Behavior Help my piggy is still skiddish

[stephybond]

Hello everyone ! So any advice would help. I’ve had Kiki Pearl (my piggy) for about a year now. I clean her area at least every two days, always fresh hay and water, veggies every night for dinner, take her out for pets every other day. I posted previously that a while ago that she chatters and cries when she’s taken out of her habitat. I was told she’s new and needs time to get comfortable and adapt.. year later she’s still the same. She won’t tolerate being out of her comfort zone ( cage ) and she still whimpers and cries when I hold her or keep her next to me while I pet and give her treats on the bed with me. She hates grooming and nail cutting. Point being she has not changed ! I don’t think she hates me she likes pets in her chin and head from time to time but after two lets she nips. Not enough to make me bleed just like a get offf me nip. She runs away every time I’d like to take her out and give her people time during this time she chatters and whimpers-rarely she gets comfy and lays down. She won’t explore anywhere but her area.. I’d love to kiss and hug her more but I hate aggravating her. Any advice to get her more social with her outside surroundings and pet time ?

 

[4boipigs]

In my experience, that's just their nature. I've had 10 pigs and not one enjoys being picked up, nail trims, etc. After a while (over a year) they did come around and allow me to pet them, and stay still for nail trims. They haven't gotten used to being out of their cage either. One will literally try to climb the grids to return to his cage.

My only suggestion is maybe try a snuggie sack for her to burrow into and find comfort when she's out of the cage and you want to try lap time or something. Otherwise, just be patient.

 

[stephybond]

In my experience, that's just their nature. I've had 10 pigs and not one enjoys being picked up, nail trims, etc. After a while (over a year) they did come around and allow me to pet them, and stay still for nail trims. They haven't gotten used to being out of their cage either. One will literally try to climb the grids to return to his cage.

My only suggestion is maybe try a snuggie sack for her to burrow into and find comfort when she's out of the cage and you want to try lap time or something. Otherwise, just be patient.

Thank you so much for your response. I do usually keep her nice and comfy when she’s out the cage. I guess I’ll have to accept that’s her personality lol.

 

[ItsaZoo]

Sometimes a burrito wrap with a small towel or piece of fleece blanket is helpful. They seem to feel safe when wrapped. Mine was a lap pig, loved sitting on my lap eating lettuce while I had breakfast. Then she would curl up in the blanket and sleep, sometimes for a half hour at a time.

 

[stephybond]

Sometimes a burrito wrap with a small towel or piece of fleece blanket is helpful. They seem to feel safe when wrapped. Mine was a lap pig, loved sitting on my lap eating lettuce while I had breakfast. Then she would curl up in the blanket and sleep, sometimes for a half hour at a time.

Yes I did notice she likes to be wrapped up and that’s the only way she’s comfy and falls asleep .. but that’s sometimes she usually gets unsettled after a few minutes again. :/ she’s has gotten better though. Wish she was a lap baby like yours lol

 

[ItsaZoo]

I had two that were very social, just lost my lap baby a few weeks ago. Today I adopted sisters that are about 4 months old. They were handled a lot, but they really don’t like it. Hopefully they come around.