Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Recognize when your guinea pig is dying
• Part 2 of 3: Providing comfort to your guinea pig
• Part 3 of 3: Dealing with the loss of your pet
• Tips
• Warnings

Unfortunately, many small pets (especially rodents) do not live long. So you have to be prepared that you will eventually have to say goodbye. Guinea pigs usually live for 5 to 8 years, provided they do not suffer serious injury or illness. As your guinea pig is nearing the end of its life, there are a number of things you can do to help make its last days as comfortable as possible.

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Part 1 of 3: Recognize when your guinea pig is dying

1. Evaluate your guinea pig's behavior. There are a number of signs that your guinea pig is nearing its end. However, there are no behavioral traits that indicate 100% certainty that your guinea pig is dying. Some guinea pigs don't show anything at all, while others give the appearance that they are dying and then live for a long time. Some of the signs are:
   • Loss of appetite
   • Slow movement or lack of activity
   • Incontinence
   • Less playful behavior
   • Difficulty breathing
2. Estimate his age. Unless you've had the guinea pig since birth (or got it from someone who had it since birth), chances are you're not sure how old it is. Signs of aging become apparent at certain points in the guinea pig's life and thus can be used to make a rough estimate of its age (thus giving an indication of how close to the end the guinea pig is). This is best done by a vet. Signs of aging include:
   • Thickened, twisted toes
   • Cataract (cloudy eyes)
   • Tumors / lumps on the body or head
   • Joint stiffness / limping
3. Notice slowness and fatigue. As your guinea pig gets older (and especially in the last few weeks of its life), it may be less agile and slower to move. Once he can no longer climb slopes or stand or walk around, that is a sign that his body is giving up.
   • Always keep an eye on your pet's energy level and compare it to what it was like when he was younger and healthier. Some guinea pigs have always been lazy, if your guinea pig is then its slowness may not be an indication of the end of its life.
   • If your guinea pig is overweight, this may cause fatigue. Keep your pet healthy by monitoring their food intake and rewards and keeping them at a healthy level.
4. Go to a vet. If you suspect your guinea pig is sick or injured, or if you think it is dying, get it medical attention. In addition to providing potentially life-saving treatment, a veterinarian can give you a professional opinion regarding your pet's well-being and what can be done for him.
   • In some cases, an old or incurably ill guinea pig can cause a lot of pain (depending on the nature of the condition). If the vet tells you this is the case with your pet, consider whether it would be more humane to put him to sleep.

Part 2 of 3: Providing comfort to your guinea pig

1. Keep him close to his buddies. Guinea pigs are social orphans, so if you have more than one, don't take them apart if one is dying. This could make both animals anxious and sad and of course that is the last thing you want for the guinea pig that is nearing its end.
   • It may be a good idea to separate the guinea pigs if they are in a lot of pain or if the other guinea pigs want to play rough. You will have to make this assessment yourself, considering the situation.
2. Wrap him up. Placing a small, lightweight blanket or piece of soft fabric over your guinea pig, or wrapping it around it, will keep it from getting cold and help it relax. Your guinea pig may become incontinent when its body starts to fail, so change the blanket regularly to keep your pet clean and comfortable.
   • Many animals (and humans) are much more sensitive to cold as they age and die. Keeping your guinea pig's habitat slightly warmer than normal can therefore significantly improve its comfort.
   • Use a material or cloth that your guinea pig is familiar with to reinforce its ease in the situation.
3. Help him with the basic needs. A dying guinea pig will become very weak as it approaches death and will no longer be able to eat or drink on its own. You can make his death less uncomfortable by watering him with a spoon, squirt, or water bottle. Mix a guinea pig smoothie which contains hay, water and crushed pellets and feed him this.
   • Don't force your guinea pig to eat or drink if it doesn't want to. The goal is to make these things accessible only when he can no longer do it himself.
   • Make sure everything you feed your guinea pig has been well ground so that it doesn't have to spend a lot of energy chewing it (which it may not be able to do at all).
4. Show affection. You can gently hug or pet your guinea pig to put it at ease and show affection. This will help him recognize that he is not alone, reducing any anxiety he may have. When holding him, do it in a way that you know he likes and so that he doesn't experience any unnecessary pain or discomfort.
   • Many guinea pigs like to be stroked gently on their foreheads. If you know your pet likes this, do it while it is dying.
   • Pay attention to any body language and sounds your guinea pig expresses and adjust your physical contact with him accordingly. Do not do anything to hurt your pet.
5. Provide a calm atmosphere. Your guinea pig will be most comfortable in a warm, quiet area with lighting that is neither too bright nor too dim. Soft, pleasant, natural sounds (such as birds singing or a babbling brook) can reassure him. It's probably best to give him some space towards the end so he can fall asleep peacefully. Do check with him often to provide food and water.
   • If there is a specific toy or other object that your guinea pig is particularly fond of, place it next to him. The presence of things he loves can give your pet a sense of calm.
   • Treat your dying guinea pig as you would a baby. Anything that can wake a sleeping baby is likely to be uncomfortable for your pet too.

Part 3 of 3: Dealing with the loss of your pet

1. Decide what to do with the remains. You will need to choose a method of disposal for the remains if your guinea pig has died. You can do whatever you want as long as it is hygienic and the leftovers are kept away from children and other pets.
   • Incorporating a memorial or funeral ritual for your guinea pig can help you in the grieving process.
   • Make sure that the way you handle the remains does not violate health laws / regulations. For example, please do not grave on someone else's property and do not light a fire where it is not allowed.
2. Show any other pets that your guinea pig has died. If your guinea pig had a buddy (such as a rabbit or other guinea pig), the body should be seen by the living pets. Many animals can recognize when another animal has died and this sometimes seems to help them deal with the situation.
   • If you take your dying guinea pig out of its cage and never return it, the other pets may become anxious because their buddy has "left" them.
   • There is no need to leave the body of the deceased guinea pig alone with the surviving animals. Showing the guinea pig's body and giving them a little sniff should be enough.
3. Commemorate your guinea pig. This can be done in various ways. A pet memorial, in any form, helps to acknowledge your pet's death while also celebrating its life. These rituals can be separate events, but they can also be performed on a regular basis to honor your deceased guinea pig. Whatever you choose, it should be something that will bring you peace of mind. Some suggestions are:
   • Have a funeral for your pet.
   • Share funny stories about your pet with friends and family.
   • View old photos of your pet.
   • Plant a flower or tree as a reminder.
4. Recognize that grief is natural. It is completely normal and healthy to grieve about the loss of a beloved pet. You will be able to cope with the loss of your guinea pig much better if you allow yourself to feel the emotions that come with losing a loved one. This process is no different from the loss of a human family member or friend.
   • Seek support from friends, family members, or groups of people who are going through a similar situation. Avoid people who can't understand your grief or who are in some way downplaying your feelings.
   • Allow yourself to be sad and don't think that your feelings are "silly" or "unjustified".

Tips

• Always take your guinea pig to a vet if you suspect it is sick or injured. Suspicion that he is nearing his end is no reason to deny him medical attention if it can make him feel more comfortable.
• If your guinea pig is wheezing, it may be lacking attention. Make sure to give your guinea pig your full attention whenever possible.
• If your guinea pig purrs, he may be angry with you or one of his buddies. Feed him when he shot you. It will give him some time to cool down.

Warnings

• Never adopt a pet until you familiarize yourself with the animal's specific needs. Guinea pigs, for example, need a lot of vitamin C in their diet because they cannot produce it themselves.