I had two bonded girl guinea pigs but one suddenly passed over the weekend. It was a sudden and rapid decline where she fell into a GI stasis and the vet did not give a good prognosis so she was put to sleep. While I am going to take a little longer to get over her, at the same time I want to make sure my other guinea pig, Pixie, isn't lonely now that her sister is gone. Both girls are/were approaching five later this month (born around Thanksgiving 2015), so what I am trying to figure out is if it's better to get an already bonded pair and introduce Pixie or to get a single piggie and repeat the process in who knows how long. Given Pixie is about five years old, she may live another month or another few years (obviously I hope the latter but I'm also trying to be realistic here given the approximate age expectancy of guinea pigs) so I worry if I get a single piggie it would be stressful to that pig if Pixie were to suddenly pass but at the same time, I worry if I try to introduce Pixie to another already bonded pair it, are the odds in my favor that they won't exclude her? Also, how do I find a good match given that in person stuff is limited due to covid? I wouldn't want to get more piggies and get fights and multiple lonely piggies instead. My cage is currently a 2x4 CC cage. I also have a 1x2 loft I can add on but not using at the moment.
Pixie seems fine but I also have been off work a few days due to holidays but normally work in person during the day so I won't be able to spend as much time with her during the day as I have been and I know guinea pigs are social animals and I want to make sure I'm doing what's best for her.
What is the best option for moving forward?
Thank you,
Molly
Pixie seems fine but I also have been off work a few days due to holidays but normally work in person during the day so I won't be able to spend as much time with her during the day as I have been and I know guinea pigs are social animals and I want to make sure I'm doing what's best for her.
What is the best option for moving forward?
Thank you,
Molly