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Advice Needed On Grieving Pig

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Christina Boase

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Hello everyone.
I have just (2 days ago) lost a wonderful 7 year old pig to old age,leaving the other one on her own,and very affected and I wonder if you can tell me what is best to do:

I could get her another rescue pig,in which case would it be better to get another girl or a neutered boy? (best in terms of less possible fighting I mean)

Or I could get her a few mates (ideally 2 or 3) in which case what would be the best sex ratio and would it be best to get 3 individual pigs rather than a group that already know each other.

They would have quite a bit of space,since they have a hutch in our lounge and free-range in our house and part of the garden.

Also,should I get her new companion(s) immediately or wait a week or 2 ?

Would very much appreciate your advice and experiences on this as seeing the remaining pig on her own is awfully sad
Christina
 
Ho old is your remaining piggy? I got a 4 to 5 year old girl, Minnie who was difficult to bond with my girls so took her boar dating & got her a young neutered boar, Mitch as a companion. He was under a year old but they got on great & eventually after the bonding of these 2 I brought the other 3 girls into the group successfully.
 
Hi Stewybus
Thanks very much for your reply.

My pig,Wolfie, is 4 and a half.
We gave her 5 days to grieve and then got her a darling 4 year old male pig from a rescue centre.

Over the past 2 days we've done it all according to the book-big neutral space,shampoos etc......but she hates him.
Tried to let them be,so they could work out a pecking order but in the end always had to separate them to avoid him being injured.
He is terrified of her and we feel so guilty taking him away from his harem at the rescue centre and putting him in with this she-devil!

The only good thing is that she's no longer depressed-she's furious !

I suppose that means she will have to live on her own,though we did think of making him a nest on the other side of the room(and obviously getting him another female for company,so at least Wolfie will have other pigs to talk to,even if it's all insults!

Any ideas will be much appreciated. I have bonded with the new pig too but want him to be happy

Christina XXXXXXX
 
Dear Christina,

You seem to be approaching this dilemma with the right attitude and am sorry to hear that you are having some teething problems finding Wolfie a new partner.

If I were you, I'd check with your local rescue centres and see if you can find one that can help you with GP dating.
 
I did try for GP dating but none of the rescue centres here in Cornwall will do it.
Wolfie is so fierce I'm not sure she'll like anyone.
I got her this boy because people said she'd be more likely to accept a male than a new female
Since my last post (20 minutes ago!) I have definitely decided to give the new lad his own little separate colony,and get him a female or 2 for company.
That doesn't solve my Wolfie problem,but at least he'll have a happy life!
 
At least you've tried . The nearest rescue centre that seems most likely to help me is nearly 35 miles away. I suppose that's not bad compared to how far some their people have had to travel. Mine are currently seperated and can talk to each other through the bars at the moment. One of them (Max) doesn't seem the slightest bit bothered about this but I can tell that Monty would really like a companion in the same cage with him.
Wolfie has chosen her destiny.
 
Hi! I am very sorry for your loss! Guinea pigs don't unfortunately grieve any less than us, and it can be heart-wrenching to watch. We have got an information thread for bereaved piggies at the top of the Rainbow Bridge section, where you are most welcome to post a tribute to your old lady.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/looking-after-a-bereaved-piggy.109674/

Could you please add your country, state (US/Aus) or county/general area to your details. Just click on your name on the top bar, then go to personal details/location. That will make it a lot easier for us to give you the appropriate advice and - if possible - local recommendations.

With a sow, you can look for either gender, sows or neutered boars; the most important factor is mutual liking rather than age. Ideal would be dating at a good rescue, so your remaining girl can make the choice and you come home with a new friend only if there has been success. If the pining is really bad, I would look to bond as soon as possible, as a new friend is the best way of perking her up. Here is our recommended UK rescues locator; all of these rescues offer dating under expert supervision for bereaved piggies: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-rescue-locator/

I have successfully dated bereaved girls of mine with either, sows and "husboars", and each way alwsys got a very loving relationship out of it.
 
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