What is Wrong??

[anitasues]

I am a newbie and the proud mommie of a white long haired piggie named Emily. I have owned her for about 4 months and I adopted her from a family that didn't want her anymore. So needless to say, she was living in a very small store brought cage. I found your site and got awesome ideas for a new cage for her. This site has been sooooo helpful. But I have questions, I don't know what is going on with her. I spent a whole month making this awesome two story cage with all the bells and whistles. The thing is, she will not stay in your usual pigloo but hides under the landing I made at the back of the cage so it is really hard to get her. In fact, since she has been in the cage, I can't catch her!!! She will not go up the stairs that I made for the second floor which is really cool with all these cool toys and an edible couch!! I tried to teach her and put lettuce leaves and such on the ramp going up to the second floor. She sees that the lettuce is on the ramp, sticks her nose in the air and sniffs around and sees that its on the ramp and goes and hides to the back of the cage. I finally caught her and put her on the second floor and she didn't come down. Its been 2 weeks and she hasn't had her floor time. What am I doing wrong. She would run around the house during floor time and I figured this new cage would make her happy because of the more room, but I don't think it is working. sorry this is so long.

[Toadies]

She has gone from a cramped space to a space that seems to have no boundaries. The open areas probably make her feel insecure and exposed. They are prey animals and feel more secure in "safer", closer places. Perhaps you could confine her to one level for awhile and when she feels more secure, you could reintroduce her the the second level. A buddy may help her feel more secure as well. They are social and a buddy might well add to her comfort. All in all, it just takes time but patience, love and bribes will win her over.

[Ziggy&Herald]

First off I would like to say the edible houses, couches, huts etc. are all bad for them. They have honey in them which is too fatty for pigs. Oh and Welcome.

I had a half level in my cage as well and my pigs would hide under it. I eventually had to remove it because they would pee and poop underneath and it was hard to get back there to clean.

My boys also don't use their second level. I've tried everything as well. Only one, the youngest will go up and down. I put all three up top, two came down and one stayed until I put him back down. Pigs are ground dwellers, they prefer to be as low to the ground as possible. Some pigs will use ramps like it's nothing, but others wont. I found that if the ramps have sides or if they are some sort of tunnel, they use it more often.

Also, now that you have a bigger cage, maybe think about adopting a friend for her. Many times they will become more active if their is another pig they have to contend with. Other then this, I don't really have any other advice. Good luck with her, she sounds adorable.

[anitasues]

Thanks for the info Toadies, but I guess I have to be more patient, but I figured after two weeks she would be used to it. I am going to get her a friend, I was just waiting until I buildt the bigger cage and see how Emily was taking to it. I never thought of reintroducing her to the second floor, I guess I got all excited about this new cage!!

[anitasues]

Thanks Ziggy its nice to know that other piggies don't like the second floor. I guess I got too excited seeing everyones pictures of their cages and their piggies going up and down them. I did see one person using a big black hose to get to the top floor, maybe I'll try that

[Harrys Dad]

I have 2 pigs and both were raised in small cages one in a store bought and one in a 20 gal fish tank. Once I got the first one (Harry) it took him a bit to go up the tube to a partial second level. I got him a buddy (Murry) who was raised in a store bought cage and I put him on top level of a 3 level he stayed there for 2 days so moved him to bottom level. I cut the tubes in half so they aren't enclosed and Harry would go up and down them with no problem. Murry took him a bit to even go to a half level landing but has since seen Harry go up and down and finally runs up all 3 levels and back down like a speed demon. They both LOVE all 3 levels now.

[caviecrazie]

Get her a friend as they shouldn't be housed alone. Also, mine know when the 'hand' is coming and go halfway up their ramp, where it's hard to reach them. That's probably the point, to get somewhere where you can reach her and she feels safe.
I bet once you get her she cuddles up though.