Peppers getting old.

[WWDrew]

Hello,

Pepper is 8 years old and he loves his naps. He’s lovely in his old age and he lives beside some girls.

When the time comes who knows when. If find him weak and it’s his time. Is it okay to put one of the girls in his cage to keep him company or is this a bad idea.

I could hold him but he probably prefer another piggie. Would this affect one of my girls to do this?

I’m just asking now because I’ve thought of this before but if I wait for the moment then I’ll probably be freaking out.

Thanks,

WWD

 

[CTWC]

Hi there I really don't know the answer to that but I'm sure an expert will be here soon. We would love to see some photos of your boy Pepper

 

[CTWC]

And the girls of course

 

[Piggies&buns]

What a wonderful age!

It’s a lovely thought but I would not do this. I can’t see that there would be any benefit to it for either of them - they aren’t bonded. They know each other but don’t share a territory so don’t have the same kind of relationship.
You would do better to leave him in his cage where he knows, and you sit with him.

If you did it while he was still aware of that was going on and in order for him to even be able to get comfort from it, it could actually distress him to find another piggy in his territory.
If you avoided that time and did it once the process was further in, he may not even be aware she was there so wouldn’t get comfort anyway.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

It is great that you want to make Pepper as comfortable in his old age as you can but temporary company from already elsewhere bonded piggies in very old age only works with piggies who have either lived with each other at some point or - sometimes but by far not always - with piggies who have been neighbours through the bars for a long time, and it always requires a full formal bonding.

That is how my various Golden Oldies groups over the years have come to pass but they have always been recruited from piggies who knew each other well, knew where they stand with each other in terms of hierarchy and were going together again with a minimum of group establishing dominance.

It does sound like Pepper is rather coming to the end of his life and old age is taking over. Concentrate on physical comfort, like a lightly heated microwaveable snuggle pad for warmth when the blood circulation is no longer working optimally and a piggy (or person) can feel constantly cold. Leave him in his usual surroundings and with his usual daily routine as much as possible - that is what he will appreciate most at this stage.

Here are more tips and information on older piggies: Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection