Advice on piggy living alone after her friend passed?

[grotty]

One of my piggies just passed away a few hours ago. Luckily she didn't have to suffer very long & I kept her comfy and held her in a little bed with a blanket until she stopped breathing. I'm absolutely gutted, but pulled myself together enough to let my other girl see and sniff her so she'd know what had happened. I was expecting her to be upset but she was very indifferent about it and instead looked to me all excited expecting food like she normally does. She's just been her usual self, eating and popcorning and all that.

They were never super duper close, her being a pretty independent lady, but they lived together since they were babies. I'm a bit shocked.

Is it possible that she'd be okay living solo? I had plans to rescue another piggy so she wouldn't be alone for this process but it all happened so fast and now I'm wondering if she'd just prefer being on her own. Has anyone ever had this happen?

Thank you in advance to any responses.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

How old is your remaining piggy?
Long term, she will need a new friend to spend the rest of her life with but she will be ok on her own for a few weeks while you both grieve. You can then look into adopting a character compatible friend to bond her with once things arent so raw.

The guide below offers further information on how to care for her during the next few weeks

Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

 

[grotty]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

How old is your remaining piggy?
Long term, she will need a new friend to spend the rest of her life with but she will be ok on her own for a few weeks while you both grieve. You can then look into adopting a character compatible friend to bond her with once things arent so raw.

The guide below offers further information on how to care for her during the next few weeks

Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

She's almost 5 years old & thank you for the guide - I should've looked around before posting

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry for your loss. Take care

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

I am ever so sorry for your loss. I lost my own 6 years old Gethin on Friday when he took suddenly ill. It can really whack you, can't it?

Please give your girl time to grieve. You will know when she is coming out of that after a few days. As long as she is eating and drinking, she will hold for a few weeks to give you time to do look around at your local options and work out what is the best way forward for you.

You may also find these guides here helpful for all the little practical details on different aspects:
- Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities (includes a chapter on the challenges specific to bereaved piggies; companionship options (many people don't have all options accessible) and how it comes out when piggies transfer their social species needs onto a human.
- Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs
A closer look at the advantages and most common pitfalls that come with the most usual ways piggies are being sourced to help you going into this with your eyes open; including information on your customer rights.
- Moody Guinea Pigs: Depression, Bullying, Aggression, Stress, Fear and Antisocial Behaviour (how to spot signs of depression in case your girl is one of those who really struggles with being on her own)
- Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics (takes you through all aspects from the run-up to the post-intro two weeks dominance phase in which the new group is fully set up)

And last but not least for your own grieving process, especially if it is your first encounter with loss and also any questions/experiences you may have about the dying process that particularly bug you, whether that is a natural death or euthanasia/pts.
Strong feelings of failure and/or guilt, the need to make sense of what has just happened and going over it with a fine comb are all typical for the onset of the grieving process:
Death, Dying, Terminal Illness, Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children

You are welcome to post a tribute to your lost piggy in our Rainbow Bridge section. The section is there for those who find it helps them at some point in their grieving process to leave a more formal reminder; whether that is now, some days, weeks, months or even years down the line - or never, if it feels not right for you.