Now left with one Boar - How best to care for him and to make him feel comfortable?

[Alamerona]

Hi TGPF. Unfortunately our little Boar, Joey, had to be put down earlier this morning due to a sharp decrease in health, possibly linked to his history of URIs.

Now our other Boar, Bluebear, is on his own and back home, and we're trying to find out ways to help him with his grief and to help him feel more comfortable - We don't want to leave him on his own in the house or alone at night, so we're thinking of bringing him upstairs from the front room where his cage usually is to upstairs into our bedroom in a temporary cage at night. Is that a good idea? We've taken the advice from the bereavement thread, so just looking to help him more.

Also, we know of Cavy Corner in Doncaster and Milhaven, however we're hoping if anyone knows of a similar place or people/person in Leeds who can accommodate a playdate for Bluebear to find a new cagemate. Really need you guys' help with that as neither me or my partner drive, so Milhaven and Cavy Corner are pretty far for us.

 

[Swissgreys]

Firstly I am sorry you lost Joey - be kind to yourself while you grieve.

For me personally I wouldn't remove Bluebear from his cage at night.
Chances are he feels safe and comfortable there, and brining him upstairs to a different environment may just unsettle him.

He won't obtain and additional comfort from being in the same room as you, so I don't think it is worth stressing him with constant moving around.
If you are worried it is too quiet for him , then maybe a radio playing gently in the back ground?
There is a You Tube Channel that plays calming music for guiea pigs that is quite nice.

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

He will be much more comfortable in familiar settings.

And so sorry to hear of your loss . Hope you can get him a new buddy soon!

Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

Thinking of you all at this difficult time.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

I am very sorry for your loss.

Please leave Bluebear in his usual surroundings and keep to the normal routine. It is hard to stand by and give the bereaved companion the space to do their own grieving and to be more withdrawn. Unless they stop eating and drinking, that is exactly what you need to do right now for next few days. Guinea pigs don't grieve less deeply than humans but they will generally pick up life again a bit sooner as their survival instinct is stronger and more immediate.
Most piggies can cope perfectly OK with a certain wait of 1-4 weeks (in the case of neutering 6 weeks) or if necessary even a little longer while you organise rescue dating and an adoption. The number of piggies pining acutely and not being able to cope on their own at all is actually very small. In the vast number of cases you really have those crucial weeks to do your research and set things up properly without having to rush out right now and here.

You may find the information in our Bereaved Guinea Pigs and in our grieving guide helpful.
Death, Dying, Terminal Illness, Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children

Unfortunately, I am not aware of a place in Leeds that I could send people to with a good conscience.