Hello, my sweet piggy Winnie has now been an independent Guinea Pig for a year since her cage mate died. I have not been able to get another cavy but have been monitoring my girl's mental health and making sure she is happy. I have noticed that she seems a little bit lazier recently but she has been eating fine and has had normal poops. Does anyone know the signs of depression in a piggy so that I could keep an eye out? thanks!
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Depression and loneliness in my single piggy?
- Thread starter winniepig
- Start date
Little Ones
Adult Guinea Pig
Is there a reason you haven’t gotten her another friend yet? Guinea pigs really do need companionship from other guinea pigs. It shouldn’t be a case of watching out for depression, but rather understanding the basics needs of your pet. There are some places in the world which ban keeping single piggies for the very reason that it is cruel. They are herd animals and human companionship does not compare at all. I’m not trying to lecture you if it comes across that way, but it really is the truth! Maybe once rescues reopen, you could consider getting her a friend?
Hi and welcome!
Firstly you need to exclude any potential health issues. If you have worries, please switch from weighing once weekly as part of the normal life long health monitoring in combination with a body once-over to a daily weigh-in at the same time in the feeding cycle.
Since hay makes around 80% of the daily food intake, you cannot control feeding just by eye. See a vet promptly if your girl has lost 50g/2 oz in a matter of a few days or 100g/2 oz very gradually over several weeks.
Weight - Monitoring and Management
Guinea pig body quirks - What is normal and what not?
Only once you have got that out of the way, can you consider depression/lack of stimulation.
Please take the time to read the two guide links below. They tell you in detail what behaviours exactly to look out for and how you best go about potential company by avoiding the usual pitfalls.
- Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities (looks at single guinea pigs in a variety of situations and their specific challenges, companionship and what impact the transfer of social cavy interaction onto you can have on your relationship; including lack of company.
- Moody guinea pigs: Depression, Bullying, Aggression, Stress, Fear and Antisocial Behaviour (looks specifically at signs of depression etc.)
GuineaPigsPipPumpandJG
Junior Guinea Pig
When I first got my boar, he had been alone for about 10 months after his friend had died. At first, he wasn't doing much, just sitting there, eating hay, not really talking. He didn't want any affection (he wasn't used to it in his previous home either) and would just sit for hours. I would have definitely described him as depressed. After being with me for a couple of weeks and having through-the-bars interaction with my girls, he started to talk more and be happier. I think getting Winnie a friend is the best way to go, if you can. I know it helped my boar a lot. Guinea Pigs are social creatures who need a friend. I don't really know the signs of depression, but definitely keep an eye on her.
Hope this helped
