Pig Deeply Upset By Floor Time

I have a 1 1/2 year old male who was attacked by his cagemate over 4 months ago and every since then, this pig HATES to be out of his cage. Strangely enough, the attack happened in his cage so you'd think that would be the place where he felt unsafe, but as long as he's alone he seems perfectly happy and normal while in the cage. He doesn't seem to mind being picked up, but holding him makes him nervous and putting him on the floor makes him hostile. He will immediately run to a corner and click his teeth at anything that comes near him. If I sit next to him the whole time, he's somewhat more normal, but if I leave and come back, he'll try to bite me when I pick him up. I figured he would get over it eventually, but this has been going on EVERYDAY for MONTHS! I've tried letting him run in different locations, but it doesn't seem to matter. Putting him in a play pen seems to make him less hostile, but he still doesn't run around at all. I've always thought he was a little high-strung...he has always seemed nervous and he will not eat unless he's in his cage, but this behavior seems extremely odd to me and seems to be permanent. Has anyone seen anything like this go on for this long? Do you think it's too stressful for him? Is there anything else I can try?

[pig pal]

Originally Posted by RODEhard

I have a 1 1/2 year old male who was attacked by his cagemate over 4 months ago and every since then, this pig HATES to be out of his cage. Strangely enough, the attack happened in his cage so you'd think that would be the place where he felt unsafe, but as long as he's alone he seems perfectly happy and normal while in the cage. He doesn't seem to mind being picked up, but holding him makes him nervous and putting him on the floor makes him hostile. He will immediately run to a corner and click his teeth at anything that comes near him. If I sit next to him the whole time, he's somewhat more normal, but if I leave and come back, he'll try to bite me when I pick him up. I figured he would get over it eventually, but this has been going on EVERYDAY for MONTHS! I've tried letting him run in different locations, but it doesn't seem to matter. Putting him in a play pen seems to make him less hostile, but he still doesn't run around at all. I've always thought he was a little high-strung...he has always seemed nervous and he will not eat unless he's in his cage, but this behavior seems extremely odd to me and seems to be permanent. Has anyone seen anything like this go on for this long? Do you think it's too stressful for him? Is there anything else I can try?

One of mine is simular but he was high strung and nervous from day 1.

[lipglossartist]

Did you get him from a previous owner? A bad petshop?
Floor time means two sets of stalking, catching and picking up sessions.
My guinea pig knows thats what floor time means! Although he still enjoys the time out down there, he does the chattering teeth and hides in the corner when ever I re-enter the room also.
However, it is extremely rare for piggers to bite.
If you are the first owner he's had, I would say that it could be safe to say it is fear from the attack. Does he chatter like then when you reach INTO his cage to get him, or just when he's out on the floor?

Mine did that probably for the first three months after I got him. He had NEVER been out on the floor before due to his previous owner. But it DID eventually subside.

Depending on what kind of floor covering you are using also, (if using towels) it is possible that he is coming across this other fella's scent markings and fears he is treading on his ground and is always in danger.

If he is neutered, try introducing him to a mild-mannered girlfriend.
That sort of stress isnt fair to any piggy. Especially without a cage mate.

Sad to hear of your problem, hope all works out & stay vigilint! :0)