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Single guinea pig

Z

Ziwona77

New Born Pup
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Hello all!
I thought I will ask for advice here.We recently lost one of our boy guinea pig.We have one left (Coco)which was taken from the rescue place.He is a lovely guinea pig,and we would love to keep him with us .We’ve had 3 guinea pigs before him and we lost them so quickly(older was 3 years old).Somehow we don’t feel that we want another guinea pig,as it feels like it’s ongoing cycle…We want best for Coco,but we’re aware that he might be lonely and desperate to have some company.On the other hands it’s so difficult to let him go to unknown place.He seems to be happier when he is with us,but we can only take him while at home,mostly at evening time.
He is eating,running in his cage,but it’s hard to think that if we decide to keep him,he might never see another guinea pig.
What should we do?Any advice please?
Thank you so much!
 
I can sympathise, as we are also wanting to end a cycle eventually. I'm also so very sorry to hear of your losses.

I can't offer much advice, but I can assure you that he shouldn't live alone. It's no life for a species that thrives with company and has herd instincts.

I hope you can find a solution 🤞
 
Have you though about adopting a piggie of a similar age so that you (hopefully!) are left with one piggy for too long after one passes away?
Perhaps you could foster a piggie instead of adopting?
 
Hi,thank you for your replies!

I’ve heard that it is not guaranteed that it will work with a piggy of a similar age,as they may not get along.We always had a baby piggie to become a friend to our older one(males piggies).

Also,when I contacted the nearest rescue place they just said to bring him back to them.Not sure if they can offer me to foster a piggy.The other thing, we will probably get attached to the foster piggy too…
 
I’m sorry for your loss.

Age is much less of a factor when it comes to finding a friend, its compatibility that is the important factor in any bond.
How old is he? The older boars get the more it becomes about companionship and less about dominance as testosterone fizzles out. Therefore finding a boar of a similar age who is also looking for companionship can be successful. They still have to have compatibility though
 
Hi,thank you for replying.Coco is about 20 months old,and he was definitely the dominant piggy when Muffin was with him.
He is the Albino piggy,and the Vet once told me that their lifespan is usually shorter.
 
Ziwona77 said:
Hi,thank you for replying.Coco is about 20 months old,and he was definitely the dominant piggy when Muffin was with him.
He is the Albino piggy,and the Vet once told me that their lifespan is usually shorter.
Click to expand...

At only 20 months, he definitely needs a new friend. Keeping him single is not something you should consider as he would become lonely.
He may do better with a younger piggy so the youngster can’t challenge for dominance. I know it is difficult if you want to end the piggy cycle but he really needs a new friend - whether that is through you adopting another or by rehoming him. Interaction with a human, I’m afraid, is not enough and you cannot replicate all the companionship he needs.

There is no such thing as an albino guinea pig. (Albinism doesnt exist in piggies).
White piggies with red or pink eyes is just a normal colouring. They are as healthy as any other piggy and live a totally normal lifespan.

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...gs-picture-guide-to-common-pet-breeds.121399/

There is however a ‘lethal white’. These piggies are usually blind, deaf, have dental problems and physical deformities.
Is this what you mean - is your piggy a lethal?
If your piggy is a lethal then he may have a shortened lifespan but it doesn’t mean he should be alone.

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/roans-dalmatians-and-lethals-explained.51194/
 
Ziwona77 said:
Hello all!

I thought I will ask for advice here.We recently lost one of our boy guinea pig.We have one left (Coco)which was taken from the rescue place.He is a lovely guinea pig,and we would love to keep him with us .We’ve had 3 guinea pigs before him and we lost them so quickly(older was 3 years old).Somehow we don’t feel that we want another guinea pig,as it feels like it’s ongoing cycle…We want best for Coco,but we’re aware that he might be lonely and desperate to have some company.On the other hands it’s so difficult to let him go to unknown place.He seems to be happier when he is with us,but we can only take him while at home,mostly at evening time.

He is eating,running in his cage,but it’s hard to think that if we decide to keep him,he might never see another guinea pig.

What should we do?Any advice please?

Thank you so much!

I am sorry for your loss, we have two brother piggies. We had to separate them because they fight now. They live in separate cages. But we keep them in the living room with us, do they always see us. And then we have floor time. If your cage is on the floor you might think about putting him higher ( building his cage up one level,) so this way he is level with you so you can interact more. Ours have adjusted well. I hope this advice helps again sorry for your loss.
Click to expand...
 
Thank you so much for all the advice!

Piggies&buns,clearly you have a better knowledge about guinea pigs than any vet has. I thought he was an albino guinea pig,but he definitely isn’t lethal !

Thank you Piggie Nana, I never thought about putting the cage higher up.My friend had this same problem with her boys. She decided to neutered them,and that sorted out the problem.However, I know this is risky and expensive to do.

It’s so difficult to reach a final decision. I would personally consider adopting another guinea pig,but my husband and son have had enough of looking after them.I can see their points.Today is when I said that I would take Coco to the rescue place,but I still can't say goodbye to him.

Yesterday he was playing happily in his cage,running around and hiding…like he never did in a while when Muffin was alive.

That’s when I thought again that maybe he was not so sad alone…
 
Ziwona77 said:
Thank you so much for all the advice!

Piggies&buns,clearly you have a better knowledge about guinea pigs than any vet has. I thought he was an albino guinea pig,but he definitely isn’t lethal !

Thank you Piggie Nana, I never thought about putting the cage higher up.My friend had this same problem with her boys. She decided to neutered them,and that sorted out the problem.However, I know this is risky and expensive to do.

It’s so difficult to reach a final decision. I would personally consider adopting another guinea pig,but my husband and son have had enough of looking after them.I can see their points.Today is when I said that I would take Coco to the rescue place,but I still can't say goodbye to him.

Yesterday he was playing happily in his cage,running around and hiding…like he never did in a while when Muffin was alive.

That’s when I thought again that maybe he was not so sad alone…
Click to expand...

As he isn’t lethal then he is simply a red eyed white which is no different to any other coloured piggy.
Albinism occurs when there is no pigment but that doesn’t happen in piggies. White piggies with red eyes do indeed have pigment.
He will have a totally normal lifespan (5-8 years).

Neutering two boars doesn’t repair a bond between them. Your friend must have got lucky they their fall out wasn’t so bad. All neutering does is stop the ability to breed, it doesn’t change their behaviour.

The thing with a single piggy is that they can appear to act absolutely fine - running about and appearing to be happy - but often what is usually happening is they are transferring their need for companionship onto you and looking to you to fulfil their needs. It’s not they they are not sad and happier to be alone.

It’s a difficult thing to go through. Sending you best wishes
 
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