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Lonely Guinea Pig

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helenv87

helenv87

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hertfordshire
It's been 2 weeks since bacon passed away and I'm really unsure how my other guinea pig sausage is handling it.
I think she might be a little depressed and withdrawn but my boyfriend thinks I'm being paranoid and that she is the same as normal.
Sometimes when I go see her she is just just sat starting out into the open towards the footpath near our house almost as if she is waiting for someone to walk past.
Other times she is in her hidey house and she stays in there, normally she would be the first one out to say hello when she heard the door open.
I've given her regular attention etc and handle her as often as I can.
I made her a little indoor "pen" recently like I used to with the 2 of them and bought her some new "toys".
previously when put in the "pen" they would both be running around and popcorning.
There was no popcorning this time which really upset me , instead she just sat and munched on the carrot stick i had given her. I understand being her own she isn't likely to run around as much as when they were both together "playing" but I'd have thought she would have still been a little bit active.
Is there anything I can do other then adding in another guinea pig (I don't really want to adopt anymore guinea pigs at the moment) or do I just need to give her more time
 
How old is Sausage? Is there a reason why you don't want another pig? Sometimes we don't have a choice but to put the pig first, especially if she is young and will be a long time living without a friend.

Have you asked about long term fostering a pig, or the possibility of rehoming Sausage?
 
If your guinea pig is not losing weight then she is not in acute grief but you are experiencing what sounds like I went through with Daisy after we lost Isobel. I was trying to get her a friend but none of the rescues within an hour and half drive had single females or neutered males that were ready. Daisy would get extremely chatty and popcorn every time we came home from work which, while sweet to witness, was equally heart breaking as it meant that she was so very lonely. Behaviours don't change with time and your piggy is in desperate need of company if her own species for her to be happy again
 
I don't know how old they were as I got them from the mum of a friend of a friend, when I asked if she had had them long she said yes but couldnt remember how long.
They are large is size so I don't think they were babies.

I have had a brief look in the area but haven't found any single females available,
I'm not sure if I want to adopt another one as at the moment I don't think I have the time etc to start bonding and won't have anywhere to put another hutch.
I need to look more into bonding but all I have at the moment is a 2 story hutch so if I did get one I'd have to put them together straight away as I have no way of separating them and introducing them gradually.

I don't want to rehome her.

She doesn't seem to be loosing weight, she is eating everything I give her and drinking from her bottle.
 
Most rescues don't advertise their single pigs but will offer help with bonding. I had to contact a few but one I contacted had 12 females in a large walk in hutch/run and they only rehomed from the group to people recommended by their vet or in our situation to accompany a bereaved pig. I didn't have time to call during sociable hours as work is hectic so I did mine through Facebook messages. I think this would be your best option as the rescue will take the guinea pig back if the bond fails which means you aren't left in the situation of needing a second hutch
 
Where abouts are you based? Perhaps we can point you in the direction of people who might be able to help?
 
Long ago I had a male pig (Ugo). Nobody told me piggies are social pets, there wasn't enough information at that time and Ugo had his great (?) life here at home with me and my family. He acted like a dog... he used to growl to strangers and to popcorn alone and with us around. He started growling also when the cleaning lady of my building was washing the floor outside the door. Just like the dog of my neighbours who can't stand the lady and postmen. When my second daughter was born he loved relaxing on her body, and never loved relaxing on my husband's lap... He had a good health, was not scared at all even of dogs and noises and we could even make some bad joke with him, yelling "Ugo! Right about turn!!" and he used to obey... We were just seen as dominant pigs, that' all. Is all of this normal? I don't know... Yes, I must admit that he gave me a lot of satisfactions, maybe more than my two female piggies now that don't look at me as a pig, but as a predator. But THEIRS is the normal nature, not Ugo's.
Anyway, for my Nan who lived in the countryside it sounded crazy also living into a flat in Rome... and she wasn't wrong! I guess we all can adapt our lives, also the dog of my neighbours who is a Saint Bernard dog (!) and live here in Rome into a 80mq flat in the hot, with no sheep and no mountains.
He will not die for that and he looks very happy and healthy...
It is your choice: if you need your piggie for being happy and think that one pig is enough into your life, you will not kill Sausage for sure.
Consider only that living with a lonely pet could make you feel anxious; I remember when I used to run home only for being with my Ugo because he maybe was feeling bored at home all alone. Now I put my female piggies on the floor (in a safe room) and I go out for the whole Sunday without worrying at all. And I see that two piggies don't cost more than one...

