Grieving Piggie Advice Wanted

[Angeladeedah]

I lost one of my girls about 5 weeks ago, then on Wednesday night I lost her best friend - she had appeared totally fine, nothing for me to suspect about and had been eatting and drinking normally. In fact that same, I left them all munching away on a bowl of veg.

However, that now leaves Toby and little Flower - I've only had Flower about 4 weeks so she's with me anyway but Toby appears to be really quiet since Daisy went and not his usual chirpy self. He also runs away from me now, when he used to coming to see me.

Is there anything that I can do to help me in his grieving? I don't want to lose him too.

 

[Wiebke]

HUGS

I am so sorry; it so hard to lose piggies so close to each other - it impacts on all of them massively.

Most piggies withdraw when they are grieving, but come out of deep mourning within a few days. It is very hard for us to stand back and watch them not wanting our love at a time like this.

The only thing you can do is look for more girls to join Toby and Flower to start a new era. New company is usually the best way of perking up grieving piggies.

 

[Angeladeedah]

I lost one of my girls about 5 weeks ago, then on Wednesday night I lost her best friend - she had appeared totally fine, nothing for me to suspect about and had been eatting and drinking normally. In fact that same, I left them all munching away on a bowl of veg.

However, that now leaves Toby and little Flower - I've only had Flower about 4 weeks so she's with me anyway but Toby appears to be really quiet since Daisy went and not his usual chirpy self. He also runs away from me now, when he used to coming to see me.

Is there anything that I can do to help me in his grieving? I don't want to lose him too.

Thank you. It has been extremely sad losing the 2 girls so close to each other - they had been together since birth 4.5years. I'm sure Daisy must have missed her too much and decided to leave here to join her. Wee Toby appears so lost and confused at losing his 2 friends - he's been with them for about a year and a half. I feel so helpless and don't want to lose him too.

I would love to get another wee baby girl to join them, was actually thinking about that today, but I know my workmates struggled to get a girl for me as a present (that's where Flower came from) so not sure how easy it's going to be without going to a pet shop (the nearest rescue is a 3 hour drive).

 

[Wiebke]

Not all of us are blessed with a conveniently accessible rescue. There is no shame in buying a piggy when that is the most practicable solution for you. It is great that you are considering rescue first and would go there if you had one within reasonable reach.

Personally, I would recommend going from 2 to 4 piggies in order to avoid a potential outsider problem.

 

[Angeladeedah]

I would love to have the 4 piggies, think I would need to increase the size of my cage though. It's a c&c but it's only 5 x 2 so I would need to build another level on it first - which isn't a problem as I have leftover grids and correx. Something to think about over the Christmas holidays and get 1 or 2 new piggies in the new year.

 

[pookie]

so sorry to hear about yor piggiespassing over the rainbow bridge, take time to grieve and new little friends will come to you who need a loving person such as you best wishes

 

[Murmur]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss, and in such quick succession too It can't be easy having to think about what to do next right now.

If you would rather go via a rescue, is not there a branch of the SSPCA within reach of you?

Jo x

 

[Angeladeedah]

Thanks everyone. Toby seems to have returned nearly to himself again. I don't feel he's bonding very much with Flower, it might just take them time - I've only had her for 6 weeks. They're not fighting or anything, just not playing or spending any time together. And I never hear them chatting, which I really miss.

Think after the New Year I'll consider an addition or 2. There is an SSPCA not far from us and I'm always checking their website, as I'm after another hamster too but they very rarely have rescue guinea pigs......unless they just don't always put them on their website.