Where's Our Guinea Pig Gone?

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Dave7

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Hello Everyone, its my first post and mainly because I could do with some help/advice at the moment and not sure what else to do.

We have 2 smooth hair Female Guinea Pigs that we have had for 6 1/2 years. They have their cage in the garden raised up and access it through a long 15cm diameter drainage pipe. They are free to come and go as they like, the garden is quite big with lots of things to hide under and is fenced all round. They never wonder off, because they know where their home is.

But for the last 3 days one of them is missing! We have looked everywhere and all around. The only thing we can think of is something has taken it? But they are fast and will easily out run a cat.

The other problem we have now is the other guinea pig has lost its companion and they used to snuggle together in their little house/box inside their cage.

Do you think one piggy on its own will keep warm over the winter? Also would it be a good idea to replace the missing one?

I have 2 unhappy and concerned Children who are asking questions and I don't have any answers.

Any help, advice, pointers from the people on here who know about Guinea Pigs would be very welcome and appreciated.
And why do these things always happen at Christmas! (no answer required for that lol)

Thanks, Dave
 
Hello and welcome to the forum. I'm so sorry that you've lost a piggy. It does sound as though a predator may have been involved or that the missing piggy has escaped your garden. For future safety I would think about building a totally enclosed run with a mesh roof etc to stop cats (or round here birds of prey) getting to the piggies.
If you are sure that the missing piggy is truly gone then the kindest thing is to find the remaining piggy a companion. She will be grieving the loss of her companion. If you use the rescue locator it will help you find your nearest rescue who may be able to find you a new companion for your girl. In the meantime here is a thread about looking after a bereaved guinea Pig Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
Hi,
Thanks for the reply and info. I've just noticed I've spelt "Our" wrong in my question title, silly!

I couldn't enclose the remaining guinea pig, she's had the full run of the garden for the last 6 years. It's a big garden but more area covered with sheds, a couple of old cars, piles of wood on pallets, than grass area and plenty of undergrowth.

My Son has since told me he heard loud "squeaking" one night that woke him, I'm guessing thats the point "Biggy" was taken. I'm suspecting a bird of prey. But not easy thinking thats the way she went.

Now the search is on for a companion, from what I read on the link you sent it needs to be quick, But I suspect it will take a few days with Christmas upon us.

Thanks, Dave
 
I've edited your title for you :nod:
The total absence of piggy plus your son hearing squeaking does sound like a predator. Is the hutch secure for the remaining piggy? Bolts are safest (foxes etc are good at knocking swivel catches but can't undo bolts as far as I know).
Good luck finding a companion and let us know how you get on.
 
Hi, Thank you for the edit.

Yes the Hutch is secure, She entres through the tube into an enclosed lower area, then up a ramp, through a small opening into a plastic box full of hay and insulated with polystyrene. The whole thing is then wrapped in a Tarpaulin. The garden is surrounded in 6 foot fencing, but saying that I have no idea if this would deter a Fox. But as I live in a small village surrounded by countryside, I definately need to look into this!

And yes I will most certainly get back to you when I have it all sorted.
Cheers, Dave
 
Sounds like your piggies have an amazing set up with so much space and freedom. Hope to see photos in the new year when you've sorted out a companion
 
I was actually going to post this exact same thing yesterday,I searched all over underneath sheds overgrowth nothing.Then I moved the food bin and discovered the poor mite,he had tried to hide under it and somehow ended up being crushed.The cage bars were the tinest bit moved at the back,did he squeeze through,did something carry him out?just dont know.
 
Hi, sorry to hear about your piggy. I had a work colleague in a similar situation last year. There was badger sightings around the same time so it was assumed the worst. Unfortunately with foxes, badgers, birds (not just birds of prey but also magpies), and domestic cats your piggies are up against some nasty predators.
 
Yes,i forgot about the Badger threat too,although I only have two outside in a heated summerhouse.I was at full capacity inside,someone left them with a note outside my door.So whatever happened was during night when it was closed up,I must look to see if any rat holes etc,there is an epidemic this december they say.
 
I know what you mean, It would be mean to pen that pig up after so many years of freedom, and she sounds like she does know where to go to be safe. I had the same thing happen with some of my ducks a few months ago.


