Looking For Advice About What We Do Next..

[Meggy50]

Hi

On Friday one of our piggies, Daisy, passed away. We had only had her two weeks and she was only 14 weeks old. She was a sweet little piggie and we will miss her.

So now poor Lilly is all alone and I really need advice about what we do now. The vet said Lilly looked healthy and thought Daisy’s problems could have been a neurological condition, but how long should I leave it before trying to bond her with another pig?

We have been giving Lilly lots of cuddles and floor time with us, so that she has company but she is still very timid. She has not been eating as much as she was before Daisy passed but I think it is normal for them to lose their appetite when they lose their companion. Does this usually pick up in a few days and is there anything I should be doing to help her?

A friend in work, who has piggies, said she knows someone whose piggie has had babies and perhaps I could look at getting one of these (a girl) to bond with Lilly. I have never bonded before so have no idea what I am doing! With Lilly being 14 weeks old, is it better to bond her with an older or younger piggie? Once I know Lilly is in full health, is it best to start the bonding process as soon as possible so that she isn’t lonely for too long?

Sorry to ask so many questions! Thanks for any advice you can offer.

XX

 

[Annie Robbins]

Hi, first of all, I am sorry to hear you lost her beloved piggy. It is always hard losing one cause they are truly apart of the family. I personally have had better luck adding a new member to the herd when the new member is younger than the dominate one. I once tried to add a guinea pig that was older than my dominate one, and they did not get a long at all. But is is possible, people have done it. Like I said, I am only talking out of experience. Best of luck!

 

[GingerbreadEddy]

But then again, it’s not good for guinea pigs to be alone

 

[GingerbreadEddy]

My first guinea pig was 10 weeks old when I got him, I had him for a 3 weeks before I got my second guinea pig who is 2 months younger than my first one.
At first Edward (my first guinea pig) kept on pushing Gingerbread (my 2nd guinea pig) around, but after 2 days they warmed up to each other, and now they are like brothers. Gingerbread has never left Edward’s side, and Edward protects Gingerbread

 

[Meggy50]

Thank you for your replies. I have been calling all the rescue centres in our area with no luck so far.

Lilly is doing ok. I am weighing her every few days and I am glad that she is eating a bit more and not losing weight. She is mostly eating hay and pellets but not really touching her veggies. She had cuddles on my knee last night for over 30 mins and seemed content, that’s the longest she has sat still since we got her!

 

[piggieminder]

I am so sorry for your loss of Daisy.
I hope you find these guides helpful.Behaviour, Bonding & Bereavement Guides

 

[sport_billy]

Sorry your post got missed for a little time @Meggy50 and so sorry you lost Daisy

A younger piggy should be fine, another baby

Have a read of this thread for details on how to bond it is really well researched Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

 

[Meggy50]

Thank you, I will definitely read the guides

 

[Meggy50]

Just wanted to post an update. We have a new guinea pig as a future companion for Lilly. First bonding session went well today with no aggressive behaviour from either pig. They seemed quite happy eating and sitting alongside each other. If they continue like this in the next bonding sessions this week, how long before I can put them in the same cage?