Guinea pig has died and am GUTTED!

POPPYOSCAR

I understand how you feel.

My daughter had three but I ended up doing most of the caring. Her favourite one died one christmas eve and I was devastated. I could not tell her until boxing day as I did not want to spoil her christmas.

I would not worry about how he died, with our three one died at about 2 another about 4 and the last one lived until about 7. I was more upset when he died than my daughter was, and my OH bought me a beautiful dwarf lop rabbit that I fell in love with in the pet shop not long after.

I for one do not think it silly to get upset about a small creature that you have cared for and loved.

mammyof7

krlyr wrote: »

Is he/she neutered or spayed? Hormones can make them a bit off-ish and cause issues like cage-territorial aggression. Rabbits have varying personalities but neutering can have a huge positive impact so I'd consider that if it's not been done already.

Also have to agree with those saying that it's best to house them seperately, several health risks to the guinea pigs - injury (accidentally, e.g. playful bunny catches them with a flick of his feet, or on purpose in a fight), different dietary needs causing issues for either species, bordetella which rabbits can carry but can be fatal to guinea pigs. Definately not a recommended pairing.

I don't that the rabbit is spayed. We got her seven months ago from a farm park and it's something I never even asked . However I'm guessing that she Isn't as the male and female rabbits were kept in completely separate pens. They have always got along brilliant and have had a pen big enough so they have their own space.

However hand on heart I really cannot say that she hasn't hurt the guinea. As for food all the animals eat a selection of fruit and veg every night , so we don,t really have an issue with the rabbit/guinea pig food thing.

I don't know what bordetella is but will google it now. Oh god my mind it working overtime now!

tankgirl1

I have never kept piggies or bunnies, but I was devastated when pooch died. I was inconsolable for months, and even now it doesn't take much to set me off again.

No matter their size or species, they are a part of the family, and it is natural to grieve for them.

So sorry to hear of your loss - thinking of you x

RedFraggle

CrazyRatLady wrote: »

As above - it's not a good idea to keep rabbits and guinea pigs together.

They actually have different dietary needs too and buns need other buns. A pair of rabbits would be fine out in the winter providing the hutch was weatherproofed, your local rescue would be able to advise and help with bonding to find your bunny a friend if you wanted to do that.

mammyof7

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

I understand how you feel.

My daughter had three but I ended up doing most of the caring. Her favourite one died one christmas eve and I was devastated. I could not tell her until boxing day as I did not want to spoil her christmas.

I would not worry about how he died, with our three one died at about 2 another about 4 and the last one lived until about 7. I was more upset when he died than my daughter was, and my OH bought me a beautiful dwarf lop rabbit that I fell in love with in the pet shop not long after.

I for one do not think it silly to get upset about a small creature that you have cared for and loved.

I think I'm upsetting myself more worrying about how he died. Its exactly the same here, kids went mad for them (and did love them) but I've been the main carer. I never thought it would be so upsetting to lose one.

mammyof7

RedFraggle wrote: »

They actually have different dietary needs too and buns need other buns. A pair of rabbits would be fine out in the winter providing the hutch was weatherproofed, your local rescue would be able to advise and help with bonding to find your bunny a friend if you wanted to do that.

Our previous rabbit was originally one of a pair, we lost the last one earlier this year. They had a snuggly weatherproofed hutch and the oldest one was about 7 when we had to have her put down. Another pet is not something I will think about for a long time, but thanks to everyone for giving me much to think about.

krlyr

mammyof7 wrote: »

I don't that the rabbit is spayed. We got her seven months ago from a farm park and it's something I never even asked . However I'm guessing that she Isn't as the male and female rabbits were kept in completely separate pens. They have always got along brilliant and have had a pen big enough so they have their own space.

However hand on heart I really cannot say that she hasn't hurt the guinea. As for food all the animals eat a selection of fruit and veg every night , so we don,t really have an issue with the rabbit/guinea pig food thing.

I don't know what bordetella is but will google it now. Oh god my mind it working overtime now!

Guinea pigs can't produce their own Vitamin C so it's important to feed a food that contains it. Not sure if adequate levels can be provided with just fresh fruit and veg. Rabbits can eat guinea pig food but it's not ideal and they shouldn't really have access to a dry food 24/7 either, they should get a small daily serving to encourage them to eat lots of hay inbetween.
An unspayed female rabbit could definately be deemed unsociable! Her hormones will be a major contributor here and I would really recommend you get her spayed. If not for the behavioural issues than for the health issues, an unspayed rabbit will be at high risk of uterine and other related cancers. I imagine you'll find a huge improvement in her behaviour if you had her spayed.

Blackpool_Saver

I am no rabbit expert but would it also be better for it in its own cage? maybe it would be more sociable then, perhaps it likes it's space, I hope you love the rabbit as much as the guinea, sorry don't mean to offend

Blackpool_Saver

krlyr wrote: »

Guinea pigs can't produce their own Vitamin C so it's important to feed a food that contains it. Not sure if adequate levels can be provided with just fresh fruit and veg. Rabbits can eat guinea pig food but it's not ideal and they shouldn't really have access to a dry food 24/7 either, they should get a small daily serving to encourage them to eat lots of hay inbetween.
An unspayed female rabbit could definately be deemed unsociable! Her hormones will be a major contributor here and I would really recommend you get her spayed. If not for the behavioural issues than for the health issues, an unspayed rabbit will be at high risk of uterine and other related cancers. I imagine you'll find a huge improvement in her behaviour if you had her spayed.

Yes my piggies get lots of special food and vit c high foods, they are ruined !!

annie12

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

My feeling is all animals should be inside it is way too cold now. I lost an 8 year old guinea pig not long ago, we were very upset, she was a part of our lives. She is buried in the garden.

Our bunnies have their own shed with a radiator.