This below was the healthy "piggie-dog" Ugo on the lap of his newborn owner:
100_9438.webp
 
My worry is, what if I go through the process of bonding a single guinea pig etc for sausage to also pass away due to "old age" and I then be left with another single guinea pig.
I don't know why bacon passed but it's possible it was her age as I don't know how old she was.
I don't think my hutch is big enough for three, I'm sure it was only just big enough for the 2 of them if I remember right.
 
Could you consider long-term foster? I'm not sure of far it is from you, but there's a rescue called April Lodge that does that I think, though I'm not sure if they allow mixing of home and foster pigs
 
you are rigth and having another pig creates a sort of a "vicious circle" because pigs will never die together. For this reason I say that it is your own choice knowing perfectly that Sausage could make a sort of effort for getting accustomed to the new style of life. If you rehome Sausage into another perfect family she will feel the stress as well, not only for the change of the house, but for the change of the owner...
It is a difficult choice, I know... If you see your future without piggies at home (nothing wrong) maybe it is better to offer a good lonely life to Sausage; but if you feel sad at living without the hay all around, consider another adoption and then when Sausage will pass away, there will be another pig waiting for you...
 
CarnivalPiggy said:
Could you consider long-term foster? I'm not sure of far it is from you, but there's a rescue called April Lodge that does that I think, though I'm not sure if they allow mixing of home and foster pigs
Click to expand...

What does long-term fostering involve?
 
CarnivalPiggy said:
Here's a good explanation Fostercare
Click to expand...

Thanks
I've had a quick look but I unfortunately won't be able to provide long-term foster care as I can only house guinea pigs outdoors and it states that the fostered guinea pigs need to be indoors.
Also due to me working 12hours shifts I wouldn't be able to provide any regular medication or treatment etc they might need.
 
It's such a dilemma for you. But she will get lonely on her own if you are working 12 hour shifts. This sounds awful but couldn't you get a piggie and then surrender it to a rescue when sausage passes x x
 
I am very sorry to hear that Bacon has passed :(

I do however believe that Sausage will become very lonely especially as she is living outdoors and you are working 12 hour shifts.

How big is your hutch?

I know that people say that it's floor space that counts but my 3 guinea pigs (2 sows and one neutered boar) are living in a ferplast 120 double cage as that's the best I can do with the space I have available.

They have plenty of room especially as they are having floor time on top.

I'm just wondering if you could fit 3 piggies in?

My eldest sow Emma is at least 5 years old where as her two friends are much younger but around the same age. Ellen is two years old and Edward 18 months.

I am of course hoping that those two grow old together but if they don't, I will have to reassess the situation at the time.
 
Elisabeth said:
It's such a dilemma for you. But she will get lonely on her own if you are working 12 hour shifts. This sounds awful but couldn't you get a piggie and then surrender it to a rescue when sausage passes x x
Click to expand...

I don't work 12hours shifts every day so I make sure she gets lots of attention etc on the days that I am off.
If I get a piggy with the plan to do that it feels unfair and like I'm not giving the "new" piggy the love it deserves or the same love as sausage if I plan on just getting rid when sausage goes :(
 
Claire W said:
I am very sorry to hear that Bacon has passed :(

I do however believe that Sausage will become very lonely especially as she is living outdoors and you are working 12 hour shifts.

How big is your hutch?

I know that people say that it's floor space that counts but my 3 guinea pigs (2 sows and one neutered boar) are living in a ferplast 120 double cage as that's the best I can do with the space I have available.

They have plenty of room especially as they are having floor time on top.

I'm just wondering if you could fit 3 piggies in?

My eldest sow Emma is at least 5 years old where as her two friends are much younger but around the same age. Ellen is two years old and Edward 18 months.

I am of course hoping that those two grow old together but if they don't, I will have to reassess the situation at the time.
Click to expand...

I don't work 12hours every day, when I am
Off I give her lots of attention etc.

I can't remember how big the hutch is I would have to look it up or remeasure
 
Is there nothing I could add to the hutch as "entertainment" or "boredom buster" type things, or even stuff to put in the pen for floor time to keep her happier?
 
