Hey everyone, about a year or so ago I posted about my guinea pig, Totoro. Unfortunately Totoro had to be put to sleep today, she had a severe seizure, and there was nothing I or a vet could do to help her anymore. I had her put to sleep at the vets office and I was allowed to have my final moments with her. Totoro's sister Truffles, seems to be really upset by her passing. She hides a lot more than she used to and I am worried about her. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do for her? I have thought about getting her a new pal soon, but Truffles is very dominate, and I'm not sure if another guinea pig could get along with her. ((Sorry about any spelling mistakes I just took out my contacts.))
Grieving guinea pig
- Thread starter EilyStet
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Mother Hubbard
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Hey there,
Totally understand how you and your Truffles is feeling. Sorry for your loss.
Firstly can you give her a soft plush toy without labels and hard sticky out objects like eyes that can be chewed. Put it in her sleeping area. Would recommend a thorough clean to remove smells, have a lot of lap time with yourself to increase the bond by using food stroking techniques that she likes such as chin tickles.
No rush in getting a friend in the meantime find an animal shelter or similarly that offers bonding so that way truffles can try before you bring home the friend.
Best of luck x
Totally understand how you and your Truffles is feeling. Sorry for your loss.
Firstly can you give her a soft plush toy without labels and hard sticky out objects like eyes that can be chewed. Put it in her sleeping area. Would recommend a thorough clean to remove smells, have a lot of lap time with yourself to increase the bond by using food stroking techniques that she likes such as chin tickles.
No rush in getting a friend in the meantime find an animal shelter or similarly that offers bonding so that way truffles can try before you bring home the friend.
Best of luck x
Little Ones
Forum Donator 2023/24
Check out this thread: Looking after a bereaved pig
It’s a guide on how to help your piggy manage the loss of their friend.
Truffles most likely won’t be too dominant to bond, the guinea pig hierarchy allows for a dominant and then a submissive pig and is usually how most bonds are.
I remember after my pig passed away, our remaining (and very dominant) pig was just incredibly lonely, you could just see it in how he was behaving. I made the choice to set up guinea pig bonding, he went to find a new friend only three days after the passing of our pig. He needed it though, he wasn't in acute pining but his loneliness was obvious. I feel like submissive pigs usually do okay without their dominant counterpart, but dominant pigs feel quite lost without their submissive counterpart. No one to boss around must be quite lonely, I suppose.
Did you show Truffles Totoro’s body? This can be vital in a pig understanding why their friend is never coming back. The rescue centre which bonded my pigs told me that some pigs who never see the body of their friend can refuse to bond with another pig simply because their previous bond has essentially failed to end!
I’m so sorry for your loss, hope you’re doing okay - as well as you can be
It’s a guide on how to help your piggy manage the loss of their friend.
Truffles most likely won’t be too dominant to bond, the guinea pig hierarchy allows for a dominant and then a submissive pig and is usually how most bonds are.
I remember after my pig passed away, our remaining (and very dominant) pig was just incredibly lonely, you could just see it in how he was behaving. I made the choice to set up guinea pig bonding, he went to find a new friend only three days after the passing of our pig. He needed it though, he wasn't in acute pining but his loneliness was obvious. I feel like submissive pigs usually do okay without their dominant counterpart, but dominant pigs feel quite lost without their submissive counterpart. No one to boss around must be quite lonely, I suppose.
Did you show Truffles Totoro’s body? This can be vital in a pig understanding why their friend is never coming back. The rescue centre which bonded my pigs told me that some pigs who never see the body of their friend can refuse to bond with another pig simply because their previous bond has essentially failed to end!
I’m so sorry for your loss, hope you’re doing okay - as well as you can be
Hi!
I am so sorry about your loss!
A sudden death of a long time companion can really upset the surviving piggy. As long as Truffles is still eating and drinking, she is not pining acutely and you have time to set up a dating session at a good rescue that offers this service within the next few weeks. Unless she is giving up on life completely, allow her to grieve.
Please take the time to read the guide links below. They are very practical and helpful to answer your inevitable questions, help you make sense of your feelings and work out what is the best way forward for Truffles through this difficult time:
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities (also deals with bereaved piggies; the challenges/various options for companionship with tricky singles as well as behavioural changes and what lies behind them)
Thank you for the advice. I have been taking her out a lot more so that she doesn't feel as lonely. I will definitely try this out though.
Hey thanks for the information! Me and Truffles are pushing through it, but I'm glad I now know more about guinea pig bonds. I was fearful that she may not be able to find another pal, but this gives me some hope for her.
Thanks for the information and condolences, luckily Truffles is still doing ok. She is still eating and drinking, she hasn't given up. I did not show her the body, but she saw her seizing, and when she did she started to scream. I think she knows that Totoro is gone. I really appreciate the links, I will read them and decide what will be best for her. In the mean time I think she should try to meet other guinea pigs.
Bill & Ted
Forum Buddy
So sorry you have lost Totoro, sleep tight little lady x
Hoping you can find a new friend for little Truffle, it’s a difficult time time for you all, sending hugs x
Hoping you can find a new friend for little Truffle, it’s a difficult time time for you all, sending hugs x