Solo Piggy Advice

[superka]

So With cookie passing yesterday my other guinea pig is now solo. its not too much change because they had to be separated for a while now. but they were always next to each other and could see each other. she got to see the body so she understands... she was licking her body immediately which she never did before. So what do i do going forth? i cant get another guinea pig i already have too many pets. also she's older, at least 6+ maybe 7 years old, i was thinking maybe getting her a stuffed animal or maybe a stone figure to put in the cage. how well does videos work?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry for your loss

When you get to the end of your piggy keeping cycle it is always hard to know what to do for the best.

Of course you can add one if your wish (safety considerations met), but the reality is that adding a stuffed toy/stone figure isn’t going to provide any social interaction or companionship. Some piggies won’t mind having something in the cage with them, others will pay no attention to it whatsoever.
While human interaction isn’t the same as piggy interaction, it is the better option than a stuffed toy/stone figure from a companionship and interaction point of view. Providing lots of mental stimulation and foraging will also help keep her occupied


Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

 

[Countess Carrot]

I found this thread . It look like there's lots of good advice in it

Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

 

[superka]

I found this thread . It look like there's lots of good advice in it

Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

Thanks was reading through it. I did let her see the body. She groomed her which is the first time I've seen her ever do that.... Maybe I can find a pet shop or rescue that will let my piggy hang out with other piggies around. I found her in the bush randomly so she's pretty anti social and bullies everyone for anything they want or are doing..... Rumble strutting the whole time... But being around might help. Or if theirs a whole crowd maybe shell just fall in line. She's also pretty old now. Had her for 5 years so like 6 maybe 7 years old... Ultimately she's gonna be a solo pig at home from now on.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Having her hang out (if not with) other piggies in a pet shop wouldn’t be a particularly good idea.
It would put her at risk of picking up illnesses if she was able to touch noses with others. But too far away and they can’t interact anyway.
Plus it may be quite disconcerting and stressful for her to sometimes see other piggies and then be taken away from them.

She also can’t physically be put in with other piggies with ‘play time’. Any meeting is a full on bonding session but given there is no prospect of her ever being able to properly form a bond, hierarchy and ultimately live with those piggies then it becomes a very stressful situation.

Actually the older the sow, the less likely they are to ‘fall in line’. Older sows can become considerably less tolerant of new piggies

As she is going to be solo it is probably best to just let her be solo. You give her the companionship and interaction she needs

 

[superka]

Having her hang out (if not with) other piggies in a pet shop wouldn’t be a particularly good idea.
It would put her at risk of picking up illnesses if she was able to touch noses with others. But too far away and they can’t interact anyway.
Plus it may be quite disconcerting and stressful for her to sometimes see other piggies and then be taken away from them.

She also can’t physically be put in with other piggies with ‘play time’. Any meeting is a full on bonding session but given there is no prospect of her ever being able to properly form a bond, hierarchy and ultimately live with those piggies then it becomes a very stressful situation.

Actually the older the sow, the less likely they are to ‘fall in line’. Older sows can become considerably less tolerant of new piggies

As she is going to be solo it is probably best to just let her be solo. You give her the companionship and interaction she needs

fair enough. i have been spending more time with her. she has adapted and has been a lot more vocal then she normally is. also shes trying to get the cats attention more. i put cookies bottle as a second bottle in her cage and she seems to favor it.