Me and My Pig(s): Hi! I'm new to piggies.

[veganpiggy]

Hi everyone!
Just yesterday I got my first piggy, Charlie Muffin, for my birthday(don't worry: we've been planning for him for months and we got him from a shelter). I home school, so I have loads of time for him and my dog, Cody. This site has been great! I made him a 2x5 c&c, and he seems pretty happy in there. He's so sweet! He gives me kisses. He likes to touch me, but if I try to pet him he flinches and runs away. I think he's been mistreated. How can I help him get over his fear of being touched? He badly needs his toenails clipped! Any advice on that or anything else is great. Thanks!

[vicky2]

Trust comes over time so you want to just put your hands in the cage and get him used to them.
I suggest you adopt him a friend and welcome to the forum.

[akstrohm]

Welcome! A lot of pigs never like being picked up. He will get more used to you in time, but it can take a while. In the mean time you can let him run into a box and pick the box up.

I use human nail clippers for trimming nails. Make sure just to take just a little off at a time and do it frequently until they are a proper length.

Have you tried to find a friend for him?

[veganpiggy]

I'm planning on getting him a friend soon, but we're moving in a few weeks so we can't have two cages for quarantine for a little while. When we can get him his friend, what's best for him? A baby, adult male, or neuter him and get a female?

[vicky2]

Depends on his age.
Usually with males 1 year and older, a young pig is best.
I wouldn't get a female just in case you get more males. Two males can't be in the presence of a female since they usually fight.

[horsiecutie]

I suggest getting him a young male. My new pig just came out of quarintine and my little boys are already doing great together. My point, if you do the intros correctly you shouldn't have a problem in most cases. Good luck with your new piggy!

[veganpiggy]

Thanks! I'll look for a young guy. I clipped his nails, and he cried the whole time, but now he doesn't have to keep his toes sideways.

[Tessa Bea]

Welcome to the forum! If you already have a 2x5 setup, when you do get Charlie a friend you won't even need to expand the cage! (After quarantine, of course.) Oh, and I have to ask because of your username- are you a vegan? I am a vegetarian trying to work towards becoming vegan... laying off butter and cheese is tough! x_X

As far as skittishness, pigs will usually warm up over time. Get them used to your presence, be gentle and don't make loud sounds. After a while, hopefully he'll be more used to you.

[veganpiggy]

Yes, I am vegan! It's great you're going in that direction. I find that being vegan makes me eat much healthier foods- at events with lots of cupcakes and cookies, I can't have any, so I end up eating all the fruit instead.

Charlie Muffin loves it when I sit and read to him, so I'll work on him through that. While handfeeding him cilantro. I'm sure he'll warm up.

[vicky2]

Hmm, I wonder if there is vegan cupcakes or cookies...

[akstrohm]

There are definitely vegan cupcakes and cookies.

A young male would be best, but if you can only find an older male, there's a good chance of that working too. Make sure you read up on how to do proper intros if you haven't already done so. If you have a rescue in your area, they can help you match your pig up with a buddy. I wouldn't neuter him--it's a relatively simple procedure that often goes fine, but it does carry some risks, and there's no real reason to do it in your case.

I'm glad you did your research before getting your first pig.

[veganpiggy]

Actually, vegan treats exist and can be just as good as normal.. but you've got to find them first. In Northampton, MA there's a great vegan cafe called evolution. They make the best vegan or otherwise cupcakes I've ever had.