Should I Get Another Guinea Pig For My Guinea Pig?

[Aryel]

I recently lost a guinea pig, Ginger, and I still have my guinea pig Brownie. I know that it is best to have a companion for a guinea pig as they can get lonely. Is it absolute that leaving a guinea pig alone will cause the guinea pig lonliness and depression? It is summer vacation right now so I will dedicate a lot of my time towards Brownie but school will be back and I'm worried I won't have as much time for her. But, one major problem in the way is my parents. My mom spent about $300 on Ginger to get medications for her illness and my dad just doesn't like the amount of work it takes the take care of them. Overall, my parents weren't very fond of the idea of having guinea pigs in the first place. Asking them for a guinea pig would be like asking them for another $1000 laptop. I do have a great deal of determination though when it comes to persuation though it doesn't always work. I convinced my parents to get me a hamster and Brownie soley through persuasion such as research, essays, powerpoints and talking to them. When I try convince someone, I would do anything. Like I said, it doesn't always work and some of their answers will always remain as no. On my other threads, some people have given me advice about bereaved guinea pigs but I didn't mention that Ginger and Brownie didn't really have a good relationship from the start. The thing is, Ginger was very dominate and Brownie was a very frightened and scared piggy. Sometimes Ginger would nip Brownie (but they never fought). So, Brownie was never really comfortable when she was with Ginger. So, just the presence of Ginger would discourage Brownie from coming out. She was TERRIFIED of Ginger. She would never even try to touch her b/c she was afraid she would nip her. She always kept her distance and sometimes when Ginger moved, Brownie would run away. They never fought or showed signs of fighting so I didn't separate them and my parents wouldn't have allowed me to separate them anyway. I thought after Ginger died, maybe Brownie would be a little sad but she was actually perfectly fine. It kind of saddened me that Brownie wasn't sad because that truly tested their relationship and it was absolute that they had no good relationship whatsoever and I wanted them to be close piggys. I'm not saying I wanted Brownie to be sad and depressed but I wish they got along better. So, first, I need advice about convincing my parents. Whats the point of asking you if I should get another pig if I may never even be allowed to do it. Second, should I really? Is it necessary? I'm also afraid that Brownie won't have a good relationship with the new pig just like Ginger. I want them to at least be able to share a house together. Ginger would NEVER do that. If they were in the same house, Ginger would start biting Brownie and force her out of the house. She never bit super hard that there was blood and she didn't rip of Brownie's fur. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Hi I'm really sorry for your loss of Brownie- I read that thread and my heart goes out to you.

Piggies deal with bereavement in different ways exactly like us. Some do get depressed and you'll see their personality change while others won't seem to change at all- though it doesn't mean they don't care. This nipping you talk about was just dominant behaviour and is common to see - especially if a sow comes into season.

On the subject of another piggy it really does depend. If you did do you have money for a vet visit? Etc. Obviously another piggy is the best option and if she starts to become depressed but you aren't allowed another piggy you may have to think of rehoming her. However, as I said it doesn't affect all piggies like that and she may be fine living on her own but I would always try for a companion.

Perhaps show your parents you will handle some of the money aspects. Do you get pocket money? Or have a part time job? Explain to your parents it doesn't have to be a baby- shelters will offer you to bring your piggy to see what friend she likes and it could be of similar age.

 

[Lady Kelly]

1. What's the point in asking? - because if you don't ask you don't get. You never know whether it's going to be a yes or a no until you ask. However, it is your parents home and their money and at the end of the day they will be the ones responsible for the piggy overall so if you put your reasoning forward and get a point blank no then you need to respect your parents decision.

2 Is it necessary? - yes it is important for a guinea pig to have companionship of their own species in order to thrive. From what you have said I wouldn't say that your piggies weren't bonded, rather that there was a very clear hierarchy and Ginger was a very bossy pig. I also think that if you are going to slip back into not spending as much time with Brownie like you did previously that it is even more important that she has a companion.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

I wouldn't worry about the relationship Ginger had with Brownie. None of my pigs have ever shared a house, someone is always kicked out with a firm nip on the bum. Although it looks horrible to us that's part and parcel of their relationship. Piggies aren't scared of each other quite like that, it could just be that Brownie is a particularly nervous piggy. My Tonks is blind in one eye and she runs away at the slightest sudden movement or sound, but she's not scared of the others although they can pick on her a bit.

