How to help a grieving guinea pig?

[Chloe21_xx]

Hi all, this is my first post on here and I’m trying to work my way through all the different threads but thought it would be best to just ask.

My piggy Ron passed away on Friday evening and his brother is now alone, they’ve never been apart. They’ve spent their whole lives together (born just one day apart) they were the bestest of friends

My question/enquiry is the best tips and advice on how to ensure he is settled and how to avoid him not sinking into any depression of being alone? I’m not replacing Ron and getting a New Guinea pig, I’ve gained the understanding by my neighbour who owns lots of piggies that they can live alone after their cage mate has passed and live a good life as a single guinea pig (I am fully aware that they are better in pairs or more but I don’t want to be in a cycle of having to bond and adopt a new piggy to help the guinea pig that is still here)

Thank you and I hope to hear from you all and gain some lovely tips and advice for Scabbers (my piggy child)

Lots of love Chloe and Scabbers X

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry for your loss.

How old is Scabbers?

It’s not easy dealing with the end of a piggy cycle and it is something that will eventually come to us all.

However piggies don’t do well leading a single life. They may appear to be ok but they will still feel the loneliness.
Generally they are ok in grieving for 1-4 weeks but after that they can start to struggle even if you never see the signs of it - they are very good at hiding things.

Unless you are already dealing with a very elderly pig (but even then they still shouldn’t really be alone), then you are always better to get them a new friend (they really can’t spend potentially years alone). It is possible to do it in a way which ends your piggy cycle though. That is by fostering a new friend from a rescue centre to keep with Scabbers until he passes away. When that happens you then return the foster pig to the rescue centre - Scabbers then hasn’t had to spend any time alone and you have ended your piggy cycle.

Things are still fresh and raw for you though and as long as Scabbers is eating, maintaining his weight at each check and otherwise ok, then you have some time to consider things.

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

 

[CTWC]

I am sorry for your loss but please take the advice above seeming fine is not the same as being fine and living their best life. Scabbers needs a friend at some point but take some time to process what has happened

 

[Chloe21_xx]

I’m sorry for your loss.

How old is Scabbers?

It’s not easy dealing with the end of a piggy cycle and it is something that will eventually come to us all.

However piggies don’t do well leading a single life. They may appear to be ok but they will still feel the loneliness.
Generally they are ok in grieving for 1-4 weeks but after that they can start to struggle even if you never see the signs of it - they are very good at hiding things.

Unless you are already dealing with a very elderly pig (but even then they still shouldn’t really be alone), then you are always better to get them a new friend (they really can’t spend potentially years alone). It is possible to do it in a way which ends your piggy cycle though. That is by fostering a new friend from a rescue centre to keep with Scabbers until he passes away. When that happens you then return the foster pig to the rescue centre - Scabbers then hasn’t had to spend any time alone and you have ended your piggy cycle.

Things are still fresh and raw for you though and as long as Scabbers is eating, maintaining his weight at each check and otherwise ok, then you have some time to consider things.

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

Hi, thank you so much for your reply!
He just turned 2 years old in march, they both did. I like the idea of fostering and giving a scabs a friend and the foster pig a chance to have a foster home. I didn’t know you could do that, I didn’t want to just go buy a New Guinea pig and replace Ron as I have had them since being born, (both of their mothers are my neighbour’s guinea pigs so I have been with them since the start of their lives)

 

[Piggies&buns]

Do get in touch with local rescues and get on their wait lists for bonding.
Remember as a boar he can only be bonded with one other boar.
(The alternative is to neuter him and then after his six week wait, he could then look to have a female friend).

But at his very young age, he absolutely must have a new friend - he has a whole lifetime to go and he cannot spend such a long time alone

 

[Freela]

As others have said, please look into getting him a new friend. Guinea pigs are social animals. They would never be alone naturally. They feel safe and happy with other guinea pigs. At only two, Scabbers potentially could spend most of his life alone and that's simply not fair for him. As much times as you give to him, you can't communicate with him the way another guinea pig can.

As others have said, you have other options... consider fostering a guinea pig that can be returned and rebonded, or another same-age companion with a similar expected lifespan.

I would also add that we never 'replace' guinea pigs... I've had many pairs over the years and have several times had to pair up a bereaved pig with a new friend before I felt ready myself because I knew it was best for my piggie. I ultimately always grow to love the newcomer, although they don't 'replace' the pig who is gone. Often seeing a bond form between my pig and a new companion does a lot to make me feel better too.