Advice - remaining Guinea Pig

[Createausername1970]

Sadly, one of our guinea pigs died overnight.

I am wondering about my remaining one. He is 6 and I don't want to go down the route of pairing him up. We have had furry creatures for 30 plus years, but we decided a year or so ago that we wouldn't get anything larger than a hamster in future.

The two of them lived indoors, mainly in one of those large hexagonal canvas dog pens. We chose that as it gave more run-round space than a normal rectangular cage, and we could fit in various boxes and tubes for them to hid in or run through etc.

Now we only have the one, I am wondering whether we should leave him in this familiar larger space or move him into a smaller cage.

He is currently sitting on top of a veg box eating hay, and doesn't look overly bothered by being on his own.

Any thoughts?

[SomersetTart]

I would leave him exactly where he is in familiar surroundings. If he feels the need for a snug, smaller space he can tuck himself away in one of his boxes or tubes whilst still having room for a potter around.

[SouperWoman]

I also have a single older GP. Spent ages looking for a new friend to adopt but actually she’s very happy on her own - she’s in a busy area of our home so has lots of human company. I suggest you keep the old set up so he’s in familiar surroundings and make sure he gets lots of attention.

[Mum2threemonkeys]

i had 2 guine pigs, one died about 8 months ago.. the other one died at the weekend..... i knew he wouldnt be long after the first one because they like to be in pairs but tbh he lasted longer than i thought he would. we kept everything the same, didnt move him or anything.

[SomersetTart]

@Mum2threemonkeys So sorry to hear about your dear old guinea pig. 💐

[Mum2threemonkeys]

@SomersetTart

@Mum2threemonkeys So sorry to hear about your dear old guinea pig. 💐

thank you x

[Createausername1970]

@Mum2threemonkeys

i had 2 guine pigs, one died about 8 months ago.. the other one died at the weekend..... i knew he wouldnt be long after the first one because they like to be in pairs but tbh he lasted longer than i thought he would. we kept everything the same, didnt move him or anything.

Aw, I am sorry you lost your piggies too. It's sad 💐

[Createausername1970]

Thank you all for your comments.

My boy will stay in his larger pen, but I have moved the furniture in the living room to accommodate the pen in there. That's the busiest part of the house, so hopefully he won't feel too lonely. There is usually a radio on in there even if we aren't physically present. So as long as he likes Radio 4 Xtra he will be OK 🙂

[Petalpup]

I think at 6 I wouldn’t be getting another one if he doesn’t seem too upset. We recently lost one of our 3 year old girls and although I didn’t want to get stuck in the endless cycle of guinea pigs I had to find a friend for the bereaved one as she was so obviously sad (stopped eating and drinking and squeaking)
So I think you’d know if yours was sad. Just give him lots of company and salad

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

We had our last three oldies about 5 years ago ( pair of sows who didnn't want to bond with our other pigs ) and the boar who had lived with two wives but was now on his own .
We tried to bond the boar and two sows but one attacked him (we got in before it got too nasty but she was deffo saying "Nope" )
He lived side-by-side so company but safe .
The bolshy sow was put to sleep (illness) and we managed to bond the remaining two . (Which was lovely and worked for them)
When he died , we kept her as an only , indoors (they'd been indoors all winter )
She had her familiar surroundings , DD was alwas taking her into her room.
She got an eye infection and we got it healed , had the all clear at the Vet and died three days later .
This was in a six month period goimg from 3-to 2 - to 1 - to 0

We got to the stage of this is our last piggie and I don't know if she'd have welcomed a new pig . She accepted the boar because she'd been in sniffing and chatting distance for a few years (and he was lovely and missed his wives )


There are places you can loan a rescue on a temporary basis but it must be hard to return them. You;d be borrowung for your piggie to have company .

It's more difficult with boars , you;d need a young boar and you'd start the cycle again as you say .

[Beamur]

I'd keep him in familiar set up and moving to a busy area for company sounds great.
My last piggy was solitary for her last year or so and was very happy. She'd been separated but side by side to the others (who had bullied her) and really liked human company.

[Floralnomad]

We lost one of ours last month and the remaining one , who is 5 seems perfectly happy , we are not having anymore either .

[TheLambtonWorm]

When the first of our boys died we found a rescue for him to pair up with. The reduce take the surviving pig back when "your" pig dies. They did well.during bonding in the rescue but at home the new pig was a bit too dominant for our old boy so we decided to return the new pig. Old boy thrived after that, became a little cheeky boy and spent most of his time snuggled with me on the sofa 🤣

[Createausername1970]

Thanks for all your comments. He was a bit quiet for a day or so, then seemed to perk up and was eating and drinking for a couple of days and was responding to cuddles, but over the weekend he has gone downhill again. We have moved him again in case it was too noisy for him, but I think he is just missing his mate.

We have discussed getting another one, but have decided against it due to his age. So we will continue to try to chivvy him up and tempt him to eat and drink, but I feel this is only going one way. 😥

[Petalpup]

Aw that’s sad for him ☹️. Have you tried cuddly toy/mirror?
I think at his age you are doing the best thing. Dandelions are starting to grow round here now-they are always a big treat and might cheer him up?
I was really surprised at how obviously sad our one was-i didn’t really credit them with that much awareness before to be honest!

[Createausername1970]

He has gone 😢

He was not eating or drinking and was going rapidly downhill. We took him to the vet this morning and all agreed the kindest thing was PTS.

Can't believe they went within 10 days of each other, but they were 6, getting on for 7, so it was a good age for them.

😢

[SomersetTart]

Oh that's so sad for you and your family. It was a really good age for guinea pigs, they must have been very well loved and looked after. Dear old guinea pigs. 💐

[Floralnomad]

Sorry for your loss @Createausername1970 💐

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Aww sad to read @Createausername1970

It's a shock when they go so quick , but when guinea-pigs stop eating they've already gone into decline .They just hide things well.

It's tough to say goodbye to him so soon after the other piggie died but you have to think of the guinea-pig and do what's best for them and sometimes that is to let them go .

When you chop vegetables or rustle a crisp bag you'll be waiting for the Wheek Wheek Wheek and the silence is deafening

[Emily1583]

Without being harsh at age 6 the remaining guinea pig is probably reaching it's expiry date and has had a good life with guinea pig company so if you've made decision to switch to smaller pets from now on I'd say leave it as it is.

[ChampagneGold]

@Emily1583

Without being harsh at age 6 the remaining guinea pig is probably reaching it's expiry date and has had a good life with guinea pig company so if you've made decision to switch to smaller pets from now on I'd say leave it as it is.

Bit late for that now.

Sorry OP. Maybe he picked up an infection/disease from the other one?

[fightingthedogforadonut]

I think indoor guineas do better than outdoor guineas when on their own. My last guinea outlived her buddy by 18 months. She didn't seem unduly bothered - she spent most evenings sitting on our laps munching veggies.

[fightingthedogforadonut]

Oh goodness - just seen your latest post, OP. I'm so sorry!