SandyF
Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2004
- Posts
- 240
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2004
- Messages
- 240
My husband and I adopted our 8th boar in August -- Henry. Although the shelter could give us zero in the way of details about him (other than his previous owner dumped him "due to allergies"), we estimate that he's around 4 years old and seems to be in very good health.
Henry is a very outgoing and friendly pig, but he has a habit of nipping that has us a little confused. When we first got him, I went ahead and treated for mites as a precaution. Didn't really show any signs of mites, but his coat was a little rough and dull (most likely diet-related; he didn't seem to know what fresh vegetables were), and I figured it was better to be safe than sorry. He has never itched/scratched much, doesn't have any scabbing, redness, inflammation -- none of the usual signs of parasites or skin problems. Yet, he will suddenly swing his head around and bite at us without warning.
Doesn't seem to be any specific location that causes the reaction, and it doesn't seem to be related to a need to urinate. He will be happily cooing away (again, he's extremely affectionate and loves to be held and petted), then will quickly turn his head and nip. He continues to coo as he does this, and there is no teethchattering or other signs that he's angry, so I'm really puzzled by it. The only thing I can see as a pattern, is that he doesn't like your hand to approach him too quickly or from the sides. Either of those actions will almost always provoke a nip.
He also likes to give chin licks, and very often he will be gently licking my chin or face and will suddenly clamp down very hard with his teeth and pull at my skin -- often leaving a small bruise. When I say "NO!" and nudge him away with my hand or arm, he then nips at my hand or my arm. Then he goes back to cooing and seeming perfectly content. He does not nip when I clip nails or brush him, and is even very well-behaved for anal sac inspections.
We've had nipping pigs before that were related to mites, and young pigs who grew out of it, but this is a new one. Does anyone have any thoughts as to what the nipping means, and the best way to discourage it?
Henry is a very outgoing and friendly pig, but he has a habit of nipping that has us a little confused. When we first got him, I went ahead and treated for mites as a precaution. Didn't really show any signs of mites, but his coat was a little rough and dull (most likely diet-related; he didn't seem to know what fresh vegetables were), and I figured it was better to be safe than sorry. He has never itched/scratched much, doesn't have any scabbing, redness, inflammation -- none of the usual signs of parasites or skin problems. Yet, he will suddenly swing his head around and bite at us without warning.
Doesn't seem to be any specific location that causes the reaction, and it doesn't seem to be related to a need to urinate. He will be happily cooing away (again, he's extremely affectionate and loves to be held and petted), then will quickly turn his head and nip. He continues to coo as he does this, and there is no teethchattering or other signs that he's angry, so I'm really puzzled by it. The only thing I can see as a pattern, is that he doesn't like your hand to approach him too quickly or from the sides. Either of those actions will almost always provoke a nip.
He also likes to give chin licks, and very often he will be gently licking my chin or face and will suddenly clamp down very hard with his teeth and pull at my skin -- often leaving a small bruise. When I say "NO!" and nudge him away with my hand or arm, he then nips at my hand or my arm. Then he goes back to cooing and seeming perfectly content. He does not nip when I clip nails or brush him, and is even very well-behaved for anal sac inspections.
We've had nipping pigs before that were related to mites, and young pigs who grew out of it, but this is a new one. Does anyone have any thoughts as to what the nipping means, and the best way to discourage it?
