Piggie Left Alone :(

[ginniexcarolina]

Hi all I'm in need of some advice.. Last night our Ginnie died through the night she had been sick for a while back and forth to the vets with nothing helping her she just got worse and we nursed her until she finally passed away at around midnight

I'm so heart broken over it and still very upset right now I don't even want to think about replacing her but i am worried about our other piggie who seems a little on the quiet side

I don't want her to get depressed and be lonely all by herself in her big cage it feels very cruel but i just don't know where to go from now.. I would really appreciate some advice thank you

 

[Julie M]

I'm sorry for your loss.
Do you have a rescue near you that offers bonding? As that way your other piggie can pick a friend of her liking.

 

[ginniexcarolina]

I am trying my best online to research places nearby the only one i can get is 40 mins away from us and i don't think that they do bonding / have many available piggies :/

 

[Stayc1989]

I had the same issue when I lost my fudge, it was heartbreaking and I didn't want him to think I was replacing him. After posting a thread on here I decided the best thing to do was get a friend for frankie who had taken the loss of fudge really badly. I was thinking of getting him neutered but decided against the idea as I couldn't cope with another loss if something went wrong.
I actually found the rescue I adopted Freddie from on gumtree. And it was a really lovely place and the piggies were all well cared for. I was a bit sceptical at first because I'd found it through gumtree but after a few texts to the lady who said I could take frankie to chose his own friend I was totally reassured. He fell in love with Freddie straight away and returned to his happy self again which was all I wanted. Maybe if you ask if you can take your piggy there to pick a friend they might be more willing to help with the bonding
Also I've heard of rescues having Facebook pages maybe you could try contacting some through there. Hope you have some look finding a rescue and a lovely friend for your piggy

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all I'm in need of some advice.. Last night our Ginnie died through the night she had been sick for a while back and forth to the vets with nothing helping her she just got worse and we nursed her until she finally passed away at around midnight

I'm so heart broken over it and still very upset right now I don't even want to think about replacing her but i am worried about our other piggie who seems a little on the quiet side

I don't want her to get depressed and be lonely all by herself in her big cage it feels very cruel but i just don't know where to go from now.. I would really appreciate some advice thank you

Hi! I am very sorry for your loss. You are welcome to post a tribute to your Ginnie in our Rainbow Bridge section if or whenever it feels right for you.

Here are our detailed tips on what you can for Ginnie's companion. As long as Ginnie is just withdrawn, but not acutely off her eating and drinking, you have got a bit of time to look around. It is normal for a grieving guinea pig to be withdrawn and quiet; most come out of that after a few days although they have lost their sparkle. It can be very upsetting for you.

The best and safest place to find a new mate of your girl's choice is a good rescue if you have got one or more within your reach; that way you can make sure that there is a new, happy relationship. Mutual liking is the deciding factor, not age or gender (sow or neutered boar). Contact all rescues you can get to in order to ask whether they have suitable mates to date her with; they are not necesarily listed on the website.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

 

[Freela]

I'm really sorry for your loss. I also lost a pig last week, so I am where you are now (with a remaining piggie in need of a friend.) The first thing to do is to watch your remaining pig to make sure that she is eating and drinking. She may be quiet and subdued and her behavior may not be fully normal, but is she is eating and drinking and maintaining weight you have time to regroup a bit. If she is actively pining away, you may have to look for a new friend more quickly. Some pigs adjust better following a loss than others.

When you are ready to take on another pig, you'll have to look for resources in your area, like rescues and shops, etc. Rescues are great but are not available in all areas, so take some time to look around and see what is available to you in your area and what kind of choices you will have.

It can be really hard taking on a new pig when you are still mourning an older pig... I've been there too. We often got a new pig quickly out of concern that the remaining pig would be depressed and it would take me longer to feel attached to them. I did always get attached, though, it just took me some time to get to know them and to accept that they were their own individual and not an attempt to replace the pig I had lost. ((HUGS.)) As I say, I'm right there now too and know it's hard.

 

[ginniexcarolina]

Thank you all for the help today has been awful with a lot of tears

Our other piggie seems to be doing okay at the minute we've had her out her cage quite a bit for cuddles although she hasn't always been that type! she much prefers running and moving around constantly it was her mum who died which i why i've been so worried about her coping, as she's been with her right from the minute she was born! however she's still eating and drinking and doesn't seem as phased by it for now we are looking into getting a new friend for her to keep her company and i hope she doesn't get too upset over her loss

Thanks again for the help

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you all for the help today has been awful with a lot of tears

Our other piggie seems to be doing okay at the minute we've had her out her cage quite a bit for cuddles although she hasn't always been that type! she much prefers running and moving around constantly it was her mum who died which i why i've been so worried about her coping, as she's been with her right from the minute she was born! however she's still eating and drinking and doesn't seem as phased by it for now we are looking into getting a new friend for her to keep her company and i hope she doesn't get too upset over her loss

Thanks again for the help

If she is still eating and drinking, if subdued, then at least you don't have to worry about acute pining and have the time to look for a new companion for her. If she can have a say in that, that would be great.

I have often found that piggies have very much have their own minds as to what they are looking for in a mate, but have always got a great and loving new relationship out of it, even if it wasn't my own choice - and that has worked with both sow and neutered boar companions and over age differences ranging from same age to a 4 years gap.
You are bound to fall in love with the new piggy eventually in your human time; I haven't come across one I haven't!

You may find that being able to do something for the daughter is helping you feel better while still grieving for the mother. it has always done the trick for me. It doesn't mean that you won't be missing your beloved piggy any less or hurt any less over it, but you won't be feeling quite as blue when you can help the daughter to be happy again.

You are welcome to post a tribute to your mum in our Rainbow Bridge section if or whenever it feels right for you. Some find it too painful altogether, others prefer to wait until they have got over the worst of their grieving and a third group finds relief in having somebody to talk about their feelings and issues there with people who understand. There is no obligation or time limit. It is simply there for those who need it or wish to make use of it at any time.

 

[Tiamolly123]

I'm so sorry for your loss, I also cried a lot when I lost Molly. People don't understand your grief when it's just a guinea pig, but grieve in your own way, you will remember the happy times, just probably not now.
Sleep tight Fudge
Popcorn free