Barbering in an adult female

[Piggylove82]

OK. So I know barbering can be a symptom of stress, but how long ago does the stress have to have been? Can it take a while for a change of environment to cause stress and result in barbering?

 

[hrsrdr]

Hmmm... I would think that whatever their stressing over would have to do with something currently going on, or something that repeatedly happens. I suppose if it was traumatic enough, they may stress for a long time afterwards. It depends on what it is. Hopefully an expert will be along soon to help.

 

[Siikibam]

I don’t know anything about barbering. The best thing I would suggest is to take your piggy to the vet if you’re worried.

 

[Freela]

I have no idea what causes barbering... I had one pig who would barber her cagemate's fur, but only in the summer. She left her alone in the winter. Then she would start up again next year. I wondered if it was stress-related because we travel to the cottage and back in the summer, which means environmental changes and car rides, but sometimes she would start before we ever left, so maybe not! It could be stress, but it could be something that you'll never figure out, and she may stop again on her own.

 

[Swissgreys]

Is the piggy in question barbering herself or a cage mate?
Have her circumstances recently changed?

We can help you more if you can give us specific details about the situation.
Self barbering can be a symptom of pain in a specific area - is that a possibility?

 

[PigglePuggle]

I agree self barbering could indicate pain, or irritation from a skin infection, or stress or boredom. Definitely worth a vet check.

Barbering friends can sometimes just he some over-enthusiastic friendly grooming- our Piggle occasionally gives her floofier friends a hair cut when licking their faces and they dont seem to mind. But if taken too far it could be bullying.

Is there something specific you think has stressed your piggy? Stress can also make piggies more susceptible to mites and ringworm so any bald patches are always worth checking with the vet.

 

[Piggylove82]

Is the piggy in question barbering herself or a cage mate?
Have her circumstances recently changed?

We can help you more if you can give us specific details about the situation.
Self barbering can be a symptom of pain in a specific area - is that a possibility?

I had to move the location of her hutch, and swapped a log cabin inside the hutch for an igloo that she's had before. Not a new item. But I introduced a few new foods too. So I'm thinking maybe too many things changed for her. She's still absolutely fine in herself. Trotting out to eat and say hi. Her barbering is along her sides, not concentrated in any particular area and isn't down to the skin. Her skin seems fine, no bare patches, soreness, no sign it might be a skin issue. No different behaviour. Her face is fine so think she's doing it to herself and it's not her hutch mate.

I've put her log cabin back in now (she went straight inside it when I did) and have reverted to the fresh food she has always been used to having. I just didn't know how soon/late (if this is stress related due to changes in her environment) that the barbering behaviour would present itself.

EDIT : I moved her hutch just before New Year, new foods just after New Year. And changed her log cabin a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Piggylove82]

I agree self barbering could indicate pain, or irritation from a skin infection, or stress or boredom. Definitely worth a vet check.

Barbering friends can sometimes just he some over-enthusiastic friendly grooming- our Piggle occasionally gives her floofier friends a hair cut when licking their faces and they dont seem to mind. But if taken too far it could be bullying.

Is there something specific you think has stressed your piggy? Stress can also make piggies more susceptible to mites and ringworm so any bald patches are always worth checking with the vet.

Thanks. She has no bald patches, just looks like she's had a hair cut. A trim, not a grade 1! I do think it's because I changed too many things. So going back how things were before.