Will Leah Be Ok On Her Own?

[Mairi M]

My sister's step kid's had two sows. One has recently passed on leaving her six year old sister Leah. My sister is actually allergic to piggies and the kids have already agreed on getting a reptile as their next pet. This leaves poor little Leah. As things stand she has shown absolutely no detectable reaction whatsoever to her sister's death (surprising as they were close). She is eating, drinking and squeaking and moving around completely as normal. There is no chance of them getting another piggy at this stage but I feel bad for Leah. Is she in fact ok given the apparent complete lack of grief reaction and continuing behaviour that is normal for her? What do others do when getting a piggy friend for company of a bereaved piggy isn't an option?

 

[VickiA]

Hello @Mairi M piggies are sociable creatures and do not thrive alone. If your sister is unable to commit to finding a companion for Leah it may be kinder to surrender her to a rescue where she can be paired with another piggie and live out her days in company. I hope this helps you.

 

[Mairi M]

Hello @Mairi M piggies are sociable creatures and do not thrive alone. If your sister is unable to commit to finding a companion for Leah it may be kinder to surrender her to a rescue where she can be paired with another piggie and live out her days in company. I hope this helps you.

Thanks, that was my feeling. I'm afraid my sister may become the evil step mother if that course of action is taken. I'll have some further discussion with her about it. It is a difficult one given my sister is not their real mother and that the children have already made the compromise to swap to reptiles. Giving up their little Leah could be a massive blow to family dynamics in an already tricky situation.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks, that was my feeling. I'm afraid my sister may become the evil step mother if that course of action is taken. I'll have some further discussion with her about it. It is a difficult one given my sister is not their real mother and that the children have already made the compromise to swap to reptiles. Giving up their little Leah could be a massive blow to family dynamics in an already tricky situation.

HUGS! I hope that you can find a good solution for little Leah and the family. It is always the most difficult when things like that happen in your family or close circle of friends.

 

[Mairi M]

HUGS! I hope that you can find a good solution for little Leah and the family. It is always the most difficult when things like that happen in your family or close circle of friends.

Thanks! I am so fond of that little piggy and wish I could take her myself and get her a friend. I have my two boys and am in a small flat so there's no room for more piggies, and certainly not girl piggies as that would torment my poor boys! Poor wee Leah - she is so sweet (and little!)

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks! I am so fond of that little piggy and wish I could take her myself and get her a friend. I have my two boys and am in a small flat so there's no room for more piggies, and certainly not girl piggies as that would torment my poor boys! Poor wee Leah - she is so sweet (and little!)

@lisaali

 

[Freela]

I think a lot of people are eventually going to come to a point where they do not want to acquire another guinea pig after losing one of a pair and are faced with this problem. I think, given the fact that she is not acutely pining and is elderly herself, I would probably encourage them to try to give her a lot of human TLC. I would think that at age 6, moving to a completely new environment if surrendered would be equally as stressful as being in a familiar environment with familiar people but no other guinea pig. It's a tough situation with social animals sometimes when things like this happen!

 

[Mairi M]

I think a lot of people are eventually going to come to a point where they do not want to acquire another guinea pig after losing one of a pair and are faced with this problem. I think, given the fact that she is not acutely pining and is elderly herself, I would probably encourage them to try to give her a lot of human TLC. I would think that at age 6, moving to a completely new environment if surrendered would be equally as stressful as being in a familiar environment with familiar people but no other guinea pig. It's a tough situation with social animals sometimes when things like this happen!

Thanks, that is a really useful point about it being potentially stressful for an elderly pig to do a move. She is six years old and I think due to turn seven this summer so it would be a shame to put her through a stressful move when she has been settled in her current home for 4 years and all is familiar to her there. She doesn't lack human company at all. My sister, though allergic and not able to handle her much, does speak to her regularly through the day as she works partially from home. The children are part-time with mum and part-time with dad (my sister's partner) and they give Leah attention when they are home with their dad and my sister. Her cage is next to the dining table so she will always be aware of other living beings around her on a predictable time table, even if not her species. I always get her out for cuddles every time I visit too. So I think I will encourage my sister to keep up the regular interaction and also suggest she says to the kids that they need to be extra good and remembering to give Leah love and attention since she is lonely now.

 

[Mairi M]

Sweet little Leah piggy!

 

[LisaAli]

Aww she is such a cutie...

If circumstances change please don't hesitate to contact us, as she would be more than welcome amongst our lot..

Lisa & Ali.. x

 

[Mairi M]

Aww she is such a cutie...

If circumstances change please don't hesitate to contact us, as she would be more than welcome amongst our lot..

Lisa & Ali.. x

Thanks so much, she is such a wee cutie pie! Just in case it does become an option which part of the country are you based in? Leah's current home is in East Lothian.

 

[LisaAli]

Thanks so much, she is such a wee cutie pie! Just in case it does become an option which part of the country are you based in? Leah's current home is in East Lothian.

We are in Fife, Just over the bridge in Burntisland.. x

 

[Freela]

Awww, what a cute picture! She's adorable!