Hi everyone. A few weeks ago, one of our little boys passed away from a URI leaving his best buddy Nibbler (age: 5.5 y/o). We were afraid Nibbler would become lonely considering him and Yancy had been together since they were very young. 3 days after Yancy’s passing, we adopted Owlie (2 y/o) from a shelter.
We introduced the boys in a neutral set up with our senior, Nibbler, showing to be the dominant piggie. Owlie was very submissive. They got along pretty well, eating together, napping right beside each other, Etc. However, about 2 or 3 days later, we saw Nibbler get humped by Owlie, with boar glue all over his cute little butt. That same day, we noticed Nibbler behaving unusually: not eating or drinking much, being still, things of that sort, so we took him to the vet. They didn’t find anything wrong, but took precaution and prescribed antibiotics just in case it was an early start of URI. The vet said it could possibly be stress of introducing a new piggie and being humped. She advised we separate the 2 “possibly forever.”
Um, we weren’t quite sure with the whole separating them forever thing considering they seemed to do so well prior, but we did separate them with a gate going down the middle of their cage until Nibsy seemed strong and healthy again. 2 nights ago we reintroduced them in a neutral zone, and Owlie was right off the bat dominating Nibbler. The normal chattering, chasing, and introduction behavior, but Nibbler getting humped every few minutes.
So, what I’m concerned about is that now Nibbler isn’t moving much again. He’s eating and drinking, but mostly sticking to one corner. Owlie is still humping Nibbler and they’ll chase and nip at each other for a little bit, but they also seem to be doing okay with each other. Owlie will come over to lay with Nibs, and they’ll take naps together and forage and eat hay and treats together. Any opinions or advice on this? Why is Nibbler only sticking to one spot? What can we do to help him? Do you think he’s stressed and afraid of Owlie? Should we separate them again?
Anything helps! Thanks to all!
We introduced the boys in a neutral set up with our senior, Nibbler, showing to be the dominant piggie. Owlie was very submissive. They got along pretty well, eating together, napping right beside each other, Etc. However, about 2 or 3 days later, we saw Nibbler get humped by Owlie, with boar glue all over his cute little butt. That same day, we noticed Nibbler behaving unusually: not eating or drinking much, being still, things of that sort, so we took him to the vet. They didn’t find anything wrong, but took precaution and prescribed antibiotics just in case it was an early start of URI. The vet said it could possibly be stress of introducing a new piggie and being humped. She advised we separate the 2 “possibly forever.”
Um, we weren’t quite sure with the whole separating them forever thing considering they seemed to do so well prior, but we did separate them with a gate going down the middle of their cage until Nibsy seemed strong and healthy again. 2 nights ago we reintroduced them in a neutral zone, and Owlie was right off the bat dominating Nibbler. The normal chattering, chasing, and introduction behavior, but Nibbler getting humped every few minutes.
So, what I’m concerned about is that now Nibbler isn’t moving much again. He’s eating and drinking, but mostly sticking to one corner. Owlie is still humping Nibbler and they’ll chase and nip at each other for a little bit, but they also seem to be doing okay with each other. Owlie will come over to lay with Nibs, and they’ll take naps together and forage and eat hay and treats together. Any opinions or advice on this? Why is Nibbler only sticking to one spot? What can we do to help him? Do you think he’s stressed and afraid of Owlie? Should we separate them again?
Anything helps! Thanks to all!
