Empathy in guinea pigs.

[RosieLily]

Rosie and Lily are a very tightly bonded pair. Rosie is the little daredevil, Lily one of the most well-behaved pigwigs I've ever met and also the boss pig in this household. They bicker here and there, but ultimately get along very well. Like sisters.

Whenever Rosie's been poorly, a couple days before the obvious signs present themselves (not eating, lethargic), Lily stops bickering, sleeps close to Rosie and also stops washing herself as thoroughly, causing cleaning fluid to pool up in her eyes a bit. Lily's a clean freak, bless her, usually she grooms very often. So I always know something might be wrong with either pig when I see Lily behaving this way.

For close to two weeks now, Lily hasn't been washing properly and her eyes have been a bit goopy again. I got worried so I took the girls to the vet yesterday, but nothing seems to be wrong with either of them. Lily's eyes are normal, no injuries, tummies feel good, teeth look good, happy and active, obviously eating, all good.

I'm starting to think maybe Lily knows her servant (well, me) has been feeling down. They've both been more affectionate lately, staying close by whenever I let them roam free, giving tons of kisses, etc.

Could it be the little furballs recognise their hooman is feeling down and react this way? I will continue keeping a close eye on them, perhaps my vet and I have missed something, but right now I can't think of any other reason for this.

 

[Swissgreys]

I think that piggies who are closely bonded with their humans' can feel empathy towards them.
I know Ruby certainly reacted differently to her favourite slave depending on how she was feeling.

Ruby also often tried to bite me when I was having a bad day - probably to remind me that things could be worse

But seriously I do think guinea pigs can pick up on and respond to the moods of their owners.
Sorry you are feeling down at the moment

 

[Hope4gem]

Our RB piggy Chippy used to lick my family member's face when they were sad. I do think piggy's may pick up on much more than we realize.

 

[Merab]

 

[piggieminder]

too!
Only one of the 4 piggies I have now cares about his humans but we've had other's in the past who did.

 

[Betsy]

I think animals in general are good at picking up on whether their Hoomans are unhappy or not. Understandably, you are not happy at the moment with the loss of your beloved Granny. Your piggies are almost certainly picking up on your unhappy and upset vibes.