It’s understandable to want to keep your guinea pigs together, especially if they’ve been bonded for a while. But sometimes circumstances beyond our control lead to our guinea pigs living solo. One such circumstance is if one of the guinea pigs passes away.
Thankfully, there are ways to help your guinea pig adjust to living alone after one dies. However, it’s important to remember that guinea pigs are social animals and love being around other guinea pigs. You may want to consider getting another guinea pig sooner than later.
With that quick disclaimer out of the way, here are a few things you can do to help your guinea pig adjust to living alone after one dies.
The first thing you should do is give your guinea pig some time to grieve. This may mean giving them less attention for a little while as they come to terms with the loss of their friend. During this time, it’s important to make sure they still have access to food, water, and hay.
It can also help to change up their cage a bit. Add in new toys and chewable objects so they can stay active and occupied. Try to provide more hidey-holes where they can feel safe and secure.
A solo guinea pig may also appreciate a higher level of interaction from you, so make sure to spend quality time playing and petting them every day.
Living alone doesn’t have to be lonely for your guinea pig. With a little care and attention, they can adjust well and still enjoy a happy life.
What You'll Learn
Signs Your Guinea Pig Is Still Grieving
It’s not uncommon for guinea pigs to grieve the loss of a cage mate. If your guinea pig has recently lost a companion, here are some signs to look for that indicate they are grieving:
- Lack of appetite: A guinea pig who has lost a companion may go off his or her food. This is especially common if the two were close and spent a lot of time together.
- Lethargy: A grieving guinea pig may become less active and spend more time sleeping.
- Loss of interest in toys and other activities: A guinea pig who is grieving may lose interest in favorite toys and activities.
- Hiding: A guinea pig who is grieving may hide more often than usual.
- Weight loss: A guinea pig who is grieving may lose weight due to the lack of appetite.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to provide your guinea pig with extra love and attention. Spend more time playing with them, offer favorite foods, and make sure there are plenty of hiding places available. With time, your guinea pig should start to feel better.
How Soon Should You Get Another Guinea Pig?
The answer to this question depends on a few different factors.
First, you need to consider whether or not your guinea pig was socialized with other guinea pigs (beside the one that passed away).
If so, then it’s likely that he or she will be more comfortable around other guinea pigs and may even become depressed if left alone for too long. In this case, it’s probably best to get another guinea pig sooner rather than later.
On the other hand, if your guinea pig was not socialized with other guinea pigs, then he or she may not be as comfortable around them. In this case, you may want to wait a little while before getting another guinea pig so that your first guinea pig has time to adjust to being the only one.
The Effects Of Loneliness On Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs live in pairs or groups in the wild. In captivity, they should also be kept with at least one other guinea pig to provide company and avoid loneliness.
Loneliness can have a significant impact on guinea pigs. Studies have shown that lonely guinea pigs tend to be less active and have lower levels of energy. They may also suffer from anxiety and depression.
Lonely guinea pigs may also be more susceptible to illness. This is because their immune systems are weaker when they’re stressed, which can happen when they’re lonely.
If you have a guinea pig that is showing signs of loneliness, it’s important to get them a companion as soon as possible.
Reasons Why Guinea Pigs Shouldn’t Live Alone After One Dies
Guinea pigs need companionship to thrive. When a guinea pig dies, the surviving guinea pig can become depressed and may even stop eating. If your guinea pig is showing signs of loneliness, it’s important to provide your guinea pig with another companion as soon as possible after the loss of a friend.
Another reason you should consider getting a guinea pig sooner than later is because guinea pigs are prey animals and they instinctively know this. When living alone, they are constantly on edge, always aware that they could be attacked at any moment. This constant stress can take a toll on their health and wellbeing.
