A year ago I adopted Darcy, a 1 1/2 year old male Silkie piggy. At the time, he was very sick and had previously lived in a small cage, covered in his own feces. He also never ate the right diet or had any attention probably for the majority of his whole life.
I have since gotten him 100 % better and built him a large c and c cage, and he is now a generally happy and expressive piggy! When I was at the veterinary clinic, the Vet even pointed out how he was the most "expressive" guinea pig she had ever seen. He likes to talk a lot and has a big personality.
The reason I never got a friend for him is because at the former home, they had a female counter part that they planned on breeding him with, but they said whenever they saw each other, the female would attack him and try to kill him, so I was hesitant about getting a friend. Also at the time, my mother was very against the idea so I was unable too.
Because I was an online student this last school year, I spent all day with him. On average, I had/ have him out 8 hours a day or more. During this time, he runs around my room, bed, living room, or snuggles with me. He is very spoiled and I make it my job to keep him entertained and loved as much as possible. Whenever I hold him or have him out near me, he constantly talks to me and loves snuggling up by my neck.
So here is where I need your advice, in a few months I am moving to college, and I can take him with me into my single dorm room because he is my emotional support animal ( I have severe anxiety/depression ) I'm wondering if this is ok for him? He has never shown signs of depression before, but I'm wondering if he will if I can't give him as much attention as I can right now. I would still be able to have him out with me for about 5 hours a day, maybe more, but I feel so guilty when I'm not with him. I'm sure the college won't let me get a friend for him, so I'm wondering what advice any of you have for me concerning his well-being and happiness.
I'm currently on the market for a stuffed animal he can snuggle with because I read that can be comforting... Is this accurate?
Thank you very much for taking the time reading this long post, I very much appreciate it.
Katherine
I have since gotten him 100 % better and built him a large c and c cage, and he is now a generally happy and expressive piggy! When I was at the veterinary clinic, the Vet even pointed out how he was the most "expressive" guinea pig she had ever seen. He likes to talk a lot and has a big personality.
The reason I never got a friend for him is because at the former home, they had a female counter part that they planned on breeding him with, but they said whenever they saw each other, the female would attack him and try to kill him, so I was hesitant about getting a friend. Also at the time, my mother was very against the idea so I was unable too.
Because I was an online student this last school year, I spent all day with him. On average, I had/ have him out 8 hours a day or more. During this time, he runs around my room, bed, living room, or snuggles with me. He is very spoiled and I make it my job to keep him entertained and loved as much as possible. Whenever I hold him or have him out near me, he constantly talks to me and loves snuggling up by my neck.
So here is where I need your advice, in a few months I am moving to college, and I can take him with me into my single dorm room because he is my emotional support animal ( I have severe anxiety/depression ) I'm wondering if this is ok for him? He has never shown signs of depression before, but I'm wondering if he will if I can't give him as much attention as I can right now. I would still be able to have him out with me for about 5 hours a day, maybe more, but I feel so guilty when I'm not with him. I'm sure the college won't let me get a friend for him, so I'm wondering what advice any of you have for me concerning his well-being and happiness.
I'm currently on the market for a stuffed animal he can snuggle with because I read that can be comforting... Is this accurate?
Thank you very much for taking the time reading this long post, I very much appreciate it.
Katherine