do they really need a friend?

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paul1979uk

paul1979uk

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Charlie has been alone for a few months now and not only seems to be coping but actually seems very happy. He's chirping loads lately, running about (mostly in middle of the night) and certainly isn't off his food. I'm worried that getting him a pal would push his nose out of joint, what do you think?
 
well guinea pigs obviously like company but if he seems fine at the moment and hes getting enough attention from you then I would say theres no rush
 
my mums piggy is on his own, and he often stays over at mine and shows no interest whatsoever in my two, never has done!
 
Pigs do generally enjoy the company of other pigs, so it would be good to maybe try a friend. I have a piggy (Sally in my Avatar) who is on her own at the moment, her cage mate Jeremy passed away a few months ago, and she lost so much weight and stopped eating at the same time. I brought her into the living room here with me so I could keep an eye on her, and she is now almost back up to her original weight and absolutely loving being here and spoilt. I may pair her up, but am just monitoring her at the moment. The only way I would keep a pig on his/her own, is like this where they are in with the family and get bags and bags of attention. I hate the thought of a little guinea pig being on their own in a shed or upstairs out of the way somewhere, leading a very lonely life, waiting and hoping that someone will come and play, which happens a lot sadly. xx
 
Cheers everyone.

Charlie is most definitely spoilt. My girlfriend gives him whatever he wants when he wants it. If he's chirping and/or biting his bars she gives him some food or brings him out. He spends a lot of time sat on her chest being smoothed. He gets treats every day. I think that's why he's had his ass in his hands this week, because i'm looking after him now whilst she's on holiday and i'm not giving him parsley until he eats something else first. But he lives in her room so is never alone, gets loads of food, loads of attention so he might be okay. I'm worried he may feel crowded if another pig is put in his cage with him but at the same time am worried that he might actually be lonely. The whole bar biting thing makes it seem like he wants more attention.
 
paul1979uk said:
Cheers everyone.

Charlie is most definitely spoilt. My girlfriend gives him whatever he wants when he wants it. If he's chirping and/or biting his bars she gives him some food or brings him out. He spends a lot of time sat on her chest being smoothed. He gets treats every day. I think that's why he's had his ass in his hands this week, because i'm looking after him now whilst she's on holiday and i'm not giving him parsley until he eats something else first. But he lives in her room so is never alone, gets loads of food, loads of attention so he might be okay. I'm worried he may feel crowded if another pig is put in his cage with him but at the same time am worried that he might actually be lonely. The whole bar biting thing makes it seem like he wants more attention.
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Ha ha, sounds like he may be getting better treatment than you! :(|) One of my boars is a bar biter, yet he has a pal in there with him. I think he does it at veggie time, so I will go to their cage first, just to shut him up 'cos he knows it does my head in. lol. xx
 
nutmeg said:
Ha ha, sounds like he may be getting better treatment than you! :(|) One of my boars is a bar biter, yet he has a pal in there with him. I think he does it at veggie time, so I will go to their cage first, just to shut him up 'cos he knows it does my head in. lol. xx
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He woke me up with his bar biting the other night, about 3am. I turned the light on and staggered over to his cage. He looked at me like I should know what he wanted, all wide eyed and pursed lipped, then chirped. I gave him an apple treat and went back to bed. He knows what he's doing.
 
We recently lost our pig pitch leaving her sister Putt on her own. Initially we were very worried about Putt and thought of pairing her up however she has thrived on her own. She now lives in the living room with us and gets loads of attention. Putt was always very dominated by pitch and seems to love being able to sit wherever, get to the water bottle whenever, and finally have first dibs on the veges!
What we have decided to do is get another already bonded pair and let them meet Putt at run time etc so she does get some guinea pig interaction. If this upsets the status quo then well have to rethink.

But to sum up Putt is really happy on her own.:(|)
 
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Hi, I have 2 males who both live on their own. I had to separate them at a young age (about 5 months) as they had a fight and I was told that once they had drawn blood they would kill each other if left together. They are both now nearly 3 and are very happy on their own. They have their own room in our house but separate cages. Hope that helps.
 
Thanks everyone. The gf and I have been feeling pretty guilty about leaving him alone for so long as we've read and heard so much that says they shouldn't be alone. But it's reassuring to know that so many do get along fine on their own and Charlie seems to enjoy himself.
 
paul1979uk said:
Thanks everyone. The gf and I have been feeling pretty guilty about leaving him alone for so long as we've read and heard so much that says they shouldn't be alone. But it's reassuring to know that so many do get along fine on their own and Charlie seems to enjoy himself.
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It's the personality of the pigs, they're all different.
Imagine how hard it would be had you aquired another piggy and they couldn't get along ? All well and good if you have room for two pens etc. but some people tend to think it will work then end up in a pickle mallethead
Good advice given from experienced owners on here overules anything else you read/see or hear about piggies living alone, in pairs or in groups.
You know your piggy better than anyone :)) Personally, he sounds a happy little fella :(|)
 
Hi There,

I remember when you posted about Benny, and I believe you were intouch Suzy about finding your pig the perfect friend. People may keep pigs on there own, but I know Suzy would be more than happy to do some piggy dating for you. As I know she offered to at the time. I think it should be his choice if he's on his own or not. Given you have the choice, I think it would be wise to adleast try.

Afterall how would you feel all alone all day, when you once had a friend?

I did have a single pig once, but she was single though choice and lived side by side another pig so still had company all day.

Suzy, has lots of single boys I'm sure she'd only be to happy to help. Good luck!
 
flintstones said:
Hi There,

I remember when you posted about Benny, and I believe you were intouch Suzy about finding your pig the perfect friend. People may keep pigs on there own, but I know Suzy would be more than happy to do some piggy dating for you. As I know she offered to at the time. I think it should be his choice if he's on his own or not. Given you have the choice, I think it would be wise to adleast try.

Afterall how would you feel all alone all day, when you once had a friend?

I did have a single pig once, but she was single though choice and lived side by side another pig so still had company all day.

Suzy, has lots of single boys I'm sure she'd only be to happy to help. Good luck!
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Yeah I believe my girlfriend has been in touch with Suzy. I was supposed to be taking Charlie up there but have had to cancel a couple of times due to illness and flippin snow and now girlfriend is on the other side of the world. I was thinking of taking him up myself, i'd have to give hte nice lady a call and see when she's free. I guess i'm just afraid his lordship will hate having other pigs around and will get funny. I worry too much.
 
my beautiful basil (RIP) used to live on his own HATED ither pigs but loved humans and now I have another boar Mocha wel he hates pigs and humans aha x
 
paul1979uk said:
He woke me up with his bar biting the other night, about 3am. I turned the light on and staggered over to his cage. He looked at me like I should know what he wanted, all wide eyed and pursed lipped, then chirped. I gave him an apple treat and went back to bed. He knows what he's doing.
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hahaha sounds about right!
 
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