my guinea pig's sister passed away and i notice strange behavior.

[nanatostada]

yesterday morning i woke up to realize my guinea pig baba (short for her long name) passed away over night. i heard i should show my other guinea pig toto her body, but they share the same cage and had been near her when i saw baba. so, ever since then ive been keeping an eye out on her behavior and ive realized a few things. usually we break a carrot in half. before, one sister would take one side and the other would take the other, and now that baba is gone, toto has not touched the second piece, as if waiting for baba to eat it. also, toto is eating much less and does not make nearly as much noise as before when we would crinkle plastic bags or walk down the stairs. what should i do? how can i be there for toto so she can start eating and behaving regularly? is she simply going through mourning or should i be worried?

 

[Wiebke]

yesterday morning i woke up to realize my guinea pig baba (short for her long name) passed away over night. i heard i should show my other guinea pig toto her body, but they share the same cage and had been near her when i saw baba. so, ever since then ive been keeping an eye out on her behavior and ive realized a few things. usually we break a carrot in half. before, one sister would take one side and the other would take the other, and now that baba is gone, toto has not touched the second piece, as if waiting for baba to eat it. also, toto is eating much less and does not make nearly as much noise as before when we would crinkle plastic bags or walk down the stairs. what should i do? how can i be there for toto so she can start eating and behaving regularly? is she simply going through mourning or should i be worried?

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your and your sister's loss! You are welcome to post a tribute to Baba in our Rainbow Bridge section if your sister and you would like to.

When a piggy has died in the presence of their companions, then you need not show the body again; they will have taken their leave already. This only goes for guinea pigs that are euthanised at the vets or have been separated.

Toto is currently in deep mourning. Please weigh her daily and if necessary offer additional syringe feed. Since you do not know what Baba has died from, a vet check may be recommended to close out a health problem.
If she is not eating and drinking at all and is not ill, then she is what we call 'pining acutely', which is is the extreme and potentially deadly form of mourning, as piggies can give up on life. Most well bonded piggies are withdrawn in the first days after a loss but they will still eat enough to keep themselves alive. Acutely pining piggies urgently need company of their own kind to revive their spirits and zest for life; with other bereaved piggies you have ideally 1-4 weeks to find a new friend. If you can adopt a piggy from a rescue, ideally by allowing Toto choose who she wants to be with before bringing home a new companion, that would be great. Companionship is absolutely vital for guinea pigs; they are after all group animals and not wired to live alone.

You and your parents will find the tips and resources in these two links here helpful:
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children

PS: While carrots are safe to eat, they are actually not good in large quantities on a daily basis. It is like having your piggies on a diet of fatty life shortening burgers. It is not likely that Baba has died directly from this (a heart attack, a stroke or acute heart failure are more likely), but please have a read to make sure that Toto stays as healthy as possible.
Over 80% of the daily food intake should be hay, more hay and as much as hay as you can get them to eat - that makes sure that the crucial back teeth and the guts are working optimally as that is what guinea pigs have evolved on; a hay based diet really makes a huge difference on general health and longevity. Only 10% of what your piggies eat in a day should be a balanced mix of veg that provides a wide range of additional nutrients, especially vitamin C, magnesium and trace elements. Pellets (and not a dry mix) should be only a teaspoon per piggy per day.
You can find a pictured sample diet and a list of what piggies can eat how much and how often in this comprehensive diet guide here: Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

We have lots more interesting and very helpful information on a wide range of topics via this link here, including a guide to piggy whispering so you can console Toto in her own language. Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[alpacasqueak]

So sorry for your loss xx

My OAP piggy Rupert is poorly atm with a UTI and is really off his food (I’m syringe feeding and he’s on meds) and his cagemate Jess is not coping very well with him being poorly. If he doesn’t want something then she doesn’t either, is sticking close to his side when normally it’s the other way round. They’ve been together nearly 6 years and are incredibly bonded. Normally the noisiest pigs ever and pretty silent atm!
Piggies really do build amazing relationships and can become very upset with losing their best pals or they’re having issues. They’re together 24/7, it’s a lot for them cope with sometimes when things change.
Hope she feels better and you can get her a new pal to cheer her up x

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your loss.
When my Merab lost her cage mate she was very quiet and subdued for several days before she got on with the business of surviving.
Toto will be grieving in her own piggy way.
She will be ready for a companion before you feel ready for a new piggy but she will need another companion.
Be gentle with yourselves as you grieve for Baba

Welcome to the forum

 

[nanatostada]

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your and your sister's loss! You are welcome to post a tribute to Baba in our Rainbow Bridge section if your sister and you would like to.

When a piggy has died in the presence of their companions, then you need not show the body again; they will have taken their leave already. This only goes for guinea pigs that are euthanised at the vets or have been separated.

Toto is currently in deep mourning. Please weigh her daily and if necessary offer additional syringe feed. Since you do not know what Baba has died from, a vet check may be recommended to close out a health problem.
If she is not eating and drinking at all and is not ill, then she is what we call 'pining acutely', which is is the extreme and potentially deadly form of mourning, as piggies can give up on life. Most well bonded piggies are withdrawn in the first days after a loss but they will still eat enough to keep themselves alive. Acutely pining piggies urgently need company of their own kind to revive their spirits and zest for life; with other bereaved piggies you have ideally 1-4 weeks to find a new friend. If you can adopt a piggy from a rescue, ideally by allowing Toto choose who she wants to be with before bringing home a new companion, that would be great. Companionship is absolutely vital for guinea pigs; they are after all group animals and not wired to live alone.

You and your parents will find the tips and resources in these two links here helpful:
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children

PS: While carrots are safe to eat, they are actually not good in large quantities on a daily basis. It is like having your piggies on a diet of fatty life shortening burgers. It is not likely that Baba has died directly from this (a heart attack, a stroke or acute heart failure are more likely), but please have a read to make sure that Toto stays as healthy as possible.
Over 80% of the daily food intake should be hay, more hay and as much as hay as you can get them to eat - that makes sure that the crucial back teeth and the guts are working optimally as that is what guinea pigs have evolved on; a hay based diet really makes a huge difference on general health and longevity. Only 10% of what your piggies eat in a day should be a balanced mix of veg that provides a wide range of additional nutrients, especially vitamin C, magnesium and trace elements. Pellets (and not a dry mix) should be only a teaspoon per piggy per day.
You can find a pictured sample diet and a list of what piggies can eat how much and how often in this comprehensive diet guide here: Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

We have lots more interesting and very helpful information on a wide range of topics via this link here, including a guide to piggy whispering so you can console Toto in her own language. Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

thank you for the help! we dont give them carrots very often but as we've had them for about 2 years there are many times were we have given them carrots. we give them plenty of hay and sometimes other foods we've seen are safe and nutritional for guinea pigs. thank you for the tips, however. toto has been doing better, she is eating more and makes sounds much more often.