Scared Piggie!

[Ginnyandpia]

I've had my girl Pia for about a month, but she still acts all frantic and spazzing when I hold her? When I try and catch her is the worst, i corner her and she tries to climb the cage and starts screaming bloody murder.

When I hold her she gets so scared, she gets all huffy and tries to escape with everything she's got. She's a tiny thing so I often give up and put her back in the cage, in fear she'll hurt herself.

Any advice? I'm open to anything! Thanks

 

[Kylie80]

My two were like that when I first got them too but now I throw two fleece snuggle sacks into the cage and remove all their hidey's and they will run straight into the sacks. It's so much easier to catch them and less stress on them (and me too lol). I carry them around in the sacks too when I need to move them but that's mostly for my benefit because I am scared I will drop them because they are so squirmy.

 

[kenken123]

It might help if you get her a buddy. Also just give her time some piggies are just more timid then others. It also help to give veg at snuggle time.

 

[Ginnyandpia]

My two were like that when I first got them too but now I throw two fleece snuggle sacks into the cage and remove all their hidey's and they will run straight into the sacks. It's so much easier to catch them and less stress on them (and me too lol). I carry them around in the sacks too when I need to move them but that's mostly for my benefit because I am scared I will drop them because they are so squirmy.

This is a good idea, and I just ordered some fleece things for them! I'm definitely going to try this, thank you

 

[Ginnyandpia]

It might help if you get her a buddy. Also just give her time some piggies are just more timid then others. It also help to give veg at snuggle time.

She does have two friends. I used to give veggies while holding her so I will definitely try doing that again. Thank you!

 

[CogGirl]

A month really isn't a long time, piggy-wise; we'll have had the girls for 2 years come January and Siggy still doesn't like being picked up. As they're prey animals, their instincts tell them being picked up is bad news (you're probably a predator trying to eat them) and it takes time and patience to get past that.

Using the snuggle snacks is a good idea, as is offering something tasty so she associates you with nice things rather than with being scared.