Anyone know if they can sense depression in their owners?

Laura_Deakin

Laura_Deakin

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I have depression and I’ve been feeling really down the last few weeks, just wondered if anyone knew if piggies can sense when you’re feeling sad? If so, is there anything your piggies do to comfort you? I’m just interested to know that’s all xx
 
Having the same problem myself at the moment, pretty stressed too. I've not noticed my piggies picking up on it thankfully but sure others have with theirs.

My cats and chin definitely pick up on it so maybe pigs do too but I'm not noticing it as much with them.

I try and put as much fun stuff in the cage as I can to keep them busy (boxes with hay stuffed in, sprinkling veg around the cage rather than a bowl etc), and try and stay jolly when I've got them out or with me.

Hope you feel better soon x
 
I hope you feel better soon. When I had just one pair of boars I think they knew when i was depressed. Now I have 4 more boars I think they are more aware of each other than me! As @alpacasqueak says cats do pick up on your mood, the cats I had in the past used to curl up on my lap and become much more affectionate when I was depressed.
 
Yes my pigs are far too busy with each to notice me half the time!
My 12 year old cat Rosie, my shadow, is pretty stressed at the minute though, Pedro beats her up and has been pinching her bed. Only relaxes when he's had his last flush and feed at stupid o'clock then can get under the covers for a cuddle!
She's back on Cystease as prone to UTIs and can bring them back on when she's stressed.
So that stresses me too! Never ending cycle!
 
I believe my lot do, especially the ones I have more of a bond with. During floor time if I'm not feeling good they will try to climb up onto my lap for a cuddle rather than run around.
I had a mental health assessment this morning, I was incredibly anxious and my cat came and put himself between me and the assessor. He never comes out when strangers are over unless I'm feeling uneasy.
Once she had gone I did Leonard's meds and had a lie down on the floor while he had a run around. Every so often he came over to lick my face..something he doesn't normally do. I'd have been happier about it had I not seen him eating his poops a few minutes before XD but I appreciate the intent I suppose!
 
Yeah my Rose isn't one for strangers, even hiding under the bed when the post comes the last week. Feel so bad I'm throwing out these bad vibes!

I was wrong, have actually noticed Jess humping Rupert (my pigs) more than usual the last couple of days. She's the boss!
Has been straight after Rupert's Cystease though and seems to cause a prob! I want what he's getting and all that! So may be a coincidence but could be my stressing. Hard to tell as my life is a blur of eye sockets and lack of sleep atm!
 
Mine don't seem to notice, but I still find sitting watching them helps with my depression. I don't think they are very emotionally intelligent.
I had a rabbit in the past who definitely knew when I was feeling bad. She would come and sit on my knee, or cuddle up to me and demand strokes.
 
I don't know if they sense depression, but just being with my piggies,holding them and seeing they happy certainly helped my depression and anxiety.
My old cat Mabel used to know, the only times she would sit on your lap was if I was down. When I had surgery several years ago she slept on the bed snuggled up to me all day.
My new cat Leon is hopeless. Don't know if it's because he's only young or because he's deaf. Lol.xx
 
Most of my guinea pigs have never sensed when I'm feeling low other than one.

My boar Romano was recently by himself as his cage mate had to be removed after a falling out. I was looking to get him a friend but for now while he healed he was alone.
I was really depressed over having no friends and as I cleaned out my other two piggies - who were out playing in the hallway- Romano came up to my bars and placed his two feet on them, leaning up to me as though to check I was okay.
He was a very skittish guinea pig at that time, terrified of me so when I saw him come over as I was upset and reach towards me, I think that he definitely knew something was wrong. He'd never approached me willingly before.
He was always a very affectionate boy after that and even in his final moments, he jumped out of his pet carrier (we were at the vets) to climb on my lap and he curled up resting his head on my belly.
 
alpacasqueak said:
Sorry was so busy rambling on, have you noticed your piggies 'looking after you' @Laura_Deakin?
Click to expand...

Nooo lol they’re more the ones in charge of me I think 😂😂 I’ve been far too attentive towards them since I bought them so they’ve quickly somehow learnt that they’re boss of me! But not really no, but I’ve only had them since July so it’s still early days, they’re only 6 months old.. they’re probably still trying to trust me and work out my ways...
 
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