Very Skittish Piggy

[MrWhistles]

Is it possible to have a pig that is naturally very skittish?

Korra is somewhat scared. But she's easily calmed down. Lady on the other hand is VERY skittish.

Example: Emma the pug will squeak her toy. Korra will turn and look in that direction. Lady will freak out. Run everywhere and slam into a corner or a hidy. She'll sit there, all balled up, and looking scared as all get out. Her eyes will be so wide you could see part of the whites.

This also worries me because she gets so scared that she doesn't pay attention where she's going and she'll run into items.

It honestly has crossed my mind, was someone mean or cruel to her? Why is she so scared like this? Korra sees its okay. She's even tried comforting Lady. I've often found her grooming a scared Lady.

[ellisa]

You haven't had them very long so she may need more time to settle in. She very well could have been mistreated. Some pigs will never warm up to people, too. I would just give her time and try to keep her in a quiet part of the house while she settles in.

[RodentCuddles]

How long have you had them?

[Kelsie]

I have four piggies and one of mine is very skittish. I've had her since she was two months old. I spent lots of time while she was young holding and cuddling her and yet she has always been timid. She will run into the hidey if I walk into the room. Any little sound will send her running for cover. And yet, when I get her out she will quietly sit in my lap. I really think some pigs are just naturally timid. I think it's so sweet that Korra will try to comfort Lady. My three just look at Baby when she is afraid as if to say what is your problem.

[MrWhistles]

You haven't had them very long so she may need more time to settle in. She very well could have been mistreated. Some pigs will never warm up to people, too. I would just give her time and try to keep her in a quiet part of the house while she settles in.

I think she is still settling in as well. She's sitting quite still on me right now. Not really freaking out too much, but then again it is pretty quiet. The only noise being made is the TV and the dishwasher.

How long have you had them?

Almost 24hrs now.

I have four piggies and one of mine is very skittish. I've had her since she was two months old. I spent lots of time while she was young holding and cuddling her and yet she has always been timid. She will run into the hidey if I walk into the room. Any little sound will send her running for cover. And yet, when I get her out she will quietly sit in my lap. I really think some pigs are just naturally timid. I think it's so sweet that Korra will try to comfort Lady. My three just look at Baby when she is afraid as if to say what is your problem.

I thought it was the most adorable thing when I saw Korra comforting her.


Also, I weighted her today. It seems shes lost quite a bit of weight. But I think there are contributing factors here to the weight loss. 1: more space, they can fully zoom and get their exercise. 2: new surroundings, being a spooky piggy she may not be comfortable coming out all hours of the day to get her food.
Lady went from 740gms to 683 gms

I'll continue to watch her weight very closely. I'm thinking that if she gets any closer to 600gms I'm going to seriously start worrying.

I haven't yet weight Korra. I'm spending a few moments with Lady and once I get Korra I'll weight her.

[RodentCuddles]

Only 24hrs is not long at all, remember it can take weeks to months for a new piggy to settle in and trust you. (:

[foggycreekcavy]

Pigs will soon get used to the sounds and smells of your house, and settle down and not slam into things every time she hears a noise.

Your timid one will still most likely freak out when you try to pick her up, though. Some pigs are just like that.

[coconutty78]

I just did introductions today with my two new boys and Rusty & Munchie and now when you try to pick any of them up they are flying all over the place so scared for me to pick them up and it seems certain sounds are freaking the new ones out as well. I just figure new environment and lots of big changes. I'm sure my two new ones and Lady will chill in a couple of weeks. I found Munchie was like that when i first got him very terrified but about a month in he warmed up a lot more.

[MrWhistles]

Korra weighted in at 494 gms
That's down from her 504gms

I do hope Lady won't remain timid and skittish forever. But it wouldn't surprise me, she got quite snuggly with me while I was holding her

[4kowboys]

I was just going to ask the same question. We've had ours since yesterday afternoon. She runs and hides anytime we come near her. She is an only one, too. I am thinking it would be better to get another one when she gets to know us better. Am I thinking incorrectly? She is just so scared. I think she may be at least 2 years old. I am not sure her previous owners held her much or let her out much. She is just soooo shy! I am afraid to pick her up. I wrapped a towel around her and sat with her for a good 20 minutes or so and reinforced her calmness with a treat. How many times a day should I do this? Thanks!

[MrWhistles]

I hope I'm going about this all right. I know it has only been 48 hrs since we got them. I have to remind myself how long it has been. "It's been 2 days. It's been 2 days. Give her time, she'll get better."
It pains me to see her so scared. I attempted floor time with a lettuce leaf. She was so scared. My brother in law came out of the kitchen. And we have a kitchen gate rigged with a bungie cord to keep it closed. It slammed shut and she freaked out like she did when Emma squeaked her toy. She slammed into the pin, I scooped her up and held her close. It worried me so to see her do that.

For her sake, I really hope and pray that she will chill out.

[Paula]

All of the pigs I have now are cuys, and despite the fact that I've had them all over a year now, there's only one who doesn't run and scream and try to jump out of the cage when I go to pick him up out of the cage. Obviously, they are different than "normal" pigs, but some pigs will always be skittish and frightened and it's important to just accept that and let them be who they are.