Snuggle Bug and Hunger Strike

[Julia Rafferty]

Let me start off by explaining the hunger strike. When I am away and my pigs can’t see or hear me, they get depressed and refuse to eat. I wound up coming home from vacation because they wouldn’t eat anything. We realized that I can’t leave them for mor that 48 hours without them getting anxiety. Is there anything I can do to stop this?

Also, I have a piggie that is a bit derpy. When testing his reflexes, he barely budges and we believe he is inbred. Well, he has always been a bit of a snuggle bug. When I went to get him, I had to walk out with him on my shirt because he was holding on for dear life. It took hours to get him off. He love sitting on my shoulders and my head and just chilling with me. He also really likes my neck and begs to be picked up some days. Why is this?

 

[DM030819]

@Julia Rafferty Who is it that looks after them when you are away? Do they know this person? Does their routine change? They won't be depressed but wary of the new person. They need to try to stick to the same routine and not overly bother the pigs.

Your boy won't be derpy, he's afraid. Pigs are prey animals so they stay very still when they believe danger is near. You need to introduce him to new things slowly. Some pigs are more fearless than others, your boy sounds like a scaredy pig.

 

[Julia Rafferty]

@Julia Rafferty Who is it that looks after them when you are away? Do they know this person? Does their routine change? They won't be depressed but wary of the new person. They need to try to stick to the same routine and not overly bother the pigs.

Your boy won't be derpy, he's afraid. Pigs are prey animals so they stay very still when they believe danger is near. You need to introduce him to new things slowly. Some pigs are more fearless than others, your boy sounds like a scaredy pig.

My parents watch the pigs while I am gone and my friends when we are all gone. They stick to the exact same schedule and are never purposely bothered.

 

[DM030819]

@Julia Rafferty Apologies, I never mesnt to suggest your family would torment the pigs.

Pigs can be very wary creatures. My boys have known my partner for 4 and 5 years and they still act differently around him to me. I can hand feed them quite easily but they won't take food off him.

When I'm away for the night he will put food in for them but generally leaves them alone so they will still eat.

 

[Julia Rafferty]

@Julia Rafferty Apologies, I never mesnt to suggest your family would torment the pigs.

Pigs can be very wary creatures. My boys have known my partner for 4 and 5 years and they still act differently around him to me. I can hand feed them quite easily but they won't take food off him.

When I'm away for the night he will put food in for them but generally leaves them alone so they will still eat.

It’s fine... my pigs will eat food from anyone’s hand, though. But that is only when they aren’t refusing to eat.