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Original poster

Guinea pig owners, I have a question for you.

19 replies

GuineaPigEnthusiast · 01/08/2025 08:30

(Thank you, this question is for people with guinea pig knowledge/experience only as gpigs are heard animals and can't be considered like other pets)

I have two piggies. They were part of a trio of brothers and one passed away two years ago.

Another of the boys has gone seriously down hill over the past three days and I know I will ask the vet to put him to sleep today, if I can get an appointment. They are both 6 years old.

My question is about the third pig. We are in a different place that when we first got the pigs, the children are young teens and will be very sad that these have passed, but definitely don't make the same effort with the pigs anymore, so I won't be getting anymore.

I do not want to have one lonely elderly guinea pig, I don't want to put him through the hassle of going to another home to a new boy that he might fight with. And I definitely am not getting anymore pigs. I think the kindest thing to do is put him to sleep as well, but he seems so well in himself (probably in comparison to his sick brother) that I feel really bad about the decision. At their age it's highly unlikely he has another year in him.

Any thoughts, what would you do?

OP posts:
Myfridgeiscool · 01/08/2025 08:32

I had an elderly Guinea pig that ended up living very happily on his own. He was absolutely fine.
I have a friend who breeds Guinea pigs and she absolutely agreed that he was very happy doing this.

CucumberBagel · 01/08/2025 08:33

I would keep him as an only and see how he goes, or rehome him. I’d be shocked if any vet would put a healthy pig to sleep.

TippledPink · 01/08/2025 08:33

When I had one left my friend took her in with her harem for retirement. You could see if someone else is in the same situation and has a male needing company? I don't think you should put him to sleep when he is healthy.

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Illbefinejustbloodyfine · 01/08/2025 08:34

The endless guinea pig cycle. Id try him on his own to start with. Sorry your other piggie isn't well

Original poster
GuineaPigEnthusiast · 01/08/2025 08:36

Illbefinejustbloodyfine · 01/08/2025 08:34

The endless guinea pig cycle. Id try him on his own to start with. Sorry your other piggie isn't well

This is the thing, if we were planning more, I'd just get him a young friend and hope for the best. Possibly a neutered female, but it just seems horrible having him sit alone in his cage. They weren't babies when we got them and had missed the window for them to be handled as babies so they're not overly interested in us. I don't think we'll be a suitable replacement for a friend.

OP posts:
Original poster
GuineaPigEnthusiast · 01/08/2025 08:38

He was actually the ill one back in March and required nearly a month of eye treatment and meds which I felt really terrible administering on an old pig. It's so shit when animals get old.

OP posts:
Original poster
GuineaPigEnthusiast · 01/08/2025 08:39

TippledPink · 01/08/2025 08:33

When I had one left my friend took her in with her harem for retirement. You could see if someone else is in the same situation and has a male needing company? I don't think you should put him to sleep when he is healthy.

Was he neutered or safe at a certain age? Mine aren't as they have only lived with other males.

OP posts:
Original poster
GuineaPigEnthusiast · 01/08/2025 08:40

Nevermind, you said HER!

OP posts:
CarelessWispah · 01/08/2025 08:41

Have a look at guinea pig rehoming, Neville’s Nest is great and will be able to give you advice even if they cannot take your pig. I know it seems hard on them but apparently they adapt very quickly to a new home. But like you we will end the piggie cycle when down to one, and take our remaining wheeker to the Nest for their next home.

Laughandleaveit · 01/08/2025 08:44

Had the same situation and removed mine to someone who had one guinea pig left too. Found it really upsetting to let them go but thought it was the best for through GP.
Equally though have seen a lone GP live for years but they had a lot of attention given to them
I think it's ok for them to be a lone GP but they do need a lot of attention/cuddles.
The alternative is to keep them but monitor them closely for signs of loneliness, not eating etc, (obviously).
Sorry that you're having to do this today. It's rough as a pet owner having to make this decision but kind if they're unwell. Thinking of you.

Original poster
GuineaPigEnthusiast · 01/08/2025 08:45

CarelessWispah · 01/08/2025 08:41

Have a look at guinea pig rehoming, Neville’s Nest is great and will be able to give you advice even if they cannot take your pig. I know it seems hard on them but apparently they adapt very quickly to a new home. But like you we will end the piggie cycle when down to one, and take our remaining wheeker to the Nest for their next home.

Edited

It's a shame they're in Leicester or I'd ask what they think about taking him. I'll have a look and see if there are some nearby to me like that.

OP posts:
CarelessWispah · 01/08/2025 08:47

Fingers crossed, and I’m sorry you have to say goodbye to your other piggie.

MargoLivebetter · 01/08/2025 08:49

We had two pairs of guinea pigs and each time ended up with one in the pair that far outlived the other. One lived another two years on its own and the last one lived until it was 8 and did 3 years on its own. They seemed very content and happy by themselves. They were much loved, so maybe we were their surrogate pack!

ConflictofInterest · 01/08/2025 08:53

We've had one elderly one on their own after the deaths of their siblings and they became very needy and affectionate with us but lived quite happily for the rest of its life (another 6 months). They need social interaction but you can fill some of that need, especially with an older piggy who will be resting more than playing. Do you have him indoors? If not I would bring him in so he can get plenty of incidental interaction. And a nice cushion so he could sit with you and watch TV, mine loved a cuddle in the evenings.

PrincessofHyrule · 01/08/2025 08:59

We had three - a boar and two females. Can't remember which were neutered (we got them from a shelter). Boar died first, elder female about 6 months after. The final female perked up considerably when older female died. They'd both seemed a bit listless when they lost the boar - they'd generally just followed him about, so they seemed to lose purpose. When elder female died, younger got chatty and inquisitive again. Lived over another year quite happily on her own. So I'd say just watch and see.

My intention had been to give last one away if she seemed lonely to stop the endless cycle.

Original poster
GuineaPigEnthusiast · 01/08/2025 09:01

They're indoor piggies and I think the decision would have been easier if they were more people orientated. The healthy gp was the least interested in us as well, bit of a biter but we always found it kind of weirdly endearing 😬

When we first got them we had an elderly cat who would sit and watch them in their open top c&c cage. They would come to the cage wall and boop her. Then she passed away and we got our current cat who spent so much time trying to eat them that we had to put them in a traditional cage and move it up so she couldn't reach. I wish she was less of an arse because they could be friends!

OP posts:
zibazee · 01/08/2025 09:19

Try to find if someday is looking for company or contact Guinea pig rescues.

we had three females and one died in June. They are four years old. We are looking for a new friend for those two and I am planning to contact gp rescue.

CrotchetyQuaver · 01/08/2025 09:25

Our last piggie lived very happily on his own for about 18 months. His friend died, we sent him to a friend with an old rabbit whose companion had also died and he was happy there and they got on well together. He came back home when the rabbit died and Stuart our guinea pig lived about another 6 months or so before he went. Sadly I fear not very peacefully from a heart attack during a heavy thunderstorm directly overhead.

you can try him on his own and see how he gets on? I think Stuart was nearly 7 when he died, so lived much longer than expected.

CrushingOnRubies · 01/08/2025 16:18

Myfridgeiscool · 01/08/2025 08:32

I had an elderly Guinea pig that ended up living very happily on his own. He was absolutely fine.
I have a friend who breeds Guinea pigs and she absolutely agreed that he was very happy doing this.

This is what we did… she ended up living a couple more years. I think she quite liked being the only piggie on the house. All the extra attention but she also liked her own space

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