Happier Alone?

[Cat24]

I've been looking for another girl to be friends with Sally but I'm concerned. Sally was a lone pig in a petstore size cage for the first two years of her life and she was a petstore pig before she was taken to that home. When I took her home to her C&C cage(2x3) she was extatic. I brought Fluffy home a few weeks later from another friends house who's kids didn't want to see her pass away cause she was going on 4 years (which was when their last one had died).

The girls got along well and everything was alright until Fluffy died about two weeks ago. Now I'm noticing Sally is more vocal, more active and generally healthier looking and acting. She loves her cage(and the newspaper I've been lining it with til I can get some new fleece(I think Fluffy died of a URI but Sally has a clean bill of health) and she's enjoying hte company of my kitten and I haven't seen her this happy in a while.

I don't want her to go back to being shy and quiet again, I love her as my bossy little girl and if she's happier alone then I'm fine with that, just as I am with trying to find her a friend. Any suggestions?

[YANGLiCiOUS]

It's always good to have another companion for them (:
She won't be quiet just because she have another friend - They would be even livelier with one.
I am guessing maybe the pal of hers is too old to play with her? Correct me if I am wrong.
But overall - I think Guinea Pigs still do better in pairs or in a herd.
You could expand the cage to 2x4 instead so they've more spaces to run around - And when they does I am sure they would popcorn more and be more vocal and bossy.

[babytulip07]

I have been wondering this as well. I am fostering a surrender pig, Pepper (female), who was completely on her own for 2 years. Now she is sharing a 2x6 with my two other pigs Eevie and Penny. She doesn't seem especially happy with this arrangement. Everytime Eevie or Penny get too close to Pepper she squeals loudly. They never physically fight, I have never seen anyone bite anyone else, but it is not a happy sound. I wonder if she will get used to the company eventually or if she would be happier by herself.
So I understand what you mean. Hopefully someone will come along and help us out with this dilemma.

[ctinaw]

Eh - well I suppose it is possible that some pigs are more introverted - just like people. But it doesn't mean they would want to be totally alone. I guess I am that way a bit heh. I like the company of some people, I like to be around some people - but sometimes I just want to be left alone. But I'd be really sad to be totally isolated from everyone else in the world - I'd rather be pestered than the alternative.

[Prickle]

I have a similar experiance with a few of my guinea pigs. One in particular Panda who is a sheltie sow used to hang out alone even when she was housed with her 2 full sisters and wheek and cry everytime you passed, following you along the pen

Since one of her sisters died and the other got overly agressive i've put her on her own and she couldn't be happier, though i don't think she knows she a cavy!

Panda spends most of the day playing and following me and 'helping' me do my stuff without a care in the world for her friends. The only reason i could think of for this is that obviously like us and other animals our cavies have particular personalities they like and some happen to Only be human. Panda was raised with lots of handling from birth so she will do un-cavie stuff like climb up your arm for a cuddle or jump onto your lap ect.

Good luck with working out the reason

[Tulia&Susie]

Hmmm this is a tricky one. Some pigs I have heard are like that. But I think what I would do is maybe try getting a younger pig like a baby maybe. Maybe then since it's a younger pig she will want to be all active with the baby and such. Because I think overall unless your pig is super agressive then they should have an companion.

[Cat24]

I think I'm going to leave her as she is for now, I'll keep an eye out for people looking to re-home female gps though and if I see one that seemssuitable I'll consider getting her a friend.

As for Fluffy, she wasn't that old, only 3or4. It's not that they weren't active together, Sally is just more active and happy looking now.

Thanks for you input guys

[Jennicat]

It seems to me as though the pigs that people seem to think prefer to be alone spend all their time following their people around, trying to interact with them, etc. To me, that seems like a sign of loneliness and desperation for social interaction, even with some large creature which obviously isn't like them.

[Cat24]

I dunno, I think some pigs are kinda like people nd prefer not to interact with their own species. Sally hasn't been this happy since I've had her. She loves playing with the kitten and she doesn't follow me around. Also most of the people who've said their pigs prefer to be alone have tried them with other pigs and they exhibited the same behavior.

[Jennicat]

They've generally also tried them with only 1-2 other pigs in a static group setting. There are people I certainly don't like, and if locked in a room with them, would not be happy. But that doesn't mean that I don't like every person on the planet and would prefer to be stuck by myself.

[Cat24]

They've generally also tried them with only 1-2 other pigs in a static group setting. There are people I certainly don't like, and if locked in a room with them, would not be happy. But that doesn't mean that I don't like every person on the planet and would prefer to be stuck by myself.

well most people can't afford to keep more then 2-3 piggies so there aren't a tonne of options without rehoming the loner.

[Jennicat]

I definitely understand that, however, I don't want people thinking that "loner" pigs are common based on a few pigs that don't get along with a small number of other pigs.

[Tulia&Susie]

You could also maybe look out for a neutered male. Maybe that would go better? But just a suggestion.

[Cat24]

I'll keep an eye out, but I dont' know how to make sure the male is neutered and I don't have the cash for that right now if he's not. ....but I'll keep an eye out.

[Tulia&Susie]

I'll keep an eye out, but I dont' know how to make sure the male is neutered and I don't have the cash for that right now if he's not. ....but I'll keep an eye out.

Hahaha ya that would be difficult. Only way I could tell was if the person told me and hopefully was telling the truth. I wouldn't be happy if they told me he was neutered then pop comes babies. But goodluck with whatever happens.

[clotho]

Hi Cat24!! If you decide you want to get her a companion (and I hope you do), check out this rescue: Home

I noticed you are in St Catharine's, so I thought I'd draw your attention to this rescue here in southern ontario. The lady who runs it is amazing. I started fostering for her when I heard about piggies who had been dumped in a garbage bag outside a dumpster in Hamilton!! Can you imagine? There were four girls and all four were pregnant. My Daisy, who I have adopted, was pregnant but she lost her babies before I got her home with me. I am fostering another of the girls who is going to have babies any day.

I just thought I'd give you an option if you decide to go for it. Also, I am certain the rescue would work with you to neuter a boy (cheaper than you could get it done yourself). You would have to email them directly to ask about that. I know there are boys waiting for a home in the rescue, and I"m sure the girl I am fostering will have at least one little boy.