is my guinea pig unhappy

Question
QUESTION: Hi Jules, my guinea (gnasher) is 6 years old he did have a pal who died 4 years ago i decided against getting another. Gnasher over the past 3 months has lost all his hair and does not squeak any more. I did take him to the vets and was told he was depressed so make extra fuss of him. He still has not picked up he eats & drinks no problem but I have noticed that when I put him back in his cage he puts his head against the side of the cage facing downwards. When he is sitting on my lap he hardly moves and has not made any sound in 3 months. I am so worried about him but like I said the vet checked him out & said he was unhappy but what do I do to cheer him up? I feel as if it is something else. He is cleaned out every other day has toys fresh veg fresh water and loads of cuddles
ANSWER: Sue,

Gnasher is depressed and it is to an extreme. Guinea Pigs grieve the loss of their partners since they develop strong bonds with others as they are very social animals. Sometimes when loosing a their partners is takes longer for outward signs of grief to show. Gnasher is showing outward signs of extreme grief even though it has been 4 years since the lost of his pal. He is very lonely and sad.

To cheer your guy up, be sure to give Gnasher lots of extra love and attention. Try moving him into a more active area of your home. A slight change of scenery might be good for them. Being in a more active part of the house will help him as he will be around you more. Also, consider getting your guinea pig a stuffed animal friend. Most cavies will be fine with them. If he starts to eat or tear it, then of course, remove it. By giving him a stuff animal friend it will be like him having a new friend and will be in away a replacement for the pal he lost and should cheer him up a little.

Take Care now and I hope Gnasher starts cheering up soon.
         Jules

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jules, I have already tried a stuff soft toy which gnasher just ignored, he is also in the lounge area on the dinner table so he can see and hear us all around him. Do you think he would take to another guinea pig and if so what sex and age should I buy or is there a possibility that he may become aggressive. I will do what ever the need be to help gnasher
Sue

Answer
Sue,

Gnasher may respond well to another Guinea Pig. You'll want to get another Guinea Pig close to his age, no less the two years younger them him. I would recommend either a unaggressive male or a altered female Guinea Pig. Either one will be a good companion to him and should cheer him up and back to his normal self again. Gnasher is so lonely now that getting him a pal will not cause him to become aggressive. He'll be more then happy to have a friend and aggression is not even a factor here. If you do go with another male you'll diffidently want to make sure the the other male is unaggressive or he my become aggressive towards Gnasher.

Take care now and best of luck.
         Jules