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Passed piggy when to get a companion

A

Adorabella

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Hey there,

First time poster so forgive me if I’ve done this wrong/in the wrong place.

My 6 year old piggy sadly passed last night. She was lying on her side sleeping and it looks like she possibly just passed in her sleep, I have two and they were very close (not related but acted like sisters)

I know I will need to get another to keep her company as she is already starting to miss her little sister. But I’m not quite sure when is best to get her a companion. She is also 6 so isn’t the youngest so don’t want to stress her out by being alone, but also don’t want to overwhelm her with a new friend too soon. Any advice on what’s best would be great thank you
 
Welcome to the forum and I am so sorry for your loss.

Your girl will grieve her companion and she may be a bit quiet for a few days.
If your piggy is otherwise coping alone, then you have a few weeks to put plans in place for rebonding.

This guide explains looking after a bereaved piggy further

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

When it comes to finding a new friend, contacting a rescue centre and enlisting their help in finding a suitable character compatible companion is safest

This is a link to our reputable rescue list - Guinea pig forum recommended rescues
 
Hi and welcome

I am very sorry about your loss.

As long as your bereaved girl is still eating and drinking, please give her time to mourn. You can use the time to contact all good rescues within your reach that offer rescue dating so your girl can choose for herself whether and who she wants to be with. Ideal is about a time frame of 1-4 weeks but if waiting lists are longer, then it is worth the wait much more than rushing out and getting a piggy that may not necessarily work out. Not all older ladies are open for a new relationship in my own experience with a fair number of them over the years.

Much more important than age or gender are mutual liking and personality compatibility. the advantage of rescue dating means that you come home only with a piggy if acceptance has happened and you have the rescue to fall back in case there are problems. As a fall-back option (if you have the space), you could consider next door company in and adjoining cage.
More information about dating and the challenges you can face with bereaved single piggies:
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities (this guide will also help you to spot when she starts transferring her social needs on you)

More information on rescue dating and rescues: Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs

And here is some helpful information for yourself as you go through the grieving process yourself, which is not necessarily what you expect. The guide will help you make sense and also contains lots of practical tips and resources: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
 
Thank you this is very helpful, I am in Scotland are you aware or any piggy rescues here?
 
Adorabella said:
Thank you this is very helpful, I am in Scotland are you aware or any piggy rescues here?
Click to expand...

There is only one Scottish dating rescue in Ayr but they rehome Scotland-wide as long as you can come to Ayr and are well worth the journey as other Scottish forum members with bereaved piggies have found. The SSPCA can have guinea pigs, but they don't offer dating (i.e. character matching).
Website: AYR'S GUINEA PIG RESCUE AND REHOMING CENTRE
Facebook: Ayrs Guinea Pig Rescue and Rehoming Centre

If you live on the southeastern side of Scotland (Borders area up to Edinburgh), Gertie's Guinea Pig Rescue or North East Guinea Pig Rescue (both in the Newcastle area) will rehome as far. You can find the contacts in the recommended rescues link.

Travelling tips: Travelling with guinea pigs
PS: I have travelled with piggies aged between 9 weeks and 9 years of age for several hours on the train; in fact the 9 year old and her mates were part of a rescue operation coming out of Jersey with her going to a private sanctuary place in Liverpool; she did survive her several days journey just fine and lived for quite a few months longer.
 
Thank you so much for your help I have emailed them!

Also my first reaction was going to be to clean her cage but after reading your posts of leaving something smelling like her I’m not sure if I should leave it for another day or so then possibly change out half so there is still the others scent? (She is in a 6ft c and c cage and is on carefresh bedding gets spot cleaned daily but due for a deep clean)

She is drinking more than usual but isn’t eating as much as she usually does but is eating, but isn’t making any noises she’s usualy quite vocal as soon as she see’s someone or hears a bag Russel is this normal and part of the grieving process?

Sorry many questions they are my first piggies so have never delt wirh the grieving process before and don’t want her health to decline as she is starting to show her age now
 
Welcome to the forum and I am so sorry for your loss.

It’s wonderful that you are thinking of your surviving piggy’s need when your own grief is so raw.
I, too, have just lost a piggy and have decided to leave the cage for a day or two so that the other two can still smell her.
They were very subdued yesterday but brighter this morning.
Piggies grieve but soon get on with the business of survival.

When I was left with a single bereaved piggy it was a few weeks before I was able to find a new companion and although quieter Merab was ok.

Please don’t stress yourself.
Grief takes time and sends your thought processes awry.
Be gentle with yourself.
We are here to support you so please keep asking questions.
 
Thank you so much, it’s reassuring to know she will be okay alone for a few weeks until I find her a new friend I was worried I would need to find one instantly. Thank you so much everyone for your support 💕
 
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