Suddenly Very Skittish?

[AmyP&M]

I noticed yesterday that my piggie Pippa was acting a little strange. I was letting them have some carpet time whilst I cleaned out their cage. I noticed Pippa was just sitting in one spot not doing much, which I thought was unusual as she'd normally be trotting around or chewing something! There cage is placed right against the wall so when I let them have floor time I pull it out so they they have access to the other side of the room. My other piggie had jumped into the cage once I finished cleaning their cage but she just stayed in the same spot so I pushed the cage back against the wall as that normally tells them its the end of floor time. She got very spooked and ran into the corner. Normally this wouldn't spook her and shes seen it happen many times. She tried running away from me when I went to calm her down. I put her back in her cage, she would normally go staright to the fresh hay but she just stood in the cage, and once I placed in their hidy house she ran straight into it. Shes also very sniffy and wide eyes constantly looking around. Shes not as bad today but still acting similarly. I had her in my bedroom and she was acting fine but when I put her down on the floor for her to run back to her cage she ran under my chair. This is very unusual behavior from her. She seems to have calmed down a bit now but I was wondering if anyone had any idea what could be causing this? No new changes has happened recently for her to be acting like this.

 

[sport_billy]

Sometimes piggies get spooked and it can last an hour or a whole day, just keep to your normal routine and Pippa will settle down. Hopefully by the time you read this all will be fine.

 

[Freela]

Sometimes pigs get spooked by something unknown (could be a sound or smell not noticeable to people) and it can affect their behavior for some time. Some pigs are spookier than others and are slower to get over things. One of mine, Sundae, is a bit anxious and takes awhile to get over things. Once when she was running around the hall, she darted in front of my foot and ended up getting kicked. It wasn't hard enough to hurt her, thankfully, but it scared her a lot and it took a good week for her behavior to get back to normal (she was scared to come out of the cage, VERY scared when she was out and saw a person walk anywhere near, etc.) How is she doing now? Have things settled down?

 

[AmyP&M]

Shes gone back to her normal behavior now thankfully and has been fine since, thankyou for your advice!

 

[Miss_piggie]

I have been looking after my sisters pigs for two months now and they still havent warmed up to me. I'm not loud around them and i dont do any sudden movements around them. I always greet them with a smile and a light and cheery tone of voice when ever i go to their cage and yet I'm still greeted in return with them running away from me and hiding in their hutch. Also, every time I go to pick them up- whether it be for cuddles or to inspect the bodues for anything unusual or to clean their hutch, they do everything they can to get away from me. I'm at a loss for what i should do and why they are acting in such an unusual manner. Also, in the time I've had them, I've taken them to vet for shots, clipped their nails, bathed them and given them medicine. would this have anything to do with their behaviour?

 

[sport_billy]

I have been looking after my sisters pigs for two months now and they still havent warmed up to me. I'm not loud around them and i dont do any sudden movements around them. I always greet them with a smile and a light and cheery tone of voice when ever i go to their cage and yet I'm still greeted in return with them running away from me and hiding in their hutch. Also, every time I go to pick them up- whether it be for cuddles or to inspect the bodues for anything unusual or to clean their hutch, they do everything they can to get away from me. I'm at a loss for what i should do and why they are acting in such an unusual manner. Also, in the time I've had them, I've taken them to vet for shots, clipped their nails, bathed them and given them medicine. would this have anything to do with their behaviour?

Piggies can take months and I mean months to tame and get used to you. It has taken our girls anything between 1 month - 9 months with one particular piggy,

Picking them up calmly can help we use this technique

I would advise trying to feed them at the bars of the cage, this is a great way to gain their trust. Keep at it you will get there

 

[Miss_piggie]

Piggies can take months and I mean months to tame and get used to you. It has taken our girls anything between 1 month - 9 months with one particular piggy,

Picking them up calmly can help we use this technique

I would advise trying to feed them at the bars of the cage, this is a great way to gain their trust. Keep at it you will get there

Thank you for the video ☺