Old Bereaved Guinea Pig

[laurens758]

My guinea pig, Peanut, passed away last night at 6 years old, leaving behind her littermate, Peaches. Peaches hasn't left her igloo much since then, and isn't eating the way she usually does. I've read that getting a new companion can help, but I'm not sure if that is the right thing to do in this case? I'm just concerned because Peaches is 6 years old, and she's experiencing hair loss on her back, which according to my vet is a result of "overproduction of estrogen". What do you think? If you do think a companion would be useful, how do I go about it? Since Peanut's death, I have not even been thinking about getting a new guinea pig, but I've been worrying about the inevitable death of one of them and how the other would react. Also, what age guinea pig would work best with her?

 

[Wiebke]

Please read our guide for bereaved guinea pigs. It tells in detail what to look out for and what you can do at which stage: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

Ideally you contact all the recommended rescues that you can get to set up a dating session once Peanut hopefully comes out of deep mourning after a few days and is picking up her old life again, just without her usual sparkle.
I have happily rescue dated same age/same gender piggies and different sex (neutered boars/sows) and very differently aged piggies - there is no right or wrong, as long as the two take to each other. The biggest difference in age is so far 5 years. The oldest piggy that I have bonded with a new companion is 7 years old, but that can go up to 8 years if my friend's bereaved last survivor is to come here to live out her life with piggy company by the end of the week.

 

[VickiA]

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