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If one piggie dies ...

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Woodlouse

Woodlouse

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.... is it a good idea to let his/her friend(s) spend time with the body?

We have had 3 female guinea pigs living together for 5 and a half years, since they were very young. Sadly today we lost Squirt :( She went downhill very quickly, in a matter of hours, and the vet helped her along a little bit.

The remaining pair, Gidgit and Artoo, seem fine this evening. Are chatting away to one another and eating well. Gidgit is not 100% well but is under vet treatment. Artoo is fit and healthy.

Anyway, it got me thinking.... when the time comes that we lose another pig, is it best to let the survivor spend time with the body? of course, this assumes that piggie hasn't passed away peacefully in the cage. Would just like to be prepared so that I know what to do for the best. Thanks for any advice x

[Would then be considering an older rescue girlie as a new cagemate]
 
I have heard it is best to let them 'discover' the body as they know to accept they are gone, they are very intelligent and will grieve whereas if you took them away with no evidence, they would get stressed.

Sorry to hear about Squirt. :(

x
 
squeaks

when my dog died (with a compassionate vets help) I showed her boby to her mate o f 14 yrs.

this was the advice I was given and it seems logical

just in case the remain furrie looks for its pal

venice
 
a few weeks back i discovered a shocking site, a rat had attacked my piggys, killing 2 and leaving one dying. i removed rex to comfort him but the rest of the group were crying out for him, so i put him back in the run in a box. theres was nothing i could do for him, the vets had treated him, he had seemed to be getting better, but went downhill within the hours before i removed him.
i witnessed the other piggies 'comforting' rex, sadly he passed away not long after. the other piggys acted so strangely, they were all stood around him calling and wheeking out, they nudged him and sat on him,but he didnt move. after a few more nudges they all went back to their hidey holes. i think they knew he had gone and just said their piggy goodbyes. it was sooooo surreal. so yes, i think it is very important to let them see the body, and spend a little time with it.
 
Spishkey said:
a few weeks back i discovered a shocking site, a rat had attacked my piggys, killing 2 and leaving one dying. i removed rex to comfort him but the rest of the group were crying out for him, so i put him back in the run in a box. theres was nothing i could do for him, the vets had treated him, he had seemed to be getting better, but went downhill within the hours before i removed him.
i witnessed the other piggies 'comforting' rex, sadly he passed away not long after. the other piggys acted so strangely, they were all stood around him calling and wheeking out, they nudged him and sat on him,but he didnt move. after a few more nudges they all went back to their hidey holes. i think they knew he had gone and just said their piggy goodbyes. it was sooooo surreal. so yes, i think it is very important to let them see the body, and spend a little time with it.
Click to expand...

I am sorry that happened to your piggies, it gets me so angry when I hear stories like this, it is weird how nature works though with the way they act.

Sorry to hear about your dog too venice.
 
I would let them say their good bye. I usually leave the cuddle bed in which I have kept the dead body with my piggies, so they can have the comfort of the scent for as long as it is there. I found that that helped a lot, especially with piggies that were left alone until I could find them a new companion.

Here is my Minx taking her leave from Mischief, after we brought her back from the vets.
IMG_3889_edited-1.jpg


It might better to leave your two girls together as it is. They might not take to a stranger and it can be more upsetting than helpful.

If you would like to have more piggies, I'd rather recommend introducing a couple of younger sows, so there won't be just one outsider!
 
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My piggy Tallulah died recently. She lived with blackberry and had two other piggies belonging to a friend staying at the time. She'd been going down hill and losing weight, we had no idea why, the vet could find nothing wrong, just one of those things. She didn't suffer but was visibly deteriorating. For two days before she died she became weaker, only moving to eat, so we put food next to her. The other three piggies sat on each side of her cuddling her and keeping her warm. For two days she was not alone for a moment.

My mum found her after she died, and she knew as soon as she went into the shed. The others were running around as normal, actually climbing over her. As soon as she'd gone they knew and had no further interest in her. It was a very sad thing, but really emphasised to me how much they know and how much they sense.

I've always found that whenever a piggy is giving birth or dying the others remain silent. It's eery but nomatter how many piigies I've had in how many hutches they know. Very perceptive creatures.
 
I kept Africa away from Leo when he died, I don't know why, I didn't like the idea of Africa being near Leo... He didn't seem confused but he got depressed afterwards. He seemed to know something was wrong because he walked towards Leo slowly before I shooed him away. I was just in a mess, 'next time =[' I will make sure they can have a few minutes. xx
 
Hi Abi

I am so sorry to hear about Squirt. Sending you and your other piggies hugs.

Popcorn free Squirt.
 
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