How can I make my guinea pig happy?

Question

I had two guinea pigs a boy and a girl. The girl recently died of cancer at a young age and the boy has lost his peppiness. We've tried to introduce a new partner for him, but they wouldn't get along. I am constantly holding him and petting him, but he still seems like he is depressed. What can I do to make him happier and more active without adding another pet to the mix?

Answer 1

Look for a neutered male guinea pig.  Or a spayed female.  On Petfinder.com there are lots of piggies looking for homes, including some spayed/neutered ones.  Male pigs tend to get along better with neutered males or spayed females.  Make sure you don't get an unspayed girl for him!  You'll have baby pigs coming out your ears!!

It can take some time to properly introduce two guinea pigs.  You might want to check out the info on http://guinealynx.com for information on how to do this.

Even older pigs really do best with another pig for company.  Since he's an older male, you might also want to consider a baby male or two baby males to go with him (that way, after he passes away you won't have to worry about finding another friend for the younger male.)  Even old guinea pigs really prefer the company of other guinea pigs to anything else.  They are very, very social critters.

Answer 2

give him some time dont get him a parntner just yet wait a bit and give him fresh salad no more than one a day and mix up the thing u put in it. if the guinea is an out side one try bring him inside in a cage and in ur room. wait a while and then try diffrent partners if he seems lonly, take him to ur local pet store to see if he bonds with any of the guineas.

good luck hope that helped =]

Answer 3

1st of all I'm so very very sorry about your lost i know how it feels ive had a Guinea pig lost 2 its like losing your child I think you should give it a little of the girl g-pig picture and hang it in its cage it may sound crazy but it may work good lucko

Answer 4

I'm really sorry to hear about this, I had two rabbits and when one died the other was literally heart broken. I now have another two rabbits, and two guinea pigs. If you want to try and pep your guinea pig up then I suggest getting a bit of pipe (like a thicker bit of drain pipe) for him to run through and climb over. My guinea pigs love this sort of a toy. Also have you tried tickling him under his chin? It sounds bizarre but both of mine love it and start purring when we do it to them!

I hope he recovers soon!

Answer 5

I think you are doing a great job as it is your piggy seems like a very pampered pig and I am sure this has helped him a great deal!  I think everyone has suggested the most obvious options and I think he may well just need more time.  You could try putting a teddy in there for him to snuggle up to, make sure he is in a  area where he can hear and see you and your family not in a room alone make him comfortable sunggley beds to rest in.

Keep giving him all the attention you are giving that's what he will need most.

Answer 6

i dont really know what to say thats really sad. that kinda happened to me i had two guinea pigs they were brother and sister and they were in separate cages cause i didnt want any little babys but the cages were next to each other and they could see eachother and smell eachothers scent and they would even talk to eachother and when the girl died the boy was so sad and depressed he actually died like a week later. if i were you i would just give it as much attention as i possibly could u dont want it to feel too lonely.  

Answer 7

it is very sad i have to say that i will give a good attempt to helping you the male is probably feeling depressed so petting him will be good and maybe watch tv together make sure he knows your there by speaking softly to him and saying his name also try feeding him a carrot whilst petting him just give him lots of company and fuss if he is old it may be his time but i would say keep fussing him and remove some veggies he may feel overwhelmed with them oh and clean out his hutch make him feel pampered get him some nice hay to bed in

Answer 8

i have 2 guinea pigs and i play with them. how? i carry them, give 'em lots of food, i put them on the floor and be free even for just a while.  

Answer 9

Well i have a Guenia pig she is lilly beth and i had two but one of them didnt like me much so i let my friend have her (still see her)And then Lilly was sad and i always cuddle with her but it would help a little....

So i would play with her and if u dont no they LOVE veggies i gave lilly those alot and that may help and hay 2!!

Sorry about ur baby thats really sad....

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