Guinea pig life span

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Clover_kins

Hi,

I was just wondering what age you've known a guinea pig to live to? and what is an average age for them to 'depart'?

Clover had just turned 6 when her friend died, and i was told that she probably wouldn't live much longer, so i was wary in getting a friend for her... and we don't have room for another cage to put by her. Now i'm really kicking myself, because Clo is 7 in a few months and she's been alone all this time (albeit with lots of fuss from me). I'm still thinking in the same way... but will i be really annoyed with myself in another 6 months time?

Another thing i was worried about, if i did get her a friend and they really didnt like each other :( I don't think i could bear stressing out my clo at her age. Is it often where they don't get on well?

What is everyone's opinion?
Nici :)
 
I think at her age you would then end up with the younger one with out a friend in the not so distant future, my eldest was 8 and she was an exception mostly if mine get past 3 then they tend to go on a lot longer dont know why that age is a so risky but in my case it is, always has been in over 30 years of keeping pigs its always been the same, maybe becasue I keep a large number of them makes the difference, and as you also said Clo might not take to another pig and it could stress her out although a very young one might be fine, basically if you want to keep pigs then it might be worth your while getting a youngster a sow obvioulsy if they dont take then get the youngster a young mate to grow old together and keep Clo as a run mate for them sharing floor time etc and of course your loving cuddles,
 
Guinea care books generally state that live between 5 and 7 years and I'd say that this is pretty close to the mark. Of course you will always sadly get the ones that die young and happilly those that go on much longer :)

Personally if you little girl seems happy and you are as it seeems able to giver her lot's of attention, then I'd not introduce her to another guinea pig at her age and considering the fact that she has been alone for some time.

If you decide to, I'd go with Michelles advice, but please remeber to get your new baby from a reliable source. Please don't buy from a pet shop as so many cannot tell the difference between male and female guinea pigs, plus many pet shop piggies come complete with skin disease and unwanted pregnancies :(

Good luck, whatever you decide.
Barbara
 
Hi, Thanks for the advice. I am very wary about getting a friend for her.. but i just wanted to make sure i was doing the right thing (in not getting her a friend at this late stage).

I would definitley get rescue babies from someone respectable, if i did get some :)
 
My eldest lived to be nearly 8 (on average mine have been about 5 or 6 when they passed) and she did spend the last 2 years of her life alone. Like you, she was at an age when her sister died, where I didn't want to put her through the stress of pairing her up and she did seem happy - in fact she loved socialising with my dog and my rabbit through the bars of her cage (not in person!). She was my only pig who I spoilt rotten until she passed away (last September).

Then I got some new piggys - I will tell you this though - having baby piggys is a shock to the system after having an old girl. I forgot they could move so fast! ;D ;D

Good Luck with what ever you decide.
 
I'm not usually sure of the ages as most of mine are older when they come but on average I think mine are about 4 1/2 to 5. I don't think I've ever had one 6 or 7. I wish I had.
 
oh beaney, you just reminded me of when clover met my friend's labrador. It was so sweet! They seemed to make friends straight away through the cage bars. The dog was so intrigued, ears pricked and tail in the air, she was going cross eyed she was so close. She started to act like she wanted to run around with her! Clover just wanted to get closer & sniff the dog back. I wish i had pics :)

Clover moves pretty fast on occasion (especially up my front and off my shoulder at the vets ::))
 
I've got quite a few 6yr olds; it isn't particularly unusual for them to live that long.

The oldest I have heard of was 11, and I have heard of a fair few that reached 9.

BW
Louise
 
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