Happier After The Loss Of A Cage Mate?

[Shelby._.]

Hello, I must say in the few days I’ve been on this forum I am sure getting good use out of it lol. As I’ve stated on here before a few days ago my guinea pig Fin sadly passed away leaving his cage mate Gus alone. I didn’t show Gus Fin’s body after he passed. The first day Gus was just a little skidish but other than that completely normal. Now I’ve noticed he almost seems happier!? Before Fin was the one that would popcorn and run laps in the cage after a spot clean or full clean. But today after I cleaned the cage Gus went crazy with excitement, running laps and popcornung and wheeking. Normaly he would give a popcorn or two and that was it. I’ve also noticed he was much happier to see me but I assumed this was because he was a bit lonely. Could Gus be happier as a lone piggy? He was never abusive to Fin but they more so tolerated each other with Gus the much more dominant one. Sorry this is so long but I want to provided all the details. I know ideally Guinea pigs should be in pairs and I will probably end up getting a young friend for him but I thought it would be interesting to see if anyone else has experienced this and what you opinions were on it.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello, I must say in the few days I’ve been on this forum I am sure getting good use out of it lol. As I’ve stated on here before a few days ago my guinea pig Fin sadly passed away leaving his cage mate Gus alone. I didn’t show Gus Fin’s body after he passed. The first day Gus was just a little skidish but other than that completely normal. Now I’ve noticed he almost seems happier!? Before Fin was the one that would popcorn and run laps in the cage after a spot clean or full clean. But today after I cleaned the cage Gus went crazy with excitement, running laps and popcornung and wheeking. Normaly he would give a popcorn or two and that was it. I’ve also noticed he was much happier to see me but I assumed this was because he was a bit lonely. Could Gus be happier as a lone piggy? He was never abusive to Fin but they more so tolerated each other with Gus the much more dominant one. Sorry this is so long but I want to provided all the details. I know ideally Guinea pigs should be in pairs and I will probably end up getting a young friend for him but I thought it would be interesting to see if anyone else has experienced this and what you opinions were on it.

Gus obviously enjoys getting your attention, but he still needs the stimulation from another piggy for the long term.

8 year old Calli has come here a year ago when she became gradually depressed/increasingly clingy over time even though she didn't seem to be affected by the loss of the last of her companions at first, like Gus.

As soon as she arrived here, she was no longer depressed even though she didn't bond with any of them straight away - but she was never bored and starved for attention, either! She is now living my 6 year old Tegan, another cranky widow, and they get along just fine.

 

[Shelby._.]

Thank you I never thought about Gus in the long term. Thanks for always being so quick to reply!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you I never thought about Gus in the long term. Thanks for always being so quick to reply!

As I have stated before, if you look for a more submissive baby that sees Gus as his daddy boar, Gus will hopefully be very happy. It is much more difficult to create a happy bond when you can't let the piggy choose who it wants to be friends with - you will find that they have often a completely different taste to you.
I have several times come back home from rescue dating with a very different piggy to the one we had tentatively reserved for a freshly bereaved one of mine!