On his lonesome now my baby Mo has gone.

[Jesse's pigs]

Due to Mo's subsequent passing, my little boy Steve is now all alone. My question is- what next?

He has (unlike Mo) always had a friend and never been without another guinea pig. As soon as I got him from his litter mates, he was with Mo. I have been monitoring him since their separation, and he is still eating/drinking and popcorning when I clean him out- but I feel so bad seeing him alone. He got all of his confidence off of Mo and I feel like I cannot ever have the same bond with him as he did with my baby.

I feel bad thinking about getting another guinea pig so soon after Mo, but is this the best thing? And if I do should I anticipate any difficulty?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I am sorry for your loss.
Piggies are often ready to a new friend before we are. As you know, they aren’t wired to cope alone so getting him a new friend will be better for him in the long term.
It is character compatibility which counts when it comes to finding a new friend. If you go out and buy a new friend from a pet shop then there is always that risk that the two of them won’t get on and then you’ve got two single piggies.
I see you’re in Cambridgeshire - is there any way you could talk to/go to Wood Green to see if they can help with finding him a friend. I know they offer a bonding service for rabbits so they may do it for piggies too - where by you take your piggy to them and he stays there for a few day’s while your piggy chooses his own new companion and then if a bond is successful, you bring them both back home. That way it ensures that the bond is more likely to work out as they have chosen each other.

 

[Betsy]

Sorry for the loss of the lovely Mo. It must be hard while you're still grieving to put Steve's needs above your own but the fact that you are just shows what a dedicated piggy slave you are. Let us know how you get on.

 

[Wiebke]

Due to Mo's subsequent passing, my little boy Steve is now all alone. My question is- what next?

He has (unlike Mo) always had a friend and never been without another guinea pig. As soon as I got him from his litter mates, he was with Mo. I have been monitoring him since their separation, and he is still eating/drinking and popcorning when I clean him out- but I feel so bad seeing him alone. He got all of his confidence off of Mo and I feel like I cannot ever have the same bond with him as he did with my baby.

I feel bad thinking about getting another guinea pig so soon after Mo, but is this the best thing? And if I do should I anticipate any difficulty?

Hi!

I am very sorry for your loss. The best way forward is by dating Steve at one of our recommended rescues, so he can choose himself who he wants to live with. That always makes for the happiest new bond.

There are should hopefully be more than one rescue within your reach. Because rescues rely on what piggies they have in and available for adoption, it is best to contact all that you can reach and then start with the most promising one. Be aware that they have usually more piggies in than on their website and they are all volunteer run by very busy people.
You can find a link to our recommended rescues either via the bereavement guide or via our top bar.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

All the best!

 

[Flutterby]

 

[Sophie B]

I’m very sorry for your loss, Steve will need a friend and will be ready for one before you are