We had two guinea pigs, one male and one female. The male we purchased from a pet shop just over 2 1/2 years ago. He was special to us. The female, was older, we got her free from a friend about a year ago. She was quite a bit older when we got her. However, they got along famously and cared for each other a great deal. She died last week, we are fairly certain of old age. However, in the week that followed, our male starved himself to the point that he died yesterday. We tried everything to get him to eat, but he wouldn't at all. Did he die of a broken heart? I know myself and my kids are heartbroken now and we debate if we should get more guinea pigs. Is this common? Could I have prevented it?
2006-11-25 15:23:37 · 11 answers · asked by CharmedMist 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I am so sorry about your pigs. I know how hard it is to loose one. First let me tell you that the life expectancy rate of a G pig is about 7 years. They rarely live longer than that. ALSO.. I learned the hard way that CEDAR CHIPS are DEATH to a G pig. It gets into their lungs and kills them. As far as yours.. it does sound like a broken heart. This can happen. This time, if you choose to get more, get two the same age. Maybe from the same litter. There is nothing that you can do to prevent it. The only thing you could have done is to get another right away. Then you run into the same problem that you did unless they are about the same age and in the same health. I would get more.. kids learn alot from animals.. and learn alot about responsiblity!
2006-11-26 04:18:21 · answer #1 · answered by WestWife 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ok I have never answered a question before so bare with me. My mom and I raise guinea pigs. They are wonderful pets and very easy to love. However, they can very easily catch a cough and be congested due to pneumonia by being close to a drafty window. did you hear any wheeziness or short breathe? Did you give their daily dose of vitamin c? They don't make there own like other animal do.. we have to make sure they get enough thru their diet. and vitamin c drop help too. If they lacked in vitamin c they would look hunch back they often develop a condiction we call malocclusion where the back teeth grow over their tong and they can not eat they slobber a lot and hunch in a corner not wanting to face the world. Go to a guinea pig breeder in your area they will tell you more about this do not go to the pet store looking for answers half of them don't even know about their problem with vitamin c guinea pigs can live up to average 6 yrs and they are very lovable so don't give up they do fill your heart with love.
2006-11-25 17:30:59 · answer #2 · answered by Love2dash 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He may have stopped eating because he was pining for his mate. Guinea pigs are very social animals and don't like to be alone. On the other hand he may have just been ill, no healthy animal starves itself. It is very distressing when a pet you love dies and quite normal that you are questioning now whether you did the right thing. You made the choices that you thought were right at the time, sometimes animals just die especially small ones like guinea pigs. Don't beat yourself up over it.
2006-11-25 22:26:19 · answer #3 · answered by gerrifriend 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
More info is needed. I highly dout the guinea pig died from a broken heart.
What size cage were they in? They need big cages.
What kind of bedding were you using? Pine and cedar are toxic.
What kind of food where you feeding them? They need a good quality guinea pig pellet and timothy hay and fresh fruits and veggies that are high in vitamin c but low in calcium.
What veggies were given to them? Potatoes will kill a guinea pig.
Did you check thier teeth regularly? They continuously grow. SOmetimes guinea pigs can get problems with their teeth and they wont eat.
When the male started not eating did you bring him to the vet??
Guinea pigs have lifespans of 5-8 yrs and can live longer when they are spayed and neutered since guinea pigs are prone to cancers.
http://www.guinealynx.info/healthycavy.html#diet
http://cavyspirit.com/
2006-11-25 15:49:54 · answer #4 · answered by lady_crotalus 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like he died of a broken heart. If he cared for her as much as you say, I don't think that there was anything that you could have done. I'm sorry for you and your children. I would allow them time to greive, and then get another pet in a few weeks if it is something that they and you are up to.
2006-11-25 15:35:51 · answer #5 · answered by mischa 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He was sad don't feel bad, it was just his time to go. Get 2 new baby Guinea pigs - both female.- Make sure to clean the cage very well. You and your kids will feel better with 2 cute and energetic piggies.
2006-11-25 15:28:33 · answer #6 · answered by raz p 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
this is very comon if u seprate things that been together almost there whole life. They know there gone and now they think nothing of there life and become extremly depressed. I am very sorry about your guinea pigs, wish u best of luck <3
2006-11-25 15:29:27 · answer #7 · answered by E M 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it is very common i have a moma pig and a 2 baby pigs one of my 3 babys died and my moma pig had deppression so she allmost died . If you get more pigs (2) if one dies hurry and get a nother so it dosent die or depression and boardoom
2006-11-25 15:29:09 · answer #8 · answered by guineapiglover 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
he might have died of a broken heart or possibly it was sick...and think 2ndly about another pet.
2006-11-25 15:31:03 · answer #9 · answered by alexis 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would agree he died of a broken heart. That's too bad. Maybe in a month or so get more.
2006-11-25 15:26:58 · answer #10 · answered by Mommy911 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