leaving guinea pig on own advice

[kazste]

I have a little piggy which hasnt been an issue as either my wife or I have pretty much always been at home so she has never really been on her own so no time to get bored being the only one. But changing circumstances mean that now she will be peft on her own for about 8 hours Monday to Friday. She is 6 years old so not really going to enjoy another pig at this stage in life just wondered if anyone has any advice as to whether she will be okay as I know they can get depressed if left on own, and if not what I can do about it.

Any advice appreciated.

[Nightmare]

Ive had similar worries about my python and whether she gets lonely being on her own. Maybe we could introduce them and they might make friends?

[kazste]

Is that a metaphor or do you have a snake

[Defcon5]

I'm fairly sure a Guiana pig will be fine on its own. Just give it a load of green before you go to work, it will sit there and eat it until its all gone.

This is the kind of question my mum would ask

[kazste]

Dont understand the reference to your mother but anyway.

The reason im asking is that they can get depressed if they spend a lot of time on their own which is why they should not really be housed on their own. On top of this she is used to someone pretty much always being with her.

So after all of this I am asking for advice from people who do leave their pig on their own for what they do to help me make a decision or from anyone with a similar pet who has been in a similar situation.

[bexVN]

It is a perfectly reasonable and sensible question.

I wish I had an answer for you. You may have no choice but to try, you could leave a radio on, leave a toy in its home to cuddle up to maybe?

If they don't work it may not be too late to consider getting amother guinea pig see if a local animal charity is looking for help in fostering guinea pigs, that way you could try introducing one (slowly) and if it doesn't work you can give the piggy back.

Hope that gives a few ideas to consider

[kazste]

Thanks for the reply has given me a few things to think about.

[New POD]

kazste said:

I have a little piggy which hasnt been an issue as either my wife or I have pretty much always been at home so she has never really been on her own so no time to get bored being the only one. But changing circumstances mean that now she will be peft on her own for about 8 hours Monday to Friday. She is 6 years old so not really going to enjoy another pig at this stage in life just wondered if anyone has any advice as to whether she will be okay as I know they can get depressed if left on own, and if not what I can do about it.

Any advice appreciated.

That's so sweet.

[TRB]

Chuck a sock or something that smells like you into its house.

[Nightmare]

kazste said:

Is that a metaphor or do you have a snake

lol, no its a real python. theyd be very close friends. very briefly

I used to have a guinea pig and he was fine on his own and seemed quite happy (lived to 14) but as Bex said...try it and see..i think you'll notice if her behaviour changes much....getting another definitely risky i would say

[The Highway Man]

Mine get left on their own for up to 10 hours at a time whilst I'm at work but I've got 3 to keep each other company.

[vx220]

Just looking into getting frank the guinea pig his own radio as he is on his own a lot

We just make sure he gets a lot of time in the morning and evening (up to an hour before work and sometimes two sessions of up to an hour in the evening, depends on him.)

[vx220]

Defcon5 said:

I'm fairly sure a Guiana pig will be fine on its own. Just give it a load of green before you go to work, it will sit there and eat it until its all gone.

This is the kind of question my mum would ask

This would only help for the first three minutes!!!

Keep changing the cage, food locations etc

[Ekona]

We bought two pigs 4 years ago, sisters. Sadly one died last summer, and we didn't feel like we should get another one as we didn't want to get trapped in a cycle of forever just 'replacing' beloved pets. Sounds horrible, I know, but I hope you know what I mean.

Anyway, that left one by herself. They lived in a hutch outside either in the back garden inside the cat run (during the summer) or in the heated shed (in the winter). We both work, so they were always alone for the vast majority of a 24 hour period, excluding feeding and cuddle times really. Now one is on her own for the same amount of time, and we've not noticed any particular changes in her at all.

She still eats, drinks, sleeps, squeaks, all as much as she ever used to. I guess she probably did pine a bit at first, but they get over it. What I'm trying to get at is that I'm sure your pig will be fine, it's only 8 hours so she'll still be with company for longer than without, and I doubt you'll notice any difference in her.

[axgizmo]

I was in the same situation with my bunny, so I adopted another bun who was of similar age (both 6 years old)

They get on like a house on fire, and its so lovely seeing them cuddled up together, get her a friend

[BlackVanDyke]

Even at 6 it's not out of the question that the piggy might be able to make a new friend - they are very social little critters after all. I think otherwise I'd leave the telly or a radio on, any toys she uses (our pigs never really seemed to bother with anything except doing laps of the run and king of the castle on a cardboard box), and maybe an old tshirt to snuggle into, as it sounds like she gets lots of cuddles.

[kazste]

Right then bit of an update.
This is the end of the first week and she seems to be doing alright, certainly not lost her appetite! She has a ball which we put food in for her and have made sure that this is topped up to keep her active.
She is right up to her bars we get home and still looking for a bit of a play, but she is more hesitant initially to be picked up. Which is more in keeping with the other pigs I have had that need a bit of a chase to get hold of but do lve it when their out, whereas this one normally stays still and even lifts herseof to help you in getting hold of her.
So all in there has been a bit of a change in behavior but nothing untoward so far, may try leaving a jumper if she gets increasingly difficult to get.

Thanks for all the help and have a good day.