So I have two boys that I got from a friend because he got really allergic to them. These pigs have been passed on from home to home and I am now there forever owner. I believe that they will be turning 5 and 6 this year. I weigh them twice a weak and have started to feed them a low calcium diet. Any tips on keeping elderly pigs.
Elderly Guinea Pig...
- Thread starter Wafflez
- Start date
D
DM030819
@Wafflez I've never really treat my older boys any differently. I keep an eye on them for any signs of arthritis (stiff walking, holding up a leg, hopping instead of walking) as that can be something that occurs with old age.
I wouldn't worry if they're not dashing around and jumping all over, and if they sleep a bit more than expected. They do like to wind down as they age, some more than others
I wouldn't worry if they're not dashing around and jumping all over, and if they sleep a bit more than expected. They do like to wind down as they age, some more than others
piggieminder
Forum Buddy
Lady Kelly
Senior Guinea Pig
I'm with Jaycey in that I don't treat them any different unless I see problems (one of mine had arthritis in her spine so was sitting in her own wee too much so obviously I treated her for that). My willow was anywhere from 5 years upwards when she passed recently and even two days before she was giving the younger ones a run for their money 
that said she did need to build a bit of momentum before being able to run up the ramp
that said she did need to build a bit of momentum before being able to run up the ramp
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Merab, my avatar, is 5yrs 7mths now - give or take a week. Apart from being a bit slower there is no noticeable difference in her behaviour to that of her 2 younger companions.
The more cautious moving around is as likely to be due to her blindness as her age.
She feels a bit bonier too but as she has a healthy appetite and keeps well I think that's normal for her age.
The more cautious moving around is as likely to be due to her blindness as her age.
She feels a bit bonier too but as she has a healthy appetite and keeps well I think that's normal for her age.
KathT
Forum Donator 2025/26
Toby, my old boar who passed away at the end of January slowed down gradually. He was always a grumpy pig and never liked being handled much, but he was weighed once a week for observation. When he went, he went very quickly and there was very little I could do to save him. I kept him in the same routine and diet as I didn’t want to change too much.
Hoppity.K
Adult Guinea Pig
My late gorgeous wonderful guinea piggie Pedro lived to about 7. He died suddenly & unexpectedly. Days before he died he was still doing zoomies, popcorning & running around. He just had bigger rests/ dozed & snoozed a bit more before starting off again. He did go a bit bony & was less “squashy” to feel & he lost a bit of weight but he was otherwise no different x