As for whether you should get a new one, well yes, if you can. If you can't however it would certainly be worth looks at local, reputable rescues who could help Brownie find a friend and a new home. I'm not meaning to sound like I'm being rude, I saw in your other post that you are finding it hard to be with Brownie right now and that's nothing to be ashamed off. It's grief.

I hope you find the best solution for yourself and Brownie, and I'm sorry for your losing Ginger.

 

[Wiebke]

I recently lost a guinea pig, Ginger, and I still have my guinea pig Brownie. I know that it is best to have a companion for a guinea pig as they can get lonely. Is it absolute that leaving a guinea pig alone will cause the guinea pig lonliness and depression? It is summer vacation right now so I will dedicate a lot of my time towards Brownie but school will be back and I'm worried I won't have as much time for her. But, one major problem in the way is my parents. My mom spent about $300 on Ginger to get medications for her illness and my dad just doesn't like the amount of work it takes the take care of them. Overall, my parents weren't very fond of the idea of having guinea pigs in the first place. Asking them for a guinea pig would be like asking them for another $1000 laptop. I do have a great deal of determination though when it comes to persuation though it doesn't always work. I convinced my parents to get me a hamster and Brownie soley through persuasion such as research, essays, powerpoints and talking to them. When I try convince someone, I would do anything. Like I said, it doesn't always work and some of their answers will always remain as no. On my other threads, some people have given me advice about bereaved guinea pigs but I didn't mention that Ginger and Brownie didn't really have a good relationship from the start. The thing is, Ginger was very dominate and Brownie was a very frightened and scared piggy. Sometimes Ginger would nip Brownie (but they never fought). So, Brownie was never really comfortable when she was with Ginger. So, just the presence of Ginger would discourage Brownie from coming out. She was TERRIFIED of Ginger. She would never even try to touch her b/c she was afraid she would nip her. She always kept her distance and sometimes when Ginger moved, Brownie would run away. They never fought or showed signs of fighting so I didn't separate them and my parents wouldn't have allowed me to separate them anyway. I thought after Ginger died, maybe Brownie would be a little sad but she was actually perfectly fine. It kind of saddened me that Brownie wasn't sad because that truly tested their relationship and it was absolute that they had no good relationship whatsoever and I wanted them to be close piggys. I'm not saying I wanted Brownie to be sad and depressed but I wish they got along better. So, first, I need advice about convincing my parents. Whats the point of asking you if I should get another pig if I may never even be allowed to do it. Second, should I really? Is it necessary? I'm also afraid that Brownie won't have a good relationship with the new pig just like Ginger. I want them to at least be able to share a house together. Ginger would NEVER do that. If they were in the same house, Ginger would start biting Brownie and force her out of the house. She never bit super hard that there was blood and she didn't rip of Brownie's fur. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi!

Please show your parents these two guides and ask them for a new companion for Brownie!
Companionship
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

Guinea pigs are social animals and require the company of their own kind. Ginger sounds like a very dominant sow, but what you describe is not out of bounds aggressive behaviour, just normal dominance. The 'biting' is called 'nipping' - it is a very carefully judged gesture of power and is not designed to hurt. Chucking the underpig out of a hidey is also very normal dominance. You always need to provide one hidey per pig, as even the most loved-up piggies want to spend time apart. It is one of these gross misconception that all guinea pigs are snuggly and cuddly by nature; they aren't when you give them the choices. Nevertheless, they need company and constant stimulation; they never get too old for it.
Have a look at this guide here; it has lots of interactive behaviours and will help you understand a lot of what is going on: Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

I have currently got an 8 year old bereaved piggy living here who is the last survivor of her same age group. She has come here because she lost her sparkle and missed the stimulation of other piggies even though she was well cared for and much loved at my friend's. Calli is no longer depressed... The move for company has really made all the difference!