Unhappy Piggie

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Clickety

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This week one of my two male guinea pigs passed away.
I've noticed that the remaining piggie is very unhappy. It's upsetting to see how sad he is. I would like to know about getting a new friend for him and what people would recommend.
 
I would suggest looking into a Rescue centre, then the centre will let the pigs meet each other, so you're not bringing home a piggie that will fight.
 
Thanks. Would it be best to get another adult?
What would happen if he was left as a lone guinea pig? I'm nervous about 'starting again'. The piggie that died was not very friendly my children are still devastated. The remaining one is lovely and usually friendly but sad now. It's very quiet. Would it be cruel to leave it without a friend.
It's 3 1/2
 
Am sorry for your loss. It does sound like your remaining pig needs a friend. We have a thread on dealing with bereaved pigs but am on my phone so can't link to it at the moment.

Your best option would be to go to a rescue so they can choose their own friend. Please could you add your location to your profile so we can see if there are any good rescues nearby. There is a rescue locator on the forum but it is down at the moment.

However, if your deceased piggy had a contagious illness you would need to wait a while to make sure your remaining pig is healthy.
 
Thanks. I'm not in the uk.
I'm not typically a guinea pig 'fancier', is that the term? Sorry if it's not. The guinea pigs are family pets, and we do love them.
I know of a person who has many guinea pigs that just keep breeding in his backyard so I may ask if I can try introducing one of his.
 
Hi! I am sorry for your loss!

Which country are you from; could you please add it to your details? It would make it so much easier to give you appropriate recommendations and links straight away, especially in an emergency. There are guinea pig rescues and shelters in the US and Australia, as well as a few in Canada. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details/location. Depending on the country, we may be able to help you.

Please be aware that if you get a piggy from any place that does not have a mandatory quarantine, you will have to conduct one yourself. Piggies do not just get on together; if you can let your boar choose who he likes, you are in with a much higher chance of not ending up with a fall-out in the long term.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/importance-of-quarantine.108034/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-introducing-and-reintroducing-guinea-pigs.38562/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boar-dating-service-wales.59233/

Here are tips on how to care for a grieving piggy: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/looking-after-a-bereaved-piggy.110463/
 
Thanks. I'm not in the uk.
I'm not typically a guinea pig 'fancier', is that the term? Sorry if it's not. The guinea pigs are family pets, and we do love them.
I know of a person who has many guinea pigs that just keep breeding in his backyard so I may ask if I can try introducing one of his.
Is there any animal welfare places you can report this too?
 
Ok thanks so much. I'm in Australia.
I read the links and I'm following the advice. He hade some happy sounds while I patted him last night. He's been inside since his friend died and the family is giving him a lot of love.
I'm hesitant to post a lot as in Australia we see guinea pigs as an outside pet, I stated this on another forum and was basically torn to shreds. My Guinea pigs live indoors during and high or low temps and at night.
 
Is there any animal welfare places you can report this too?
I don't believe that any authority would act. They are well fed and looked after. He just doesn't seperate them quickly enough. It's actually an apartment building and they live under a bush next to the footpath. I'd say there are 20
 
Ok thanks so much. I'm in Australia.
I read the links and I'm following the advice. He hade some happy sounds while I patted him last night. He's been inside since his friend died and the family is giving him a lot of love.
I'm hesitant to post a lot as in Australia we see guinea pigs as an outside pet, I stated this on another forum and was basically torn to shreds. My Guinea pigs live indoors during and high or low temps and at night.

Please don't be shy here. You will find most members very helpful and supportive. Many of us have been in this situation before and can understand your concerns. We have a good number of Australian members on the Forum and hopefully one of them may be able to advise you better about rescues. I can also ask some other rescue contacts for information for you.

Your little lad will benefit a great deal from a new friend. If he is over 18months old I would suggest possibly introducing a baby male The way piggies bond very much depend on personality so it's better to let him pick his own friend if possible which is why we suggest a good rescue. Random introductions are a lot harder to manage, it's a bit like picking someone off a website without seeing their picture or any information then expecting to marry them and live together in perfect happiness forever. We wouldn't do that and we shouldn't expect our piggies to. Wiebke has already posted you the links for some good information about introducing any potential new friend so have a good read before you go looking to pick one.

Piggies here in the UK are very much pets and for many people they are outside pets although also many of us keep them inside so we can spend more time with them and also because in the winter here it can get too cold for the to live outside comfortably. It can be difficult in online forums where cultural differences and differences in animal welfare can cause friction. I hope you are made very welcome here. :)
 
Ok thanks so much. I'm in Australia.
I read the links and I'm following the advice. He hade some happy sounds while I patted him last night. He's been inside since his friend died and the family is giving him a lot of love.
I'm hesitant to post a lot as in Australia we see guinea pigs as an outside pet, I stated this on another forum and was basically torn to shreds. My Guinea pigs live indoors during and high or low temps and at night.

I am very sorry for those piggies, especially the poor back-to-back pregnant sows! :(

Having members from all over the world, you have to take the different climates as well as different attitudes to piggy keeping into account... We try to be helpful first and not dogmatic!

PS: It would be very helpful for us if you added your country or even your state to your details; it makes it much easier for us to match any advice to your local situation and resources. Just click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details/location. In that section you can also upload your avatar, the picture that appears with your name and in your profile. Most of us use piggies in their avatar, as you may have noticed.
 
