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Anyone else?

fournakedpigs

fournakedpigs

Junior Guinea Pig
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I wasn't sure exactly where to put this topic, but I figured it's about guinea pig health more broadly.

I'm a relatively new guinea pig owner. We've had the first of our boys for almost two years now. We have four -- our very own motley crew of rescued skinny pigs. :) We stumbled upon guinea pigs on a total whim after I lost my soulmate dog and needed a companion and something to care for that wasn't a dog. Little did I know I was getting SO much more than that. Since then, our lives have completely changed to revolve around our boys. (As you can see by past posts of traveling out of state for better vet care, professional photoshoots, getting involved in local rescues etc. lol). My concern is that I'm now wracked with terrible anxiety about them constantly. I cannot believe I have four creatures who I love so completely that have such short lifespans. I literally am terrified of losing them.

Are there any tips or suggestions for keeping our pigs healthy as they approach middle age? (Or any tips for me to stop panicking constantly?) I know this is more of a rambling post, but I just needed to get it out there, as no one aside from my partner really *gets* the attachment.

Pic of my soulmate pig, Mortimer, on the very first day he stole my heart. :)
 

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Piggies&buns said:
Pets can be such a great comfort to us but equally a source of worry. We all completely understand

This guide may help you
Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters
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Thank you! And definitely. With my dog, it was a bit different, as I got him as a child, and he continued with me into adulthood and moving out, etc. It always felt like I had all of the time in the world with him, and he did live to 19! But with these guys, they're so delicate that every single day I'm aware it could go south so quickly. We will likely always be guinea pig parents at this point, but oh my god, the anxiety over them is just unreal.
 
Don't be afraid of losing them. I know that might sound daft, but guinea pigs don't think long term. Every day they get in a happy home is a day they get to enjoy themselves in a happy home, and that's the best gift you can give them and they can give you.
 
Its very tough to think about losing your piggies, especially skinny pigs which are so fragile. Bereavements are always hard- that's the price we pay for loving these funny little creatures and letting them steal your heart!
All you can do is your best, and when you've done your best for them, you will grieve when they pass away, but as others say, you are giving them all the happy todays you can. Losing a piggy is tough, but if you hope to keep piggies long term, I find that it helps to try keep a herd mentality as piggies do themselves- you have your herd, your own routines and customs that your piggies enjoy, and although piggies will inevitably leave for the rainbow bridge, and everyone will be sad, but then others can join, and your herd will teach the new piggies all the favourite things your old piggy loved- and you can keep their memory alive that way.
My first piggy loss from my herd happened last December and it was very hard, but then new foster piggies decided to stay, and they filled the gap a bit- herds evolve over time, new paws fill vacant piggy shoes, it never gets easier to lose a piggy but it can be very rewarding to see a new face enjoying the things your old piggy loved- that's what piggies would always want, being happy herd animals x
 
Lorcan said:
Don't be afraid of losing them. I know that might sound daft, but guinea pigs don't think long term. Every day they get in a happy home is a day they get to enjoy themselves in a happy home, and that's the best gift you can give them and they can give you.
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This is so great because we often think about how enriching their daily lives is so important for them. Like a silly toilet paper roll can make their day, and watching them get so much happiness is such a joy.
 
PigglePuggle said:
Its very tough to think about losing your piggies, especially skinny pigs which are so fragile. Bereavements are always hard- that's the price we pay for loving these funny little creatures and letting them steal your heart!
All you can do is your best, and when you've done your best for them, you will grieve when they pass away, but as others say, you are giving them all the happy todays you can. Losing a piggy is tough, but if you hope to keep piggies long term, I find that it helps to try keep a herd mentality as piggies do themselves- you have your herd, your own routines and customs that your piggies enjoy, and although piggies will inevitably leave for the rainbow bridge, and everyone will be sad, but then others can join, and your herd will teach the new piggies all the favourite things your old piggy loved- and you can keep their memory alive that way.
My first piggy loss from my herd happened last December and it was very hard, but then new foster piggies decided to stay, and they filled the gap a bit- herds evolve over time, new paws fill vacant piggy shoes, it never gets easier to lose a piggy but it can be very rewarding to see a new face enjoying the things your old piggy loved- that's what piggies would always want, being happy herd animals x
Click to expand...
This is a really good point and one I’ve thought about when seeing others with large herds. Unfortunately, I definitely don’t have a herd mentality about my guys, and part of that is because they’re all just neighbors to each other and not in an actual herd. Hoping our next pigs we get will actually be a bonded pair and will help this a bit.

(Sometimes I’m super jealous of sow owners because how wonderful to have so many together! However, I’m definitely going to continue to be a boar mom. Lol the boys don’t get enough love!)
 
They live for the moment and so should we, they are so precious but every being has it’s time and passing is something that is inevitable. I try not to worry x
 
fournakedpigs said:
Lol the boys don’t get enough love!
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They really don't. Big herds are nice, but boars are absolute idiots and I love them all the more for it. They get such a bad rap because people think they'll be worse pets, either they'll be nippy or aggressive or smelly, and they don't want to hear the sows can be worse :))
 
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