Lonely Sow 😔

[Rachel1234510]

Hi

Just after a bit of advice. We sadly lost one of our lovely girls last night, I'm a bit heartbroken. We're of course going to try and find another cage mate of a similar age for our remaining girl.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice. She is an indoor pig with a lovely big set up and has been with the girl we lost since they were babies, I believe they're sisters. I'm worried she may start to feel a bit lonely/depressed however I also worried about introducing a new pig very quickly. I have no experience whatsoever with a situation like this let alone re bonding so any advice would be really appreciated.

Many thanks in advance

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m so sorry for your loss.

Take some time to grieve, your piggy will also be grieving. She should be ok for a few weeks while you find a new friend for her but the guide below will offer further information on how to look after her in the coming weeks.
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

As the key to a successful bond is character compatibility, if you can contact a rescue centre to help you find a character compatible new friend for your sow then that would be the best thing. That way, you won’t be left in a situation where you get a new piggy but the two of them don’t get on and therefore cannot live together.
Also, some offer a bonding service, so they will actually do the bonding for you.

If they don’t offer a bonding service, then the guide below details how to introduce piggies to each other
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
While it does mean you would have to do the bonding yourself, should the bonding not be successful, if the new piggy has come from a rescue centre, then they will often take the piggy back and allow you to try another available piggy.

 

[Rachel1234510]

Thank you so much. I'll definitely have a read through those links! She was a lovely girl and we're very sad!

 

[Dwarfpotato]

So sorry to hear about your girl. Please look after yourself.

I'm not experienced with pigs but I can tell you about my experience. I lost one of my girls back in June. Since then I've been trying to bond Tico with a friend. I have heard that sows that have been with the same friend forever can be hard to bond? Tico has been quite difficult and didn't really get on with any girls she was introduced to. However she's been living alongside a boar and she seems much keener on him. Tico has spent quite a bit of time living alone in between attempted bondings and while she's clearly happier with a friend, she's been perfectly healthy on her own. What I mean to say is, don't feel you have to rush. Take time to recover, and allow your guinea to recover too. In time, you'll find a new friend. It may be a boar (neutered of course) is the best option. And I agree, speaking to a rescue if you can would be the best route

 

[Flutterby]

I'm so sorry for your loss xx

 

[Bill & Ted]

I’m so sorry you lost your beautiful girl, sending big hugs, it’s such a sad time when you lose a piggie x
Sleep tight little lady

 

[Rachel1234510]

Thank you so much for all your replies. It's nice to have support from some like minded people! A few people I know think I'm mental for being so upset, and spending so much money at the vets!

We're currently looking into lots of local rescues to try and find a pig to introduce to our Emily!

 

[Tigermoth]

Aw, she looks lovely. I hope she finds a new bestie.

I’ve got a lone sow now and it’s breaking my heart. There will be no more pigs here though so I’m feeling dreadful about it. Fingers crossed she makes dating easy xx