I think you have 2 choices, you will never replace another piggy, you can't speak there language. He probably is lonely, I don't know how long Bacon has been with sausage. I suppose we all worry, about that time when we are going in circles. How long have you had sausage. I think you need to get another one or rehome him so he can company.
 
Think of you, would you like to play by yourself or with a friend. It sounds as if you would like to shut the guineas down. There is nothing wrong with that, but I think sausage needs to go, as at the moment there is no answer. Hugs
 
You are describing to me a guinea pig who is suffering the loss of her companion. Guinea pigs are social creatures. They do not do well in isolation. Toys and human company are not enough for her.
She may have many good years ahead of her. Whilst you clearly care about her I appreciate that you do not want to take on another piggy. You have been honest in that respect. You have to ask yourself is it fair to keep her on her own and without company of her own kind for what could be many years?
My honest opinion is that the kindest thing to do for her is to surrender her to rescue so that she can be bonded with another piggy (sow or neutered boar) and can be rehomed as part of a pair to live out the remainder of her days. There is no shame in this. Rescues do not judge you. I have close links with a rescue and many of the piggies that are surrendered are the last remaining piggy and are in need of company. I have witnessed piggies happily paired up with older or younger cagemates and seen how their behaviour shows that they are happier.
Please use the rescue locator to contact your nearest rescue. Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator

Please let us know how you get on.
 
helenv87 said:
I don't work 12hours shifts every day so I make sure she gets lots of attention etc on the days that I am off.
If I get a piggy with the plan to do that it feels unfair and like I'm not giving the "new" piggy the love it deserves or the same love as sausage if I plan on just getting rid when sausage goes :(
Click to expand...
I am sure you spend lots of time with her I am not doubt g that at all. Just thinking those 12 hours are going to awfully lonesome.

I don't see it amy different to long term fostering and if you don't decide to keep the new piggy when Sausage passes it will make a lovely companion for another bereaved piggy. I am sure I read on that in Switzerland illegal to keep a piggy alone. Hope you find an answer x x
 
I'm going to keep looking and see if there are any single Guinean pigs I could rehome.
I don't want to get rid of sausage as I've put a lot of money and effort into setting up her hutch etc so I'd rather keep her than rehome her.

Does anyone know what the hutch dimensions need to be if I was to rehome 2 instead of 1 if I really do struggle to find 1?
 
For 3 piggies you need a minimum 5 foot by 2 foot single level floor space. Ramps and runs don't count in the measurements.
How big is your hutch?
 
This is the hutch I have, I need to see if I can find the measurements. If I can't I'll have to measure it tomorrow

IMG_1692.webp
 
I suspect that it will be too small for 3 piggies.

Not all rescues advertise all the piggies they have on their websites, so I would contact all the local rescues and explain your situation. You can ask them if they have any single sows or neutered boars on their waiting list. They may bring one in early to see if they are suitable to date with your piggy.
 
I will PM you, I rescued from a lady in Dunstable which (depending on where in Hertfordshire you are) might not be too far for you. She helps with bonding and currently has neutered males in. She isn't a forum "reputable" rescue but I was impressed with her care and support
 
I can't find the measurements but I've got a feeling if I remember right, it either only just met or was a tiny bit too small for the measurements given for 2 guinea pigs
 
I have a single girl now called Bonnie after her third and final cage mate (she was her sister) passed away. She is almost 6 and I really don't want to start the cycle of guinea pigs again as I've had them for years and both my husband and myself don't want the commitment it brings anymore. Bonnie has always been a quiet, nervous girl so re homing her would cause her masses of stress. I am home everyday and she lives in a c&c with my daughters 2 boys in the opposite side of the room so she can hear other piggy's.

It's hard when one is left but I knew the time would come, just not so soon because the other 2 were only 4 so by rights they should still be here.
 
helenv87 said:
My worry is, what if I go through the process of bonding a single guinea pig etc for sausage to also pass away due to "old age" and I then be left with another single guinea pig.
I don't know why bacon passed but it's possible it was her age as I don't know how old she was.
I don't think my hutch is big enough for three, I'm sure it was only just big enough for the 2 of them if I remember right.
Click to expand...
Yes - you may get to a point where you decide to stop. Which I did with my last, who lived quite happily as far as I was concerned for another 2.5 years.
I am now however considering starting again! I think I am mad! But I now live in a house with a garden etc.
But yes you may decide at some point to stop, and it's your choice to make x
 
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