Very worried.

[William&Keith]

Not sure where this post belongs.

William lost Keith yesterday and he's grieving big time.

He 'cried' earlier - he made a whimpering noise that I've never heard him make. I checked him over to make sure he wasn't injured or something.

He's also very quiet, he was always the squeeky one out of the two.

And this evening instead of rushing out for his regular fresh veggies he just sat there looking very sad indeed.

I've been cuddling him and trying to keep it as normal as possible for him.

I also understand that he will be missing and grieving for Keith, I just need to know what else I can do. We've never lost a guinea pig this young. Our first guinea pigs lived until 7 and our other guinea pigs lived until 7 almost 8.

I'm just worried for him

 

[Sarah from Chucklebunnies]

I haven't had any boars, so I am just talking from experience with female piggies, but....

Is it possible to get him another companion? Are there any rescues near you that will try 'boar dating'? It sounds as though William really is grieving, he will need extra attention from you but he will also need additional company. It sounds almost odd or strange, but guinea pigs do need other piggies a lot so he will already be casting around for another guinea pig to be with. He will be looking for company a lot sooner than you would be - if he is acting like a female piggie that is. Having become used to company he will want more.

I apologise if that doesn't help at all. Poor little lad.

 

[hallie2985]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Some piggies grieve terribly - when Sweet William died, Rose was very subdued, and the had a URI, which I'm convinced came on because of her sadness. She drew comfort from my other sows, and has made a complete recovery.

I gave Rosie lots of extra cuddles (pretty much attachment patented, to be honest), which meant that I picked up on her sickness as soon as it became apparent.

Conversely, my Sweepie died a couple of weeks ago, and her cagemate, Sooty, has been fine. She moved straight in with another piggie, though, and I do think that has made all the difference. Rosie is still on her own, but has a gentleman caller (or 4) coming on Wednesday, and hopefully she'll be happier then.

I think you just need to be aware of how Keith is doing, and I know you're looking to get him a friend. The usual advice is to find a younger boar as this reduces the chance of friction, but I'm sure your local rescue can give you excellent advice. In the interim, perhaps William would benefit from something to snuggle with - a safe cuddly toy or similar. It's not as good as having his friend, but he may draw comfort from it.

Good luck.