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Original poster

Putting both guinea pigs to sleep?

40 replies

Notmytelescope · 15/01/2026 15:39

One of my pair of 6 year old male guinea pigs is poorly and it’s not looking like a good outcome. He has stopped eating properly, he’s looking hunched with spiky fur. The vet has agreed that more treatments is inappropriate and he just has pain killers. I think we will need to pts in the next few days 🥲

This leaves me a big question about his partner. They have been living alongside each other as neighboars for about the last 2 years after their bond broke down. I am really worried about having a single pig. Unfortunately I am not in a position to adopt more piggies and I think he’s too old to be rehomed now?

Part of me wonders if I should consider putting both to sleep at once to save the other pig the emotional stress of being an only - he’s in fairly good shape though. - although has had teeth trouble and bladder stones…

Has anyone else considered this route for elderly gps?

OP posts:
Pearshapedpear · 17/01/2026 16:03

CryMeASliver · 16/01/2026 22:06

@Notmytelescope I had a similar situation a few years ago but my two elderly pigs were bonded sisters. One got poorly and the other whilst healthy, had cataracts and was going blind.

When I took her sister to the vet, I took them both. The vet was clear that the only option for one of the pigs was PTS. However, they did also gently suggest the other one went with her. The reason behind it was because they were bonded, the other one was likely to suffer the loss and there was a high risk she too would quickly end up poorly. Losing a bonded mate is very stressful for some piggies.

It was not an easy decision but we decided alongside our vet that it was the kindest thing to do in the situation. I’m not sure if I would have made the same decision if they weren’t bonded, but in our case it made sense.

We also have another bonded pair who are reaching old age and I would make the same decision again if it comes to it.

Please don’t get anymore animals if that’s your attitude.

Chefpig · 17/01/2026 16:04

Destiny123 · 15/01/2026 18:49

Had 8 guinea pigs they've always been happy solo with extra cuddles

Are you a mad piggy lady too? 😂

DeQuin · 17/01/2026 16:07

We had our last two piggies PTS at the same time. One was actively poorly; the other hated being on her own (we knew) and had ovarian cysts anyway so likely not long behind. I checked with local Guinea pig rescue people to see what they thought; they and the vet thought it was the kindest thing to do.

GKG1 · 17/01/2026 16:11

ThatFairy · 16/01/2026 20:52

I don't think you should take it lightly to have a healthy animal put down. Please don't do it

I agree. I don’t think op sounds like she’s taking it lightly but I don’t think you should have a healthy animal pts because it may experience some unpleasant feelings.

nicky2512 · 17/01/2026 16:16

Our last piggy ended up on her own and was extremely happy. She was very chatty and never missed the fridge opening!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 17/01/2026 16:37

Part of me wonders if I should consider putting both to sleep at once to save the other pig the emotional stress of being an only - he’s in fairly good shape though. - although has had teeth trouble and bladder stones…

If the guinea-pig is suffering teeth problems and bladder stones then he isn't "perfectly healthy " though.

Guinea-pigs are basically stomachs on legs . If anything stops them eating then their teeth suffer and their guts go into stasis . Older boars are prone to being saggy and risk impaction. So bladder issues and sludge or stones .
They might need regular dental visits for maintenance .
OK , not a reason to have him euthanised but keeping a really close eye with the knowledge that he might need an emergency visit is likely .

Of course if the ill piggie is star-ey coated and not eating he might not even get as far as his Vet appointment . When they go downhill they go quickly .

Bibpot · 17/01/2026 16:42

One of our original pair did pine when her litter mate died. She was close to dying herself as she stopped eating and drinking.
She perked up as soon as we got her a new friend and lived another 2 years.
The new friend has been absolutely fine on her own -active, noisy and loving life!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 17/01/2026 16:47

Chefpig · 17/01/2026 16:04

Are you a mad piggy lady too? 😂

Show quote history

We had eight over 8 years , at one point we had five - pair of sows plus a pair of sows with their 2nd husband - it got complicated Grin . He then married one of the sows in the pair .
The don't mate for life like swans , it's Pigamy for them ( guinea-pig Bigamy )

CryMeASliver · 17/01/2026 17:14

@Pearshapedpear Don’t be so ridiculous. We followed the advice of our vet as to what was best for OUR animals at that time.

Did you read my post? They were both elderly and so our are current pair. We are not talking about putting a healthy baby or middle aged pig to sleep. Kinder to let them go together than have one die because it has stopped eating and drinking due to despair. Honestly, you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t on MN.

Pearshapedpear · 17/01/2026 17:16

CryMeASliver · 17/01/2026 17:14

@Pearshapedpear Don’t be so ridiculous. We followed the advice of our vet as to what was best for OUR animals at that time.

Did you read my post? They were both elderly and so our are current pair. We are not talking about putting a healthy baby or middle aged pig to sleep. Kinder to let them go together than have one die because it has stopped eating and drinking due to despair. Honestly, you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t on MN.

Edited

Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better.

CryMeASliver · 17/01/2026 17:19

@Pearshapedpear I will tell myself what is best for my pets. You haven’t a clue what the situation is or was. Judge away, I care not.

Destiny123 · 17/01/2026 19:04

Haha my mum rescues any animal we had 32 pets growing up. One of the long haired ones we adopted was obsessed with eating her mates her, with simultaneous grass mouthfuls so she always had awful green spikey hair matted with guinea spit lol

Original poster
Notmytelescope · 18/01/2026 19:46

Destiny123 · 17/01/2026 19:04

Haha my mum rescues any animal we had 32 pets growing up. One of the long haired ones we adopted was obsessed with eating her mates her, with simultaneous grass mouthfuls so she always had awful green spikey hair matted with guinea spit lol

I don’t think you understood my OP or this thread. Not funny no.

OP posts:
Paperwhite209 · 18/01/2026 19:54

We lost one of our guinea pigs at 4yo. Her hitch mate adapted fine to being a solo piggy and lived for another 2.5 years.

Isadora2007 · 18/01/2026 20:10

We had sister GPs and she one had to be PTS her sister did start to decline. We contacted a local small
animal rescue who paired her with another widower GP so we gave her to them
sadly… we got photos for a few years more as she lived another 1-2 with her new adopted sibling.

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