Sadly things like this happen, it's amazing that she had 6 years of a great life. And your kids, though they are sad right now, will be excited to get a new little friend. And if you have my luck, your missing pig will turn up after you get the new one. :D
 
UPDATE.

We now have a new companion for our Guinea Pig, well 2 companions, they are young girls about 8 weeks old now. So cute, thats why we had to have both of them! But so different, one is lively, squeeks a lot and runs around the cage, jumping as she goes. And when picked up runs around a bit like a Hamster would. The other is shy, but still can squeek and run about, but when handled doesn't move atall.

We let them settle for a few days and then brought our Piggy in to see them. The young ones went mad, squeeking and running all over her, they were so excited, it was almost like they thought She was their Mum (Maybe all older Guinea Pigs have the same scent?) But they were so happy.
We put the original one back out in the day and bring her in at night with the others, so far it seems to be going well. But we won't put the young ones outside until the Spring time, by then it should be warmer and they will be fully grown.

The original Piggy has lost quite a bit of weight and looked unwell, but just lately is looking better, but still a bit thin.
I will post up a picture when I can sort it out.

Dave
 
Further Update,

Unfortunately our original piggy "Smallie" has passed away last night. She has never been the same after loosing her companion. The 2 new piggys did pick her up a bit, but probably not enough and she went down hill at the end really fast. We took her to the Vets yesterday and gave her some medicine, but I think She had given up.
Guinea Pigs really do have feelings and are very much like the rest of us. She is and will be missed. Loosing her companion was bad enough, but loosing her suddenly, by being taken by a predator made it easier to take. But loosing a piggy by watching her go downhill and dying is a whole lot worse.

We got the 2 new Piggys to help Smallie, but now do we just keep them, or do we need to get an older Piggy to help them?

Its was funny, the younger piggys would hide and be timid, but with Smallie in the cage they would come out and be relaxed. So I think they will miss her as well.

Dave
 
Yet another update.

A bird of prey didn't take our missing Guinea Pig.
I'm digging a hole to bury Smallie under their cage in the garden, so I move the cage and there under the cage at the back is our missing Guinea Pig, dead of course (it would of been so nice to of said alive)
Something did attack her and that caused her death, but She managed to get away and back to her home, before dying.

I just wish I had looked under there when she went missing and maybe could of saved her.

But at least we can bury them together.
Its not a very good day today.
Dave
 
Dave7 said:
Further Update,

Unfortunately our original piggy "Smallie" has passed away last night. She has never been the same after loosing her companion. The 2 new piggys did pick her up a bit, but probably not enough and she went down hill at the end really fast. We took her to the Vets yesterday and gave her some medicine, but I think She had given up.
Guinea Pigs really do have feelings and are very much like the rest of us. She is and will be missed. Loosing her companion was bad enough, but loosing her suddenly, by being taken by a predator made it easier to take. But loosing a piggy by watching her go downhill and dying is a whole lot worse.

We got the 2 new Piggys to help Smallie, but now do we just keep them, or do we need to get an older Piggy to help them?

Its was funny, the younger piggys would hide and be timid, but with Smallie in the cage they would come out and be relaxed. So I think they will miss her as well.

Dave
Click to expand...
I think you'll be ok with just the 2 new ones together and I'm so sorry for your losses xx
 
Sorry for your losses, one small crumb of comfort is you have closure on your "missing" piggy. :(
 
So sorry for your sad losses. How touching that your original guinea pig died near home.
 
A BIG Thank you to everyone for your kind words and thoughts. It means a lot and really does help.

And BossHogg, you're so right, it felt good to find her and put them both to rest.

We will be making a large enclosure for the young ones in the Spring. As I'm sure once a Predator knows what was in the garden, it will be back. And we couldn't go through this again.

And lastly I feel humble being part of a really caring group of people with one common interest, the love of the wonderful Guinea Pig.

Dave
 
Dave7 said:
We will be making a large enclosure for the young ones in the Spring. As I'm sure once a Predator knows what was in the garden, it will be back.
Click to expand...
Yes to this, they will come back, but it sounds as if you are on top of it. Whatever it is will be foiled :)
I hope your two new piggies give you many years of fun!
 
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