Will Tigger be ok on his own?

K

Kirst817

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jun 12, 2019
Messages
15
Reaction score
9
Points
125
Hi, unfortunately Dopey died overnight. Tigger was in the same hutch with him so would of seen him die. He was only 9 months old 😣

Poor Tigger keeps going to the spot where Dopey had been when I found him. Dopey was poorly and on antibiotics but unfortunately they didn't work (I wish I could of done more for him).

Tigger is 9 months old and I don't want to introduce another guinea pig just yet as we are still mourning Dopey. Will Tigger be ok on his own, as he seems very quiet and he usually is very chatty, he is eating and drinking ok though. We are going to give him lots of attention and cuddles. I got them new toys and treats for Christmas so I can going to give Tigger some of them once I have cleaned the hutch out.

What's the best thing for Tigger? Should I leave him on his own or eventually get a new guinea pig?
 
Definitely get a new pig eventually guinea pigs are social animals and can't live alone even with lots of human interaction
 
As said above, guinea pigs are social animals and not wired to live alone. Unfortunately no amount of human interaction can replace or compare to having a constant friend of their own kind.

I would look to getting him a friend soon as. Hopefully he won’t grieve too much, but he may. Sorry for your loss ❣
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
So sorry for your loss, I'm sure we all appreciate that you need time to grieve and adjust, but guinea pigs rely very much on same species companionship for their well being. If Tigger is alone and feeling the loss of his friend deeply he may well need a new friend to cheer him up before you are ready for a new guinea pig, in a couple of weeks maybe. If you add your location perhaps we can help you further, possibly suggesting rescues that might lend you a foster piggy as a friend for Tigger without you making a lifelong commitment? Sending hugs for you and Tigger, it must be very difficult x
 
So sorry for your loss.
Piggies are usually ready for a new companion before we are, but the human heart is quite remarkable. We may think we will never love another piggy the same way. We won’t because every pig is unique character in its own right.
We will love them for who they are.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve
 
Thank you everyone. I'm going to take Tigger for a health check at the vets in the next few days to check that everything is ok with him.

The vets and myself thought Dopey had an Inner ear infection but with how certain symptoms came and got worse, i think he may have had something else wrong that wasn't found.

After that, I will look for a new companion for Tigger. Would a younger piggie be better? He is 9 months nearly 10 months.
 
Great that you are considering a new friend, a personality match is more important than age- many rescues offer a dating service where your piggy can go meet a selection of new friends and see who he gets on with best before you commit to bringing them home x
 
Yes, I want the best for Tigger, it will be hard getting a new one but it will be loved ☺️ though Dopey will always be in our hearts.

I am going to get a rescue piggie as they all deserve a loving home. I will have a lot at what is around the Manchester area and do some research into them.
 
I'll tag in @VickiA who is a forum staff member who works with The Potteries guinea pig rescue in Stoke on Trent, the rescue is closed for Christmas now but when Vicki comes back online in the new year she may be able to help, as rescues sometimes have extra piggies on waiting lists or in foster care who arent advertised yet on their websites x
 
I’m very sorry for your loss. Like all reputable rescues we are closed at the moment but if you email Helen at [email protected] she will be able to tell you if we have any boars for boar dating.
Personally , I think he’s a difficult age for boar bonding, so would you perhaps consider neutering him and finding him a sow when he’s 6 weeks post neuter?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top