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Small pets

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Original poster

Mature guinea age 6 keeping on their own.

16 replies

Lilah2435 · 25/11/2021 08:52

We use to have two guineas, very aware they need to be kept with company, however as our guinea age 6 is very mature we haven't got another as yet. My teenage son looks after her amazingly, he gets cleaned out twice a day, lots of cuddles, he's now in a large hutch inside. However...my son says he cries every night as it hurts him so much she doesn't have a friend.....I just don't know what to do. We didn't want any more pets and if she dies we then get left with another one on their own. I'm in a proper moral dilemma as what to do. Are we cruel to keep her on her own? Advice needed please 🙏

OP posts:
maxelly · 25/11/2021 11:26

Hi, you might want to ask MN to move this over to the small pets board as aware there are lots of guinea owners over there who might be able to help?

It's a difficult one, we faced this situation recently and decided to get a couple of babies as friends for our elderly lonely piggie. Like you we didn't want to get just one as then we'd be left in the same situation when old lady eventually goes, and we are lucky in that we have the space for 3 and can commit to the babies for their lives. The bonding process went very smoothly and everyone seems very happy. If you don't want to get into a cycle of pig ownership then I guess you have no choice but to keep your elderly one on her own, you will for sure get people saying it's cruel and I do think even elderly pigs appreciate the company (and although 6 is a good age she could easily live for a year or more yet) - but equally I think living alone can be OK (if not ideal) for some pigs providing they gets lots of human interaction and have toys etc for stimulation, only you know for your pig whether she seems distressed or depressed...

RattiesAndPiggies · 25/11/2021 11:29

I appreciate this is a really difficult situation.

She could have another 3 years in her. Would you consider sending her for piggie dating at a rescue
so she can bring home an older friend?

Original poster
Lilah2435 · 25/11/2021 11:44

@RattiesAndPiggies

I appreciate this is a really difficult situation.

She could have another 3 years in her. Would you consider sending her for piggie dating at a rescue
so she can bring home an older friend?

It's an option I guess. Do guineas live that long I thought was pretty old for a guineas pig. My dh is really against the idea of getting another one, the work of having her indoors is huge, constant hay everywhere, constant cleaning out but I know it's cruel not to get another one. X
OP posts:
Original poster
Lilah2435 · 25/11/2021 11:46

@maxelly

Hi, you might want to ask MN to move this over to the small pets board as aware there are lots of guinea owners over there who might be able to help?

It's a difficult one, we faced this situation recently and decided to get a couple of babies as friends for our elderly lonely piggie. Like you we didn't want to get just one as then we'd be left in the same situation when old lady eventually goes, and we are lucky in that we have the space for 3 and can commit to the babies for their lives. The bonding process went very smoothly and everyone seems very happy. If you don't want to get into a cycle of pig ownership then I guess you have no choice but to keep your elderly one on her own, you will for sure get people saying it's cruel and I do think even elderly pigs appreciate the company (and although 6 is a good age she could easily live for a year or more yet) - but equally I think living alone can be OK (if not ideal) for some pigs providing they gets lots of human interaction and have toys etc for stimulation, only you know for your pig whether she seems distressed or depressed...

Thank you! She definitely seems happy, she's just had am operation to remove an absess which is why we have moved her indoors! She certainly seems happy but I guess not as happy than if she had a friend.
OP posts:
SE13Mummy · 25/11/2021 11:47

We are currently long-term fostering a cage mate (GP3) for our surviving GP. A local rescue agreed they would take back GP3 if GP1 dies and isn't happy being alone.

Original poster
Lilah2435 · 25/11/2021 11:50

@SE13Mummy

We are currently long-term fostering a cage mate (GP3) for our surviving GP. A local rescue agreed they would take back GP3 if GP1 dies and isn't happy being alone.
That's a good idea, although I know we would probably get too attached.
OP posts:
weleasewoderick23 · 25/11/2021 12:03

I had two piggies, but one died a few months ago. They were brothers and they're now 8. The one that's left seems really happy that he gets all the food and hay now ( and attention) so I won't be getting another.
He looks like he could go on forever!

Pinkybike · 25/11/2021 12:16

We have the same situation, our 5th and last piggy is now in the kitchen and seems quite happy, she is definitely interacting more with us and is alert, eating & drinking well.
She is 6 , we won't be getting anymore so will keep her inside until her end of life.
Obviously in the summer she can still go out in her runSmile

SE13Mummy · 25/11/2021 12:22

DD2 is definitely attached but understands that it may well be in the best interests of GP3. If GP3 is happy as a lone pig, we would keep her but didn't want to end up in an eternal cycle of guinea pigs.

Bagelsandbrie · 25/11/2021 12:43

Do you have a local Facebook community page? Try asking there if anyone is in a similar situation who might like you to rehome their piggy with yours? You’d have to be prepared to separate again if they didn’t get on though which could be a real pain!

trumpisagit · 25/11/2021 12:57

We got our older alone gp a pair of sisters to keep her company. She outlived both of them, but I guess you never know.
I would say 6 is pretty old though and I would keep her on her own indoors with lots of care and attention.

RattiesAndPiggies · 25/11/2021 13:19

They definitely can live that long! I’ve had a few live past 9 although 5-8 is the average. If you really don’t want another I’d probably rehome her personally.

I just spent £900 on one of mine at the vets and I got bollocked for taking her to a 15 minute appointment alone!! They need company really

521Jeanie · 25/11/2021 13:25

@SE13Mummy

We are currently long-term fostering a cage mate (GP3) for our surviving GP. A local rescue agreed they would take back GP3 if GP1 dies and isn't happy being alone.
This is what you need. If you buy another guinea pig, GP1 will eventually die and the friend will then need a new friend. Go down that road and you'll end up still fretting over lonely guinea pigs when you're 90!
Heathofhares · 27/12/2021 11:49

I would contact your local specialist rescue. Ours offered a variety of options for older bereaved piggies. One option is to join their retirement herd if a suitable new partner can’t be found or isn’t an option.

TheVanguardSix · 27/12/2021 12:00

My friend used a mirror in the cage.
The cage was brought into a lively part of the house where their mature piggy could get lots of cuddles and attention. They then popped a mirror in the cage. Ironically, their piggy was happier with her reflection than she'd been with her companion. Grin

Annabelle69 · 27/12/2021 12:27

As zlready suggested, please contact your local rescues who will have older piggies needing partners and can help you with bonding and longer term solutions. Piggies may appear happy alone, but they're not, they are desperately lonely. They are highly social.

Thank you for caring and looking for the best outcome for your pig.

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