Do you think cagemates know?

[Livia Rabideau]

I posted about my senior girl Snickers a few weeks ago. She is doing well so far, just not moving a whole lot with her arthritis. Her cagemate seems depressed. She is always laying and sleeping near her, which she has never done before. When she isn't she just seems mopey. Her weight is normal. She eats and drinks, so i don't think there is a medical problem. She just seems depressed. Do you think she knows Snickers is not well? Do you think she knows she will not be here much longer? I worry about what will happen with her once Snickers passes. I have a trio that i have tried to add more girls to which hasn't worked out. I will most likely have her spayed to go with one of my single boys. She has crusty nipples and I have a strong feeling she has some reproductive issues going on. I have never had a pig go through surgery yet, so that will be a separate freak out post lol. Sorry this post is kind of all over the place.

 

[sport_billy]

The laying and sleeping by your poorly lady is probably a protection thing. When our girls have been under the weather or poorly their companion has always gone to be by their side sleeping with them etc… sending lots of vibes to Snickers x

 

[Wiebke]

I posted about my senior girl Snickers a few weeks ago. She is doing well so far, just not moving a whole lot with her arthritis. Her cagemate seems depressed. She is always laying and sleeping near her, which she has never done before. When she isn't she just seems mopey. Her weight is normal. She eats and drinks, so i don't think there is a medical problem. She just seems depressed. Do you think she knows Snickers is not well? Do you think she knows she will not be here much longer? I worry about what will happen with her once Snickers passes. I have a trio that i have tried to add more girls to which hasn't worked out. I will most likely have her spayed to go with one of my single boys. She has crusty nipples and I have a strong feeling she has some reproductive issues going on. I have never had a pig go through surgery yet, so that will be a separate freak out post lol. Sorry this post is kind of all over the place.

Hi

Guinea pigs have much finer senses; yes, her cagemate knows, sooner and more accurately than you.
Please keep an eye on both and on the companion's weight as well.

The stress/apprehension can make underlying health issues come to the fore in companions as well. Before diagnosing depression, you always need to make sure that there is not a medical problem in play.

If you can, move your most promising single boy next to the sow cage (he hasn't go anybody to fall out with but make sure that he cannot get out of his cage in any way. That will help with the companionship aspect and will hopefully also help bolster the loss if she has somepig else to interact with, if only through the bars. And it may also help ultimately with acceptance if they have made friends before they actually meet.

 

[Swissgreys]

Piggies absolute know, and behave appropriately.
Sometime the first sign I have had that a piggy is ill is the cage mates acting differently around them.

 

[Livia Rabideau]

Piggies absolute know, and behave appropriately.
Sometime the first sign I have had that a piggy is ill is the cage mates acting differently around them.

Thank you.

 

[Livia Rabideau]

Hi

Guinea pigs have much finer senses; yes, her cagemate knows, sooner and more accurately than you.
Please keep an eye on both and on the companion's weight as well.

The stress/apprehension can make underlying health issues come to the fore in companions as well. Before diagnosing depression, you always need to make sure that there is not a medical problem in play.

If you can, move your most promising single boy next to the sow cage (he hasn't go anybody to fall out with but make sure that he cannot get out of his cage in any way. That will help with the companionship aspect and will hopefully also help bolster the loss if she has somepig else to interact with, if only through the bars. And it may also help ultimately with acceptance if they have made friends before they actually meet.

Thank you. I have 2 boys I am thinking if pairing her with. The one is relentless with his humping lol. The other used to be aggressive, but after being separated from his cagemate that the attacked, seems quite. I think I will start with him first as the humper seems happy with his aggressive neighbor. Boys. Geez. Lol.