Cagemate passed away

[Lvecen]

Hello - I am reaching out as one of our 2 guinea pigs was euthanized yesterday as she had many tumors and needed to be at rest. We have another piggie and the two have been together since they were born. Cookies, the remaining piggy, seems ok. She is eating, drinking, moving around, interested in me when I come in to see her. I am so sad for her because she is all alone now, but she does seem ok. This our first set of piggies, so this is an all new experience for me. I am not going to get another piggy though, just not going to work out to get more guinea pigs. I am concerned she is going to be lonely, but she seems ok so far. She is in my office where I work from home, so I am in the same space with her 5-6 hours on weekdays. I have kept her feeding schedule the same. I am trying to hold her more and have my daughter hold her more as well. If anyone has had the experience of their guinea pig being ok after the loss of a cagemate, I would welcome that. I am hoping she stays ok with the loss of her sister. her sister was the dominant one, so maybe Cookies is ok to have all the hay and her fav sleeping spots to herself?
Thanks - Liz

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
So sorry for your loss.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.

Guinea pigs are herd animals and not wired to live alone.
Human companionship isn’t enough as we don’t speak the same language so Cookie will be very lonely.
She really needs a piggy friend in the near future.

Is there a reason you’re not planning on getting more guinea pigs ?
How old is Cookie ?
Ideally you can find her a new companion or if that isn’t possible then is there a rescue anywhere close to/ accessible for you who could take her and rehome her.

I’ve had piggies who have lost their cage mates and whilst they continue to eat and drink it has been clear that piggy company was needed.
In 2 cases I was able to get new companions which gave the survivors a new lease of life.
In the last case Micah passed away just before we were going away for 5 weeks and moving house shortly afterwards so I made the difficult decision to rehome Ruth with the friend who was going to board them while we were away.

Please have a browse through the information threads in this section of the forum.
I would link the relevant threads for you if I wasn’t still technologically in the Stone Age.

You are grieving and you clearly love Cookie so go with your heart.

 

[Lvecen]

Cookies is about 4 1/2- 5 years old. I don't know her exact age as we adopted them from a rescue. We got the guinea pigs for my daughter and I have ended up being the sole caretaker for them. I have grown quite fond and attached to them, but I don't want more piggies. I completely get that she needs a buddy, I am an animal lover and strive to give all our pets the best. But, I don't want to take care of more guinea pigs as our lives are getting busier and they are quite a bit of work - if you do it correctly. I thought maybe I would see if there is someone the rescue knows of who would take her into their herd, but I don't know if that will be hard on her as she will be in a completely new environment. I sad that Cream (her sister) was so ill and needed to be put to sleep, that was absolutely the right choice. Also sad Cookies is by herself and sad that I can't make this better as more pets is not sustainable for our family. At any rate, I appreciate your reply.

 

[Casarca1]

Cookies is about 4 1/2- 5 years old. I don't know her exact age as we adopted them from a rescue. We got the guinea pigs for my daughter and I have ended up being the sole caretaker for them. I have grown quite fond and attached to them, but I don't want more piggies. I completely get that she needs a buddy, I am an animal lover and strive to give all our pets the best. But, I don't want to take care of more guinea pigs as our lives are getting busier and they are quite a bit of work - if you do it correctly. I thought maybe I would see if there is someone the rescue knows of who would take her into their herd, but I don't know if that will be hard on her as she will be in a completely new environment. I sad that Cream (her sister) was so ill and needed to be put to sleep, that was absolutely the right choice. Also sad Cookies is by herself and sad that I can't make this better as more pets is not sustainable for our family. At any rate, I appreciate your reply.

Hello Lvecen,

It is hard to loose a piggy. I can tell you care. If you don't want another pig I would try to find a place where she can be with other pigs. Ask if you can come to see her and hear about how she is doing. It would be a big act of love and she might become very happy in her new place. I wish you strenght in making your choice.