Loss When to Get Your Pig a New Friend After His Dies?

[Kinui]

Hi all.

Just last night, my boy Gilbert, very suddenly decided to take a trip to the Rainbow Bridge.

My question is, how soon do I get a new companion for Pepper? I don't want him to get depressed but I don't know that I should force change on him too quickly. He has a lung/breathing condition that gets worse when he's stressed and I don't know what the best course of action is. I work at an animal shelter so I could possibly get another pig as soon as tomorrow. There's even one I've had my eye on for awhile.

That being said, in all honesty, I don't think I'm personally ready to "replace" Gilbert so quickly. I think I'm still in shock/denial over the whole thing, which is why I can even write this without crying (though I did quite a bit of that last night).

Anyways, I could just use your experience on the matter.

 

[RandomCavy]

I am sorry you lost Gilbert

because of Pepper's condition, I would get him a friend soon. You would still need to do a 2-4 week quarantine, so I don't think it would be pushing anything on him. Again, I am sorry

 

[pinky]

Depending upon what he died from, I'd have Pepper examined by a vet to rule out illness if that might have been the cause of Gilbert's death. If he has a clean bill of health, I'd consider getting him a friend whenever you're ready. I'd still do a quarantine to be on the safe side. I'm really sorry to hear about Gilbert.

 

[xanima]

I am sorry for your loss.

I would get pepper a companion as soon as possible.

And I think mostly a guinea pig doesn´t really grieve for a dead friend, they are just lonely and therefore giving them time makes it worse rather than anything else.
I only once had a left over pig (they live in groups) and I took her companion to the vet in the morning, when I came back around midday she already seemed stressed and skittish (which she never was before) I introduced her right away.

(And I am probably alone with this opinion, but I wouldn´t do a quarantine if that means that two cavies have to live alone for weeks (not even if one pig had to live alone, actually) but I never really did a proper quarantine anyway, I make sure they come from responsible rescues (where they were long enough to make sure they aren´t sick (and therefore already did their quarantine) and that their faeces where tested for coccidiose)

 

[HannibalLecter]

Change is usually what can prevent depression as it will distract both Pepper & you, either by getting him a friend as soon as you know he's healthy & the other pig properly quarantined, or by changing your routines such as feeding times, lap time, moving things around in his cage more often & more floortime.

Try not to feel like you are replacing Gilbert, you are saving another animal in his memory. But you'll know when you're ready & there is no need to force it.