Scared Piggy?

[Williaju]

Hi all! I am a proud new guinea owner. After much research and two weeks of waiting, I brought home two girls 5 days ago. Oreo and Mocha .

I am posting this message because I am concerned about one of my girls (Oreo). She rarely comes out of her igloo within the cage. And when I lift the igloo up to touch her she freaks out. She proceeds to run around the cage loudly squeaking. Only when I put the igloo back does she stop making noises. What does this mean? Is this the scared noise or is it some kind of begging noise for the igloo to come back?

Mocha my other girl is so well behaved. Why can't this behavior rub off on Oreo.

Tips anyone?

[BabyGrl]

She might just be shy. If you have only had her for 5 days she needs a little more time to adjust.

[Williaju]

Oh no I just noticed I posted this in the wrong spot. This is not cage talk. Ahh the curse of being new to forum

[BabyGrl]

Thats ok it happens. The mods are pretty good about making sure things end up where they should be.

[Ly&Pigs]

Cage chat is for questions on how to build a cage and more cage specific related questions and showing off your cage photos. Posting your question here was just fine.

Does your piggie scratch a lot and does she have any hairloss?

[cavy-cool-crazy]

Welcome to Cavy Cages!

As you've only had Mocha and Oreo for a few days, they will still be pretty scared. They've gone from being somewhere they 'know' to somewhere srange, with strange people, strange noises, and strange foods. Mocha is just braver than Oreo at this stage, which is why one is so skittish and the other isn't. It does take time for pigs to get used to you and to living a new lifestyle.

I remember when I first adopted one of my pigs, Jasmine, she squealed terribly when you went near her, touched her, or picked her up. Now, 3 months later, she only wheeks when she hears something which may mean 'food is on the way', and she loves her cuddles.

Just give it time and she will calm down. Carry on as normal around the cage and the pigs. They will get scared by the noises at first but after a while they will learn to live with them. Keep us updated, and don't forget - pigtures!

[Williaju]

Thanks so much for the help guys. Oh and I am working on getting pictures. Its just that alot are turning out as blurs because the piggies move too fast!

In response to Ly&Pigs, I was wondering if I should just go ahead and treat for mites. Oreo doesn't really have any symptoms of mites but maybe I should... I am just a bit worried about cost. I am a poor grad. student.

[BabyGrl]

It is not going to hurt them to treat them. Ivermectin is pretty inexpensive. You can order it online or find it at some feed stores.