Lazw
Junior Guinea Pig
Hello everyone,
Unfortunately my lovely senior sow Holly was bereaved at the weekend- her cage mate was a 6 year old sow who she has been with since she was a 6 week old
. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to have any more piggies, but I want to do the right thing for Holly. I have spoken to some rescues, believing that having piggy company would be in her best interests- my plan was to pay someone to keep her as part of a permanent herd at a rescue but nobody has any space for this. I've also been told that, at 5.5 years old, the kindest option may just be to keep her as a solo pig for the remainder of her time. She doesn't appear to be grieving particularly, is still eating and hasn't lost any weight. Her cage mate had deteriorated over an extended period and I believe Holly knew she was dying. The day I had her PTS holly did not look for her/cry for her, although I would say she is spending more time sleeping than prior to losing her friend.
My other option was to find somewhere happy to loan me a piggy to bond with her, but that is also not appearing to be an option either as nobody has a piggy suitable or that they'd be willing to loan out to then take back once holly passes. My vet called to say she'd found a home for her, but when I spoke to her, the friend she has in mind has 4 boars and obviously I can't add Holly to an all male herd. (Holly is spayed but appreciate it will cause huge issues to add her to multiple males)
She's currently sat with me in the kitchen munching on hay and playing with her toys and seems content. I don't want to send her away to somewhere else if actually she'd be happier staying in the home she's known her whole life. Such a tough decision. If anyone has any advice or success stories of keeping lone elderly pigs I'd very much appreciate it.
Unfortunately my lovely senior sow Holly was bereaved at the weekend- her cage mate was a 6 year old sow who she has been with since she was a 6 week old
. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to have any more piggies, but I want to do the right thing for Holly. I have spoken to some rescues, believing that having piggy company would be in her best interests- my plan was to pay someone to keep her as part of a permanent herd at a rescue but nobody has any space for this. I've also been told that, at 5.5 years old, the kindest option may just be to keep her as a solo pig for the remainder of her time. She doesn't appear to be grieving particularly, is still eating and hasn't lost any weight. Her cage mate had deteriorated over an extended period and I believe Holly knew she was dying. The day I had her PTS holly did not look for her/cry for her, although I would say she is spending more time sleeping than prior to losing her friend. My other option was to find somewhere happy to loan me a piggy to bond with her, but that is also not appearing to be an option either as nobody has a piggy suitable or that they'd be willing to loan out to then take back once holly passes. My vet called to say she'd found a home for her, but when I spoke to her, the friend she has in mind has 4 boars and obviously I can't add Holly to an all male herd. (Holly is spayed but appreciate it will cause huge issues to add her to multiple males)
She's currently sat with me in the kitchen munching on hay and playing with her toys and seems content. I don't want to send her away to somewhere else if actually she'd be happier staying in the home she's known her whole life. Such a tough decision. If anyone has any advice or success stories of keeping lone elderly pigs I'd very much appreciate it.
Perhaps Holly would enjoy one. My pigs are boars who live side by side after a fall out, so may be a bit lonely. They tend to nap more during the day and are most active early mornings and evening, which is when I socialise with them most on work days. The other thing is kitten TV with birdsong. Holly might enjoy that 