Pig Died, One Left Behind

[DanielleParkes]

i had two guinea pigs, not particularly old (around 2 years, just under) and 2 days ago found one of the boys dead. The day before he seemed perfectly happy and healthy, so I have no idea what happened. I now have one left, (his cage mate) who seems healthy and is eating and drinking fine since the death.
Is it recommended that I get him a new cage mate due to his young(ish) age and which age pig should I pair him with if so?

 

[DM030819]

@DanielleParkes Pigs do prefer company rather than being alone so finding him a new friend would be very beneficial.

Unfortunately there's no steadfast way to ensure they'll get along, it all depends on personality. If you can find a local rescue that offers boar dating they will help your piggy find his new friend.

 

[Wiebke]

i had two guinea pigs, not particularly old (around 2 years, just under) and 2 days ago found one of the boys dead. The day before he seemed perfectly happy and healthy, so I have no idea what happened. I now have one left, (his cage mate) who seems healthy and is eating and drinking fine since the death.
Is it recommended that I get him a new cage mate due to his young(ish) age and which age pig should I pair him with if so?

Hi! I am very sorry for your loss. Piggies can mask any signs of illness rather well until it is too late; they can also die from heart attacks and strokes out of the blue at any time of their life if they have a genetic disposition.

Please find your remaining boy new company; ideally from a good a rescue with a mandatory quarantine/vet care that offers 'boar dating', so your boy can choose his own future mate and you come home with a mate only of acceptance has happened. That kind of peace of mind if well worth a longer trip!
The key to any successful piggy bond is mutual liking and character compatibility over age. It takes about 1-3 candidates on average to find the new 'Mr Right' at a rescue.

More tips for what you can do now as well as good standard rescue links for several countries are in this guide here: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your loss.
I hope you find a good companion for your boy.
Don’t forget to allow yourself time to grieve too,

 

[Flutterby]

I'm so sorry for your loss xx

 

[RoloPip]

i had two guinea pigs, not particularly old (around 2 years, just under) and 2 days ago found one of the boys dead. The day before he seemed perfectly happy and healthy, so I have no idea what happened. I now have one left, (his cage mate) who seems healthy and is eating and drinking fine since the death.
Is it recommended that I get him a new cage mate due to his young(ish) age and which age pig should I pair him with if so?

Hi hun! so sorry for your loss

A few weeks ago one of my boars died too, he was only around 5 months, and the morning before he passed, he was eating and running around the cage as normal. This then left my other boar on his own, and they had been together since birth! I was in your current position and didnt know whether to get another boar, or just leave it so that Rolo lived alone. I took the plunge and bought a new baby boar and its best thing i ever did! Rolo loves him and took him under his wing. They adore eachother! I would say to do it, as long as its a baby

Hope everything goes well! x x

 

[She-bee]

i had two guinea pigs, not particularly old (around 2 years, just under) and 2 days ago found one of the boys dead. The day before he seemed perfectly happy and healthy, so I have no idea what happened. I now have one left, (his cage mate) who seems healthy and is eating and drinking fine since the death.
Is it recommended that I get him a new cage mate due to his young(ish) age and which age pig should I pair him with if so?

So sorry to hear this sad news. I would definitely try and get another one for company. X

 

[DanielleParkes]

Really appreciate all of your responses! I’ve chosen him a new friend, he’s currently undergoing treatment for ringworm as he’s a rescue around 11 weeks old. Going to pick him up in 2 weeks!

 

[Merab]

Congratulations.
Hope the ringworm clears quickly.
Looking forward to seeing pictures when he arrives

 

[rhymer]

Sorry for you loss. But congratulations on getting a new piggy friend. This absolutely the best thing. I had a 5 year old piggy Angel who lost his friend. He was so sad and down, we decided to take him piggy dating at a local rescue. Angel loved it and came home with two 8 week old friends (Peter and Gordon). This gave Angel a new lease for life and he adored Peter and Gordon. They lived happily together until Angel passed 12 months later in his sleep.
Hope all goes well. xx

 

[DanielleParkes]

Update for you all, here are Ron’s new baby brothers. They’ve settled in brilliantly and have bonded well with him, he’s so gentle with them and will let them bury themselves beneath him. Their names are Woody (Black) and Sulley (white) and they are Rosette cross piggies

 

[Betsy]

Awww!

 

[VickiA]

They look gorgeous. I’m just a little surprised that a rescue have let you adopt 2 juvenile boars to go with Ron. I hope that all works out well but please keep a close eye to check that as the youngsters hit puberty there aren’t any scuffles.

 

[Merab]

They are so cute.
Hope all continues to go well

 

[Betsy]

I’m just a little surprised that a rescue have let you adopt 2 juvenile boars to go with Ron

I wondered about that too Vicky!

 

[DanielleParkes]

They were happy so long as they were monitored closely and were introduced very gradually, which they were. These are the boys today out in the run

 

[DanielleParkes]

They look gorgeous. I’m just a little surprised that a rescue have let you adopt 2 juvenile boars to go with Ron. I hope that all works out well but please keep a close eye to check that as the youngsters hit puberty there aren’t any scuffles.

The one I was originally going to adopt was still sick from ringworm and they weren’t placing him for adoption for another few weeks and Ron was beginning to get lonely, sitting in his cage and being much less active than normal. They suggested two 13 week old boars they had brought in from an overrun breeder and said that because if had experience with bonding pigs before, they’d allow me to see how it went. Luckily, they are all very happy and Ron loves them. They are being very closely monitored, especially as they hit puberty

 

[Claire W]

I hope things continue to go well

I am however sorry for your loss