Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: How to tell if a guinea pig is dying
• Part 2 of 3: How to Make Your Guinea Pig Comfortable
• Part 3 of 3: Coping with the loss of your pet
• Tips
• Warnings

Unfortunately, many small pets (especially rodents) do not live long, so you must be prepared for the fact that sooner or later you will have to leave. As a rule, guinea pigs live 5-8 years, in the absence of serious injuries and diseases that further shorten their eyelids. If your guinea pig is close to death, try to brighten up the last moments of her life.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: How to tell if a guinea pig is dying

1. 1 Assess your pet's behavior. There are certain signs that indicate that the life of a guinea pig is nearing the end. However, changes in behavior cannot provide a 100% guarantee that a guinea pig will die; some animals show no signs until death, while others seem to be about to die, but still live for a while. The following signs may indicate the approach of death:
   • loss of appetite;
   • slow movements and decreased activity;
   • incontinence of urine and feces;
   • less playful behavior;
   • hard breath.
2. 2 Estimate the age of your pet. If your guinea pig has not lived with you or someone you know since it was born, you may not know exactly how old it is. In this case, the age of the guinea pig can be roughly estimated by some signs (and thus understand whether it may die soon). It is best to leave this to your veterinarian. The age of a guinea pig can be estimated by the following criteria:
   • thickened, twisted toes;
   • cataracts (cloudy eyes);
   • tumors and growths on the body and head;
   • joint stiffness, lameness.
3. 3 Pay attention to slowness and fatigue. As they age (and especially in the last few weeks of their lives), guinea pigs lose their former vitality and become slow. If the pig is no longer able to climb the hill and just stands or walks slowly around, this means that her body refuses her.
   • You should always compare the animal's energy level with when it was younger and healthier. Some guinea pigs are lazy from birth; if your pet is one of them, then its slowness may not mean anything.
   • If your pet is overweight, this may be the reason for its lethargy. Monitor your guinea pig's health and nutrition so that it doesn't overeat.
4. 4 See your veterinarian. If you suspect that your pet is sick or injured, or fear that it will die soon, take it to your veterinarian. In addition to the fact that the veterinarian can cure a sick animal, he will assess the state of his health and whether it can be saved.
   • In some cases, an old or seriously ill guinea pig may experience severe pain (depending on the type of disease); If your veterinarian says the pet is in a very serious condition, consider putting your pet to sleep to alleviate its suffering.

Part 2 of 3: How to Make Your Guinea Pig Comfortable

1. 1 Keep your pet close to his companions. Guinea pigs are social animals, so if you have multiple guinea pigs, don't separate the dying animal from the rest. Otherwise, the separated guinea pigs will miss each other, and this will darken the last days of the dying animal.
   • It is possible to separate a sick guinea pig from the rest in the event that it is in pain, or if it gets together, it is mistreated. Make a decision based on your specific situation.
2. 2 Cover your pet. Take a small, lightweight blanket or piece of soft cloth and place it over or wrap it over the pig so that it is not cold and can relax. The guinea pig may be incontinent as its body has begun to decline, so change the blanket in time to keep your pet clean and free of discomfort.
   • Many animals (and people) become much more sensitive to cold as they age and near death, so try to keep your aged guinea pig cage in a slightly warmer place than usual so that it does not get cold.
   • Use a piece of cloth familiar to your guinea pig to feel comfortable.
3. 3 Satisfy the basic needs of the animal. As death approaches, the guinea pig will become very weak and will not be able to eat and drink on its own.You will brighten up your pet's last hours by feeding him from a spoon, dropper or bottle. Use a blender to make a "smoothie" for your pet out of grass, water, and milled food pellets and feed the mixture.
   • Don't force your guinea pig to eat or drink if it doesn't want to. Just make sure that water and food are available to the animal.
   • Make sure that all food you give your pet is thoroughly chopped with a blender, otherwise the guinea pig will have to expend additional energy to chew it (the animal may not be able to do this).
4. 4 Show your pet your affection. You can gently hug or pet your guinea pig to soothe and show affection. This way, the animal will know that you are around, and this will reduce its fears and anxiety. If your guinea pig is accustomed, handle it the way it likes, and be careful not to hurt or inconvenience it.
   • Many guinea pigs love to be stroked on the forehead. If your pet is one of them, do not deny him this pleasure.
   • Pay attention to the body language and sounds your guinea pig may make and respond accordingly. Don't do anything to hurt your pet.
5. 5 Create a relaxing atmosphere. The guinea pig will feel best in a warm and quiet place, not too bright, but not too dark. Quiet, pleasant and natural sounds (birdsong, the murmur of a stream, etc.) can have a calming effect on it. Perhaps, as the end approaches, it is worth leaving the guinea pig alone for a while so that it can peacefully fade away. Visit your pet often and offer food and water.
   • If your guinea pig has a favorite toy or other item, place it next to the animal. The mere presence of a favorite item will calm your pet.
   • Treat your guinea pig as if it were a sleeping baby: anything that can awaken a sleeping baby is likely to be unpleasant for your pet as well.

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

1. 1 Decide what to do with the remains of the animal. After the death of a guinea pig, you need to decide what to do with its remains. You can do whatever you want with them, however, there are certain sanitary standards, and the remains must be kept away from children and pets.
   • You might want to do some kind of farewell ceremony or funeral rite for your pet.
   • Make sure that your behavior does not violate laws and health regulations. For example, you should not bury a deceased pet in someone else's territory or make a fire where it is prohibited.
2. 2 Show the rest of the pets that their companion is dead. If you have other pets (for example, a rabbit or another guinea pig), let them see the corpse of their fellow. Many animals are able to become aware of the death of other animals, and this sometimes helps them cope with the loss more easily.
   • If you simply take a deceased guinea pig out of its cage for good, other animals may become worried or sad about their missing companion.
   • It is not necessary to leave the body of a deceased guinea pig next to other pets. It is enough just to show the corpse to other animals and let them sniff it.
3. 3 Memorialize your pet. This can be done in a variety of ways. For example, a small memorial sign will help you remember your times together. You can perform certain rituals from time to time to pay tribute to your pet. Whichever way you choose, it will allow you to come to terms with the loss and find peace of mind. Here are some possible ways:
   • install a commemorative sign;
   • Tell friends and family members funny stories from your pet's life;
   • revise old photographs of a deceased guinea pig;
   • plant a flower or tree in memory of your pet who left you.
4. 4 Remember that sadness is normal. It's okay to be sad over the death of your beloved pet. You will be much easier to deal with the loss that has befallen you if you give vent to your grief and sorrow. In fact, this process is no different from how people overcome their grief over the loss of a relative or friend.
   • Seek support from friends, family members, or those in a similar situation. Try to communicate less with those who are unable to understand your grief or tend to scoff at your feelings.
   • Let yourself be sad and don't even think that your feelings are "stupid" or "unfounded."

Tips

• If you suspect your guinea pig is sick or injured, be sure to take it to your veterinarian. Even if you suspect that the animal will soon die, this is not a reason to deprive him of medical care, which can make his last days easier.

Warnings

• Never get a pet until you are familiar with the rules for keeping it. For example, guinea pigs need to get large amounts of vitamin C from their diet, as their bodies cannot produce it.