companion. It's not that it "can't" be done but it is going to be harder - it will help if neither male has ever been with a female. Intros should always been done on neutral territory giving both plenty of space to be able to get away from each other - some form of "fighting" & posturing is pretty standard but provided they don't draw blood or look really serious then it should eventually settle down. Same age or younger is best - a younger male is going to be less of a threat however there could still be some bickering as the younger one matures and tries to assert himself. They will need to be kept apart for the first few days meeting up only on nuetral ground - once they start playing trains and popcorning then they should be safe to put together in the cage/hutch which sould be cleaned first then some old bedding from BOTH of their previous cages put in with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheryl33 Posted February 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 aaah right, thank you. I guess getting him neutered is the first thing to do before making enquiries - is he safe at 6 months? aaah right, thank you. I guess getting him neutered is the first thing to do before making enquiries - is he safe at 6 months? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Do you have any rescues locally who might have a young male piggie looking for a companion? If you can find a rescue that does the introductions that's often a good thing too as they put them on neutral territory to start with. If you do decide to get Tarquin neutered, make sure that you find a vet with lots of piggie neutering experience. Again a local rescue might be able to recommend a good vet. Bet Tarquin will really appreciate a companion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheryl33 Posted February 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 thanks Karen, I'm going to ring round some vets in a bit :-) and yes there are two rescues that I know of, but there is a girl in North Shields so I'll contact her x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheryl33 Posted February 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 woohoo thanks for the info. Spoken to a rescue who have got a few, so I've just filled out an app form. I'm going to call the new pig Rupert I've won a 4ft double hutch on ebay as well for £23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheryl33 Posted February 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 (edited) Tarquin: Edited February 28, 2010 by cheryl33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslass Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 Oh, he's gorgeous. I love piggies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owl Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 What a cute piggie. Love the half and half markings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratscallions Posted April 26, 2010 Report Share Posted April 26, 2010 Can you let us know how intros go ... and how they were done please? I have two piggies who I had to seperate because they were fighting really badly (blood). I've read a bit on re-introducing them, but haven't succeeded yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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