Single Piggie

dyzni

dyzni

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Aug 31, 2009
Messages
221
Reaction score
2
Points
195
Location
Havant, Hampshire
Hi all. I’ve not been on the site for a very long time but I’m after some advice please.
Do you think it is unfair/cruel to keep a piggie on her own?
I am in the situation where I don’t want to take on any more piggies having had them for the last 12 years but have recently lost two elderly ones leaving a 4 year old on her own. She is eating and drinking but is quieter than usual. I did email a rescue centre for advice but have not had a response and unfortunately no answer when I tried to call them. Has anyone been in this situation and had a piggie that adjusted well to being on their own ?
Any thoughts would be appreciated
 
dyzni said:
Hi all. I’ve not been on the site for a very long time but I’m after some advice please.
Do you think it is unfair/cruel to keep a piggie on her own?
I am in the situation where I don’t want to take on any more piggies having had them for the last 12 years but have recently lost two elderly ones leaving a 4 year old on her own. She is eating and drinking but is quieter than usual. I did email a rescue centre for advice but have not had a response and unfortunately no answer when I tried to call them. Has anyone been in this situation and had a piggie that adjusted well to being on their own ?
Any thoughts would be appreciated
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Sorry for the loss of your two elderly piggies.

I've not been in your situation,as I've always been happy to find a new companion when one of my piggies died, but I believe a few folk on here have had solo pigs for similar reasons. So long as your 4 year old isn't acutely pining (which it sounds like she isn't) I'd say you can take your time to get answers to the question as to whether pigs can adjust well to being on their own. Though piggies are generally better, more active, vocal etc with other pigs around, I wouldn't say it was 'cruel' to keep her solo if she is otherwise loved and cared for.
 
Honest answer, I do think it's unfair to keep a piggy on their own if it can be avoided. I understand your situation, I recently lost one of my pigs, leaving a 6 and a half year old sow on her own. I went back and forth about whether or not I should get another one as I didn't know if I'd want a constant cycle of piggies. Beans went quiet and wasn't as active after being on her own. She wasn't acutely pining but she was clearly lonely, even though I spent lots of time with her it just isn't the same as a piggy friend.

After about 6 weeks I just couldn't stand seeing her on her own anymore, she was so sad looking. I didn't feel it was fair, a guinea pig wouldn't choose to live on their own if they had a choice in the matter.

After bonding her with a new baby piggy, Beans honestly has a new lease of life, she's so happy and active again and it breaks my heart to think of how sad she must have been on her own. I don't mean to make you feel bad, I do understand where you're coming from as I also thought maybe she's be okay on her own, but I feel that guinea pigs should have company of their own kind. Its even illegal in some countries to keep them on their own. Perhaps try bonding her with another elderly pig if you're not keen on having pigs for years to come? X
 
Thanks for the replies. I definitely do not want to start the piggie cycle again so it’s what do I do for the best?
Let’s see if anyone else contributes to this thread x
 
If you're definitely not wanting any more pigs your only option is to keep her on her own, or give her to a rescue where she could be bonding with another pig for company
 
As much as I love her I would seriously consider rehoming if it were in her best interest. I hasten to add I have NEVER given up a fur baby before, I believe that when you choose to have an animal it is for life. That is why I am on here asking for advice as I seem to be unable to get In contact with anyone at the rescue (wheeks and squeaks)
 
dyzni said:
As much as I love her I would seriously consider rehoming if it were in her best interest. I hasten to add I have NEVER given up a fur baby before, I believe that when you choose to have an animal it is for life. That is why I am on here asking for advice as I seem to be unable to get In contact with anyone at the rescue (wheeks and squeaks)
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Please don't feel like anyone is judging you at all. We do what's best for our piggies you obviously love your pig or you wouldn't be asking for advice. I also considered giving Beans to a rescue because I couldn't face getting more pigs after losing Toast and I felt it would be better for beans to have company than be with me on her own. You have to do what feels right
 
I got my two sows from a wonderful rescue in Crawley called Palace piggies rescue. I highly recommend them.,easy train journey from Havant too. (I live in Petersfield).

You could ask if you could foster a companion which would then go back to the rescue once your sow passed on? Not a choice that everyone could make but worth considering.

Best of luck.
 
I was just going to suggest exactly what @flowerfairy said. If a rescue would let you foster, then when the time comes, return the piggy to the rescue. You won't then feel like you're 'giving up' a piggy, as you would have that understanding from the beginning, as would the rescue. I thing someone posted before that this is common practice in some other countries.
 
flowerfairy said:
I got my two sows from a wonderful rescue in Crawley called Palace piggies rescue. I highly recommend them.,easy train journey from Havant too. (I live in Petersfield).

You could ask if you could foster a companion which would then go back to the rescue once your sow passed on? Not a choice that everyone could make but worth considering.

Best of luck.
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I forgot this could be an option!
 
That's a good idea from @flowerfairy . Another rescue near you listed on here is Worthing GPR. Perhaps Wheeks and Squeaks is so snowed under they haven't been able to answer your email. I hope one of the rescues is able to help you soon, anyway.
 
When the rescue eventually answers why not ask if you can do a long term foster. This would be getting another guinea pig bonded with yours with the proviso that they would go back when yours was no longer with you. Only problem with this is that once you have them a couple of weeks you can't give them up x
 
Struggling with posting here, so 2 separate posts
She was snuggled up to it earlier so hopefully not feeling so lonely x
 
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