coping with anxiety about taking care of piggies?

Hope4gem

Hope4gem

Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
Oct 25, 2020
Messages
1,515
Reaction score
3,542
Points
1,155
Location
USA
Hope I'm posting this in the right section. Does anyone else get anxious about taking care of their piggies? What I mean is, I know that I am doing everything that I can for them, but at the same time I am often anxious about it - especially when one of them is ill. I am still pretty new to owning guinea pigs (we got our first just about a year ago) so maybe this gets easier as you go along. Anyone else feel this way? Any tips on how you deal with it? Thanks for listening!
 
I think it’s only natural to worry about them especially when they are poorly but try to enjoy them too. They are not with us forever sadly, and I am a firm believer of “live for the day” don’t worry about what if’s, just take time to enjoy their company and don’t worry about tomorrow x
 
I'm struggling with this too. One of mine has a URI and I've had them less than 2 months. I feel like I'm not doing enough for them and all my energy is going to the poorly one. I dread coming downstairs in case she has passed in the night.
 
Bill & Ted said:
I think it’s only natural to worry about them especially when they are poorly but try to enjoy them too. They are not with us forever sadly, and I am a firm believer of “live for the day” don’t worry about what if’s, just take time to enjoy their company and don’t worry about tomorrow x
Click to expand...
Thank you so much. This is good advice. I really needed to hear this.
 
Every day we have had them since we lost our first pig, we have had 'the fear' I think - hypersensitive to coughs, sniffles, cries anything like that.

It is natural to worry but you need to try and enjoy each day you have with them because you don't have them forever. I have learned this, one day they will get ill and nothing you or a vet can do to save them. This does not mean it is your fault or have done something wrong.

As @Bill & Ted make sure you enjoy each day, Wiebke always says and it is true - piggies have no concept of old age of a life span, they just simply live each moment and enjoy what they have. Make every day a good day as I know all of you do on here.

I am coming to the end of my piggy-keeping days for various reasons and we have had 10 wonderful girls. We have loved, stressed, enjoyed, laughed, and broken our hearts 9 times now, face some heartbreaking decisions but I know that every day our girls were with us they had a life full of love and a nice time. So please try and enjoy them, be mindful but don't overthink things, enjoy the good days with them because they are and the fact you are taking time to post here means you treasure and love them and that is the greatest thing we can give our pets is love.
 
sport_billy said:
Every day we have had them since we lost our first pig, we have had 'the fear' I think - hypersensitive to coughs, sniffles, cries anything like that.

It is natural to worry but you need to try and enjoy each day you have with them because you don't have them forever. I have learned this, one day they will get ill and nothing you or a vet can do to save them. This does not mean it is your fault or have done something wrong.

As @Bill & Ted make sure you enjoy each day, Wiebke always says and it is true - piggies have no concept of old age of a life span, they just simply live each moment and enjoy what they have. Make every day a good day as I know all of you do on here.

I am coming to the end of my piggy-keeping days for various reasons and we have had 10 wonderful girls. We have loved, stressed, enjoyed, laughed, and broken our hearts 9 times now, face some heartbreaking decisions but I know that every day our girls were with us they had a life full of love and a nice time. So please try and enjoy them, be mindful but don't overthink things, enjoy the good days with them because they are and the fact you are taking time to post here means you treasure and love them and that is the greatest thing we can give our pets is love.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for your kind and helpful words.
 
I've been more up-and-down with this current 4 (all healthy and only one getting on a bit) than ever before... and it's definitely worse at night. I even dream about them! It's because they are the first ones that can't be kept as one group so I'm wary of breakouts and fights. In the mornings I'm usually much better as everyone is cheerfully fussing for treats and so pleased to see me.
 
I think piggies cause me more anxiety than any other pet, tbh! (I also have 2 dogs and a cat)

Certainly, when they are ill they are a real worry because their situation can deteriorate so fast. I have a poorly one too just now. I have ceratainly found i have bonded very deeply with my pigs when poorly, especially if syringe feeding is needed - and am then wracked with guilt that i dont appreciate them enough when they're well!

And then all the "if onlys" come in when they are poorly (if only i had got to the vet quicker; if only i hadnt fed them that broccoli; if only i hadnt missed that weigh day)

But, as others have said, these are human emotions and probably exacerbated by pigs being so very dependent upon us. I dont have nearly as many doubts with my dogs or cat.

And pigs dont have those emotions. They only live in the moment and dont know whether they have had 6 months' worth of happy moments or 6 years' worth. So as long as you are providing all the things needed to keep your piggies happy and pain free for as many days, weeks, months or years that they are with you, you can rest easy that your pigs really are having a wonderful life!
 
It’s perfectly normal to worry about our piggies- it’s part of loving them.
I really can only echo what the others have said.
We give our piggies the best lives we can give them and fill their days with joy (food!).
No-one can possibly do more.
 
MildredMaudeandEnid said:
I'm struggling with this too. One of mine has a URI and I've had them less than 2 months. I feel like I'm not doing enough for them and all my energy is going to the poorly one. I dread coming downstairs in case she has passed in the night.
Click to expand...

I sometimes feel like this too, but I think the comments from other members are very pertinent. I used to worry so much, but I decided that I could only do my best and give them the best lives that I can. To flip things around, I think being worried is a good sign as it shows you care about them.

I hope the piggy you have with URI is doing okay!
 
Truffle and Coco said:
I sometimes feel like this too, but I think the comments from other members are very pertinent. I used to worry so much, but I decided that I could only do my best and give them the best lives that I can. To flip things around, I think being worried is a good sign as it shows you care about them.

I hope the piggy you have with URI is doing okay!
Click to expand...
Thank you for the advice. Sandy (the URI piggy) is doing ok. Thanks!
 
I think it's normal to worry about anyone or anything that we love. Right now I have one old lady pig (6.5 years) and one middle-aged pig with a kidney issue. I worry about them plenty! LOL! But I also realize that I am taking good care of them, they have a happy life, and that's really all I can do! I was very upset when Leela was diagnosed with an enlarged kidney, until my son pointed out that Leela isn't worrying about it at all... she hasn't got a clue, she feels fine and is happy and there's no point in me being worried about the future to the point that I miss all her happy days.
 
As long as you look after your piggies as best you can, keep them warm, fed and take them to the vets as necessary and love them that is all they need. Don't worry about how other people look after theirs - we all do things differently. I keep mine in an unheated garage which to some people is a horrendous idea but I must be doing something right as I managed to pass the VERY strict rules of a Rescue.

My girls are happy, healthy and loving life which is all that matters.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top