When to stop owning a guinea pig?

[Briellec23]

I had two guinea pigs, Gus and Tilt. Gus passed away just yesterday from what I believe is old age and his cage mate Tilt is about 2 years old. I’m wanting to get him a cage mate but what happens when one of them passes? It feels like a cycle. If one passes then I have to adopt and bond them and when that one passes I need to adopt and bond them with another guinea pig again and again. In this point in my life I am wanting to stop owning small animals after Tilt and whoever his future cagemate will be, I’m just not sure how to.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I'm sorry for your loss.

It comes to us all that we want to stop owning piggies at some point. It’s not an easy decision to make and a lot of the considerations depend on the situation at the time.

When the time comes you have two options :
- approach a rescue centre and see if they will allow you to come to an arrangement to foster a piggy. Bond that piggy with your piggy and when your piggy passes away you return the foster piggy to the rescue to be rehomed.
- surrender your single piggy to a rescue to be bonded with another and then rehomed.

 

[Merab]

It’s a tough place to be.
We have just decided it’s time to take a break as we have a lot happening this year.
Circumstances also conspired to hasten the break.
Micah passed away in January from a cancer leaving Ruth alone. We were just about to go to New Zealand for 4 weeks and are moving into a new home and retirement in July so Ruth went to live with some friends and has happily bonded with their herd.
For us having friends willing to take Ruth was an ideal solution but it didn’t make the decision to take a break any easier.

The options @Piggies&buns has given you are good options too.

 

[Lady Kelly]

It's a difficult decision and one I went through in recent years. I made a decision that the four were going to be my last for a while but what I didn't anticipate is that I would lose 3 of them so quickly and two still fairly young. When I was left with one I rehomed her so she could go live with other piggies for company. It's easier to make that decision in advance of them being left on their own when you have time to come to terms with the idea. This could be an option for you with a new cagemate for Tilt if you aren't ready to take the step to no piggies right at this moment

 

[BossHogg]

I was forever bringing in piggies to bond with those left behind, it got to the stage where I had one little old lady left, we took the decision to keep her on her own and shower her with loads of attention. She only lived for 6 months until she passed but we made sure she was cuddled and loved constantly.

 

[Briellec23]

I was forever bringing in piggies to bond with those left behind, it got to the stage where I had one little old lady left, we took the decision to keep her on her own and shower her with loads of attention. She only lived for 6 months until she passed but we made sure she was cuddled and loved constantly.

That’s so lovely that she was comforted by you for the couple months she had left. I honestly would prefer this if it were up to me that way I wouldn’t get attached to a foster if I choose to go down that route. Thank you

 

[Briellec23]

I'm sorry for your loss.

It comes to us all that we want to stop owning piggies at some point. It’s not an easy decision to make and a lot of the considerations depend on the situation at the time.

When the time comes you have two options :
- approach a rescue centre and see if they will allow you to come to an arrangement to foster a piggy. Bond that piggy with your piggy and when your piggy passes away you return the foster piggy to the rescue to be rehomed.
- surrender your single piggy to a rescue to be bonded with another and then rehomed.

It is difficult as there aren’t many rescue places even remotely near me. I’m troubled because I do want to adopt one from a place that is certified and that will be willing to take the piggy back if they don’t bond and there’s issues. As well as I get sooo attached that even if I did find one to foster I would have trouble giving that piggy up.

Hopefully that decision won’t have to be made for a couple years. Thank you for you input, it is greatly appreciated.

 

[Briellec23]

It’s a tough place to be.
We have just decided it’s time to take a break as we have a lot happening this year.
Circumstances also conspired to hasten the break.
Micah passed away in January from a cancer leaving Ruth alone. We were just about to go to New Zealand for 4 weeks and are moving into a new home and retirement in July so Ruth went to live with some friends and has happily bonded with their herd.
For us having friends willing to take Ruth was an ideal solution but it didn’t make the decision to take a break any easier.

The options @Piggies&buns has given you are good options too.

I’m so sorry for your loss, I absolutely hate when my animals pass away.
That’s awesome that she was able to be apart of a herd, I’ve always wanted one but for long term I don’t think it’s the best idea for me right now. I will have to see if there are any groups I can join even on Facebook just to get in contact with people in my area. Hopefully they can provide me with information about what is available in our area. Thank you so much

 

[Briellec23]

It's a difficult decision and one I went through in recent years. I made a decision that the four were going to be my last for a while but what I didn't anticipate is that I would lose 3 of them so quickly and two still fairly young. When I was left with one I rehomed her so she could go live with other piggies for company. It's easier to make that decision in advance of them being left on their own when you have time to come to terms with the idea. This could be an option for you with a new cagemate for Tilt if you aren't ready to take the step to no piggies right at this moment

Oh that is so heart breaking to loss three piggy’s so soon. I can’t image how difficult that was for you as well as revoking your remaining one. I would like to be a little prepared before it happens so that at least a plan is put in place and I’m not stressing in the moment on what to do. I think I’m gonna see if there’s groups on social media for guinea pig owners in my area. I personally don’t know anyone who has a guinea pig or properly cares for them. Hopefully this will help me create a plan. Thank you so much for thoughts

 

[Lady Kelly]

Oh that is so heart breaking to loss three piggy’s so soon. I can’t image how difficult that was for you as well as revoking your remaining one. I would like to be a little prepared before it happens so that at least a plan is put in place and I’m not stressing in the moment on what to do. I think I’m gonna see if there’s groups on social media for guinea pig owners in my area. I personally don’t know anyone who has a guinea pig or properly cares for them. Hopefully this will help me create a plan. Thank you so much for thoughts

It is really difficult. I was very lucky to have two 5* homes available privately through this forum. The option to visit the piggy anytime has always been there but I have never taken it up. As much as I care what happens to her, it is too painful to think about visiting. I do think having a plan in your mind helps.