Guinea pig death - how to care for cage mate

[Vicky2021]

Hi all,

One of my guinea pigs sadly died today. She was 6.

I have left her in the cage for a bit with our other guinea pig as she is currently laying with her.

I’m not sure what to do as I haven’t had this happen before - I know being alone can make them incredibly lonely and depressed.

We do have two other guinea pigs that are 4 and have always lived together. Should we try and bond them? If so, When is the best time to do that after a cage mate has died as I’m assuming that is also another stress for a guinea pig.

Thanks for any advice

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry for your loss.

Give your other piggy time with her but then remove the body once she moves away.

Make sure your single piggy is beside the pair but in her own separate cage.

Your 4 year old pair are, unfortunately, probably not going to accept her into their pairing. Older sows become less tolerant and a lifelong pair may not take kindly to a single sow being added.
You can try but it is a combination less likely to succeed.

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

 

[Vicky2021]

I’m sorry for your loss.

Give your other piggy time with her but then remove the body once she moves away.

Make sure your single piggy is beside the pair but in her own separate cage.

Your 4 year old pair are, unfortunately, probably not going to accept her into their pairing. Older sows become less tolerant and a lifelong pair may not take kindly to a single sow being added.
You can try but it is a combination less likely to succeed.

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

Thank you for your message, much appreciated.

She moved away so we removed our guinea pig that died. Our remaining one seems ok currently and was happily eating but will keep an eye.

I thought that may be the case re bonding.

As we have two large c&c cages, we were planning to put them side to side with the metal guards in between so they can all see eachother but with a barrier between. We are not in a position to take on another guinea pig and continue the cycle. Is this something that will suffice or would this be unfair? She’s quite elderly herself now albeit slightly younger than her cage mate was so I don’t want to cause her stress. She’s always been quite a bolshy guinea pig and the more dominant one.

Thanks

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s absolutely fine for a single to live side by side with others (I have it myself with two fallen out boars). It is sufficient interaction but means they don’t have to deal with hierarchy or sharing territory, as I say, particularly in older sows who can be harder to bond (not necessarily impossible but harder)

 

[CTWC]

I am sorry for your loss I hope all your girls will be ok