Scaredy Pigs - Would a herd help?

[Cuddles With Cavies]

Hiya, I have 2 sows, they’re about a 1.5yr. I got them when they were about 15 weeks old from a less than ideal situation.

They are the most scared and frightened animals I’ve ever seen.

I’ve had them over a year now, I’ve spent lots of time trying to desensitise them to me, sounds and sights. However, they are both still terrified of most things. They hate going outside, won’t come out if I’m in the same room as them and run and hide if they hear a sound or I walk past the door.

The past two days they haven’t even been out of their hides to have breakfast because a fans been on in the room to keep my fish tank from over heating and the sound freaked them out.

I’m at my whits end with them. These are my 12th & 13th piggies, I’ve pulled out all the tips and tricks that helped to tame down my other ones. I thought maybe they’d get better with age. But they’re both still terrified.

I feel so bad for them because it can’t be nice living your life scared of everything.

I’m wondering if getting 2 or 3 more confident piggies might help? I’ve got a 9x2 C&C cage, so plenty of space. And maybe they’d feel more comfortable knowing they had more eyes on the skies, so to speak.

Has anyone had any experience like this? Is there anything else I can do or something that worked wonders for your scaredy pigs?

I just feel like I’m failing them.


One of the only photos I’ve ever managed to get of them - Pumpkin and Boo.

 

[flowerfairy]

OMG they are gorgeous.

I can see how more eyes on the skies could be comforting for them but equally they may just be really shy characters. I had a herd of 7 in a similar sized c and c set up and it is a fascinating and wonderful joy to watch all the interactions.

I initially had 2 rescue sows (sisters) and added a neutered boar. They worked well as a trio. Cufflinks (boar) was very laid back and the head sister, Jingle was very able to stop all that mounting nonsense with a well aimed pee jet or two! He soon got the message.

I then added 2 sisters from another rescue and later two older sows.

Someone with more experience of long term scardey pigs will probably be along in a bit.

Good luck with your two beauties.

 

[Merab]

I have a very timid pair who were rescued after being dumped in the woods.
I’ve found that if I just leave them alone they are calming down from being terrified all the time.

I only handle them for their health check.
I deliver food and sometimes sit by the cage and talk to them.
They don’t want to be petted.
You may have to accept that the best you can do for them is give them a safe and loving home with minimal interaction.
They sound as if they are in a great home with a loving and patient owner.

Hope they will find some confidence

 

[flowerfairy]

I have just been watching squeak dreams on you tube. So many good bonding with guinea pig ideas.

 

[Truffolo]

Perhaps moving their cage to a living room where they will see people around quite a lot would help? Piggies are quite curious and even if they continue to hide alot, they would have more stimulation and interesting things going on and might get more confident if the room isn't too noisy.

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

I've had quite a few timid piggies over the years and unfortunately there is no miracle cure. What works for one piggy, can be the wrong thing for the next one.
I find that reading to piggies usually calms them down. It doesn't matter what you read but somehow they seem to sense that you can't read and do any harm at the same time.

Getting timid piggies to take food out of your hand can be hard but it's worth it.

More piggies can help ... in theory. But you would need super-confident ones and they are hard to find. My late boar Jamie was very timid and he got my girls to be quite skittish. And they have known me for years and are pretty relaxed if somepig doesn't tell them all the time that life is dangerous.

I can understand that you feel as if you're failing them. But you are doing your best and you're respecting their feelings and needs. That's a lot more than many owners would do.
Very timid piggies are not easy to get to trust you. It's a marathon not a sprint.

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

I find that reading to piggies usually calms them down. It doesn't matter what you read but somehow they seem to sense that you can't read and do any harm at the same time.

Wow! What an interesting idea. Like reading to small children.

I found singing helped when my piggies were stressed. Sometimes lullabies but especially mantra chanting (Om Shanti Om etc). That was probably because the mantras brought my own anxiety levels down, which the piggies would sense. That's probably not your issue though @Cuddles With Cavies

I can't remember now if I used singing with timid guineas or not. I think more just sitting next to their cage and talking quietly.

 

[Roselina]

I use lullabys when I’m soaking Freddy’s feet for 5 mins then a rinse and it does settle him
He is still wriggly and skittish …..even after having him for 7 months and doing this every day
It maybe their early experiences have nurtured their fear and it may just be the way they are
You clearly are a devoted owner and they are so lucky to have you