Need advice I think my piggy is depressed?

[Opossum_fur]

Hello, I just made a post last night about my poor Hobbes in the Health and Wellness thread. Sadly my poor baby passed away last night and I’m heartbroken Hobbes was bonded to another male I have named Calvin. I’m starting to notice now that Calvin eats a bit less now before he would run to get carrots and he was the first at the food dish now he just sits in his hut. Calvin is eating but I can see a difference in him and it really breaks my heart do you guys think that this is a sign that I should get another male to bond with him? I’m trying to find another male near me I can adopt, but is Calvin depressed?

 

[Siikibam]

Sorry for your loss
They can sometimes mourn for their cage mate, as he’s doing. Yes it would be advisable for you to get him another friend. Piggies aren’t made to live alone.

If the rescue does boar dating then all the better. Alternatively you neuter him and wait 6 weeks. He can then be bonded with a sow. Once again, the best route would be a rescue where he can choose his own friend. Good luck.

 

[Opossum_fur]

Thank you for the advice I’m trying to find another piggy for him a lot of the guinea pigs at shelters are already bounded and I’m afraid it will stress him out if I get an already bonded pair.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you for the advice I’m trying to find another piggy for him a lot of the guinea pigs at shelters are already bounded and I’m afraid it will stress him out if I get an already bonded pair.

I am sorry for your loss. Guinea pigs do grieve but he is likely to be ready for a new friend sooner than you are. You cannot bond him with a another pair of boys though. You cannot keep three Male guinea pigs together as there will be fights. you need to find a single boy for him to live with.
Alternatively, you could have him neutered, wait six weeks for him to become infertile and then bond him with a female. That’s a long time for him to be alone though

 

[Wiebke]

Hello, I just made a post last night about my poor Hobbes in the Health and Wellness thread. Sadly my poor baby passed away last night and I’m heartbroken Hobbes was bonded to another male I have named Calvin. I’m starting to notice now that Calvin eats a bit less now before he would run to get carrots and he was the first at the food dish now he just sits in his hut. Calvin is eating but I can see a difference in him and it really breaks my heart do you guys think that this is a sign that I should get another male to bond with him? I’m trying to find another male near me I can adopt, but is Calvin depressed?

I am so sorry about your loss.

Guinea pigs grieve no less deeply than humans; especially a sudden/quick death can really throw them, too. Most become withdrawn for a few days but if Calvin stops eating and drinking altogether and just sits facing a corner, then we talk about acute pining; this is an emergency.

Thankfully, acute pining is actually rare. Most piggies come out of deep mourning after a few days and pick up their life again, if without their sparkle. this is the time you can then think about finding a new friend; if possible by letting Calvin meet possible mates at a rescue to find the one he likes best.
Please take the time to read this guide here. It discusses in more detail the point I have only made shortly and also contains lists of recommended good standard rescues in several countries. it also discusses issues like when quarantining it advised and when it is better to proceed anyway etc.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

Bereaved single companions can also gradually become depressed in the weeks after a bereavement. Please do not make the mistake of turning up with a new mate asap before Calvin is ready and always have a plan B at the ready if you choose a new mate in case the bonding at home doesn't come off. It takes on average about 1-3 introductions during rescue dating to find a new Mr Right - the same goes for your chances when you select a new friend.
The following guides will help you to up your chances and how to conduct an introduction properly:
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars (contains a chapter on companionship and how to best go about it)
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities (includes a chapter on bereaved guinea pigs and the unique aspect and challenges when caring for a single guinea pig)

And lastly, here is our guide for members that have suffered a loss to help them through their own grieving process: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

 

[Merab]

If it’s any help when I was left with a lone boar I had him neutered and then after the six weeks bonded him with a sow pair.
If it’s difficult to find singles at a rescue could a sow pair be an option?
Sorry that you lost Hobbes.
It’s lovely that you are thinking of Calvin’s needs while your own grief is so raw.
Be gentle with yourself

 

[Opossum_fur]

Thank you, I’ve never had so much trouble looking for a male guinea pig! I’ve checked all my local shelters and their websites and there are no single males only bonded female and few bonded males. I don’t think I can get Calvin nurtured because my parents think it might be a little much for him. I need advice because my parents keep telling them about this young baby at Petsmart who looks like my Hobbes but the problem is I know that chained pet stores don’t really look after their small animals well and I don’t know what to do because I really can’t find a single boar where I live. What do you think I should do?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you, I’ve never had so much trouble looking for a male guinea pig! I’ve checked all my local shelters and their websites and there are no single males only bonded female and few bonded males. I don’t think I can get Calvin nurtured because my parents think it might be a little much for him. I need advice because my parents keep telling them about this young baby at Petsmart who looks like my Hobbes but the problem is I know that chained pet stores don’t really look after their small animals well and I don’t know what to do because I really can’t find a single boar where I live. What do you think I should do?

To confirm, Did you actually call rescue centres rather than just looking on their websites? I had seen on another thread that often rescue centres don’t advertise their single boars and you actually have to request a single boar.

It is risky buying a pet store baby as you have absolutely no way of knowing whether Hobbes will accept the piggy. You then run the risk of the bonding failing and then you’ve got two single piggies.

If you cannot find a single boar, then I would look to neuter him and find a female for him.