There are quite a few members that house piggies outside and you won't get grief for it here.You obviously care deeply about piggies.Good luck with what you decide to do.If you get one from the guy that just lets them breed you could end up with a piggy with health problems and a shorter life due to inbreeding .Good luck
 
Ok, firstly thanks to everyone.
I've updated my avatar. This is our guinea pig, Clickety he's 3.
I've got lots more questions, I'll need to post new threads for them I think!
In regard to this situation. In all honesty I never wanted a guinea pig at all. Due to allergies it was the only pet we could have! They are a lot of work! Friends and family are mostly keen for me to not get another piggie as it will continue my guinea pig ownership for many more years, if that makes sense. They know how super busy I am and exhausted!
The vet even suggested I don't get another as Clickety will only live another 6 months anyway. The vet also suggested putting Clickety to sleep.
But, my heart tells me I can't leave Clickety without a friend. My heart tells me that I need to show my own children that we need to be caring and do the right thing by our pets and that an animals mental health is as important as physical.
So this decision is a hard one! My head tells me I'm crazy to get another guinea pig, but I think it's the right decision.

Re the guy with the wild guinea pigs, thanks to the person who suggested they may be interbred, sure that would be the case.

I'll try to find a shelter, I live in inner city and most seem to be in rural areas. Guinea pigs are not popular where I live (but I had them as a child in the country)


One last question : can anyone identify the breed, I can't remember what it is, my son was allergic to our other pig but not this breed. His fur is rough and curly, but not waves, he's ginger.
 
Have a look in the breeds section and you may get your answer there are a few wirey or curly piggies about so can be hard to tell from decription. Try posting a picture in breeds section and someone may be able to identify for you.

Everybody on here is nice we would not think bad of you for having outdoor pigs some people In uk do too. As long as people do their best for their pets and treat them well its noone elses business really.

Do you know guineas on average live 5-7 years? Just thought id mention that as you said vet thinks he'll only last 6 more months.

One thing you have to know about this forum though..... We all love piggie photos lol
 
Thanks so much. Like I said I wasn't that keen on the guinea pigs to start with. But the thought of a sad animal is awful.
I live in an urban area and the vet doesn't treat many guinea pigs. She's lovely but I think felt like they were not the most important animal and any sickness is treated by putting to sleep .
I had guinea pigs as a child in rural australia that lived 7 years, it's more of a common pet.
I asked questions on another forum 3 years ago, for help with cages etc, I think a us site? They all seemed to think I was terrible having the guinea pigs outside in fine weather, they thought snakes and spiders would attack them, which isn't true in urban australia, otherwise no one could have cats or dogs!
 
image.webp Here is a pic if anyone can help with breed.
I think he's a Rex. I got him from a breeder. The guinea pig that passed hAd long fur that never stopped growing and was soft.
 
Oh and one more question! Would a ramp made of mdf board be safe for use?
 
Here's one Australian rescue that may be able to help..... I know Australia is massive and probably they are nowhere near you but they may be able to offer country specific advice and perhaps pass you some details of piggy help closer to home...
http://www.australiancavysanctuary.com/aboutus.htm

For questions about ramps etc try posting in our housing section. That way you will get better info than asking questions on lots of topics in the same thread.

Hope that helps!
 
Hi!
lots of people here have outdoor piggies in summer .....weather is a bit lousy here for them to be outdoors in winter but i am sure lots are kept like that with hutch covers and insulation..
....
I can completely understand that you want to do the right thing by your pet but not extend your guinea pig owning years. Is it possible to responsibly rehome him? Most of my pigs have lived for more like 7 years so he should have a few years left in him!
I think he is a Teddy guinea pig.

The wild guinea pigs situation does not sound good......i am suprised they survive to be honest....

Hope you find a good solution for you and your pig. X
 
Thanks. I'm blown away by the great responses I've got here. It's helped me really think about some hard choices I have to make.
I love our guinea pig so much which I never thought I would. He's a beautiful friendly animal. My kids adore him too. But he's so sad. That spark in his eyes is gone. I think I am left with the choice of finding him a friend or re homing. Our love for him isn't enough, he needs a special friend to share guinea pig stuff with!
Re the wild guinea pigs. They literally live under a bush. They are fed and have shelter, they're a neighbourhood attraction. I went by there to leave a note regarding the possibility of introducing my piggie to one of them, but they were all gone. It's extremely hot here at the moment, days have been over 40c so I think they've been moved inside, where I don't know!
 
I am glad that those piggies have gone and are hopefully somewhere safe!

Clickety looks like a rex or a teddy (teddies are a variant of the rex breed).
 
I am glad that those piggies have gone and are hopefully somewhere safe!

Clickety looks like a rex or a teddy (teddies are a variant of the rex breed).
I think the guinea pigs will be back. All though they are clearly breeding out of control I think the man loves them enough to take them inside in this weather. A guinea pig would die if left out here in the heat at the moment. Even with water shade it would be only hours until it died. Native animals that are designed for the climate are not coping, possums are straying into my garden looking for water.
I wanted to just thank you all. Perhaps I haven't been the best owner, reading this forum has prompted me to take more responsibility. I didn't know enough before I bought the piggies. I thought going to a proper breeder, providing food, warmth and shelter was enough but it isn't. I didn't know how social Guinea pigs were, I hope our ones, especially honey who passed had an ok life.
I have to do the right thing by Clickety now, honey has left a great legacy, he's taught me about being a responsible owner, about pets being a family member not just a play thing for children. I always saw them as a farm pet for eating veggie scraps.
Thanks everyone. I'll update on my decision re a new friend or finding a happy new home for Clickety.
 
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