What to do with single Guinea...

[AlphaAlpha]

.... when we go away.

We have one boar, his hutch mate (dominant) sadly died 6 months ago. They were outside Guineas (garage/hutch/run) but now gusgus is an indoor piggie and very happy indeed. Lots of cuddles, more vocal and eating well. He's coped really well on his own.
We will be away over Easter for a week and previously when we had 2 piggies they would go to a local Cattery which catered for piggies/bunnies too. Outside hutches.
I'm in a quandary as to what will be best for him, now he's a pampered indoor pig!
We could send him to the Cattery or there is a local pet sitting service that will do daily visits, poo pick, clean and feed. And we could leave the radio on like we normally do when we go out... (yes really!)

I just don't know what to do for the best really, looking for opinions please.

Our local Guineapig rescue offers holiday boarding and they are lovely and only for a small donation to the rescue or the foster mums like myself offer to take in piggies while their owners are away if the rescue is full. It might be worth a check in your local area. Hope this helps.

We do have a rescue place about 15 miles away, they were pretty over run when I last spoke to them about potentially rehoming our gusgus but it's worth a shot, thanks! I think I know that really he should stay home but I worry he'll be lonely!

Definitely speak to a local rescue - they may even be able to bond him with a new friend while you are away

So you have a local teen who'd like to earn a few quid guinea sitting? When I go away I use a reliable trust for this (for my chickens). Cheaper than pet sitting and they get cash win win.

Take him with you 😍

Are you on nextdoor.com?
I saw a request in our local area for someone to housesit their dog or recommendations for places nearby that do it. You might find some doggy daycare type places mind small animals too.

@AwkwardPaws27 nope not falling into that hence why he's on his own now - no more piggies!

@ShineTogether not sure he'd get through security at the airport 😂
He couldn't play dead if he tried, always a nose out twitching for food!

I forgot to add that he has the occasional stinky poo impaction issue, which is the grossest job to sort out so would need someone with a keen eye for a butt full of poop.
Think I've just talked myself into the pet sitter.... 😂

Guinea pigs are highly social. We tend to humanise them by saying "they look OK alone". They're not, they get depressed without a mate in the same way we would in solitary.

Speak to your local Rescue, they often get singles and can advise and help with bonding with another lonely pig.

Good luck