Teeth chattering when a herd member was fading

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waterfall1

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Hi,

We had a small herd of 4 boars but sadly lost one yesterday. He faded away at home.

During this time I noticed some teeth chattering from the others, which is something they don't normally do. I'm wondering if this could have been a communication to the one they were losing? (Alternatively they might have been telling us off for being left out of the attention during that time) Does anyone have any thoughts/experience on this?

I'd also like to thank you for the guide to what happens when a guinea pig dies, I thought it was one of the most compassionate things I've read about pet loss.

Thanks
 
I’m so sorry for your loss.

You are very lucky to have a functioning herd of boars - 3 or more together doesn’t usually work.

Your remaining piggies will now spend the next two weeks establishing themselves as a trio. You may well see an increase in dominance during this time.

I would suggest you watch them closely over the coming weeks to ensure they remain settled and functioning as a trio. It would be a good idea to have a back up plan in mind to separate into a pair and a single if for any reason they decide they can’t function as a trio now (an outsider situation may occur). With any luck you won’t need to enact the back up plan but it never hurts to have one in mind.
 
waterfall1 said:
Hi,

We had a small herd of 4 boars but sadly lost one yesterday. He faded away at home.

During this time I noticed some teeth chattering from the others, which is something they don't normally do. I'm wondering if this could have been a communication to the one they were losing? (Alternatively they might have been telling us off for being left out of the attention during that time) Does anyone have any thoughts/experience on this?

I'd also like to thank you for the guide to what happens when a guinea pig dies, I thought it was one of the most compassionate things I've read about pet loss.

Thanks
Click to expand...

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry for your loss.

Teeth chattering be an expression of stress, displeasure, disagreement etc. The fading of a group member, leaving your remaining boys with the need to try and establish a working trio - if they can - clearly constitutes a high stress situation.

What it is most definitely not, is communication with a very ill member that has removed themselves from the group to die. other group members, especially the leaders or close friends may come and take their leave by sitting with them for a while or - in the case of an emotional dependence - be plastered to them.

I hope that this helps you?
 
I’m so sorry for your loss.

Welcome to the forum.
 
Welcome to the forum, I'm sorry it's in such sad circumstances.
 
waterfall1 said:
Thanks, this does help. Such an amazing wealth of knowledge.
Click to expand...

Hi

Thank you. Our forum is going back nearly 20 years with literally tens and tens of thousands of questions and personal ownership experience going back half a century in some cases. Unlike with social media, this information is still accessible.

We have also got a very extensive but practical and helpful information resource into which all those questions and experiences have gone. Any of the tips and fads making the rounds have been road tested and have either stood the test of time or more often failed. If we recommend something, we know that it works.
The guides format allows us to update and to add at need or whenever we have time to do so around the forum, our own guinea pigs and jobs and private lives. But you may want to bookmark the access link browse, read and re-read at need.
Wiebke

Thread 'Owners' Comprehensive Helpful and Supportive Information Collection'

Overview
1 Guinea pig species needs and human ownership
- Social needs of guinea pigs and species information
- Family and classroom guinea pigs
- Naming considerations and finding out the breed
- Pet Owners Anxiety
2 Getting, settling in and interacting with new guinea pigs; pitfalls and customer rights
- Where to best get your piggies from and what to look out for in newly bought guinea pigs
-...
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We are of course always here for any questions, little and large. They are all answered in a constructive, friendly way. There is also a friendly lively and supportive community in our various Chat sections. :)
 
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