Change of temperament

[Whiplash]

I have a boar who is nearly 2. Since I got him he has lived in my bedroom and has always been a real 'mammys boy'. Since I started working full time about a month ago I was worried about him becoming lonely so I moved him downstairs near my 1 year old boar. They have been great company for each other but the older boys temperament has completely changed.

He doesn't seem to enjoy coming out for cuddles anymore. He head butts me and cries until I put him back in. At first I thought it was because he was afraid that I was going to move him back upstairs away from his new friend but after a month surely that couldn't still be an issue? Any ideas of what I can try to get him back to his old self? I don't particularly like this new attitude

 

[Beautifulmess]

What do you mean by he cries?
I have a similar problem, i didn't think perhaps starting to work could be it, people have suggested mites on my post which is below yours. He's my very tame pig but is suddenly biting and chatting whenever I go near him. The best thing to do for yours is, reintroduce yourself, always feed them veggies when your near the cage, have some when your handling him until he realises your something yummy

 

[Whiplash]

He sort of whines at me for a while and then starts throwing a little hissey fit! He jumps around on me, head butting and making a screeching noise. I don't think he could have mites. He's a long hair so I do check him regularly. I'll give the veggies a try. He does get them everyday but not while he's out with me because I never needed to bribe him to like me before this!

 

[first_time_piggie_mum]

it could just be that he is unhappy at being separated from his new friend.

Up until you moved him downstairs, he was on his own with you for companionship. Now he has a friend of his own kind, he is probably a happier pig ( no offence to you at all, but they do prefer the company of other pigs)

If you move him back upstairs now he will most likely become depressed at being separated from your younger boar.

Dont be upset that hes not enjoying cuddles anymore, it just shows how happy he is to have a piggy friend |)

 

[Shellza]

I agree with first_time_piggie_mum he is probably enjoying the company of his new piggy friend. He would have depended on you a lot previously for companionship, but now he has a piggy companion he doesn't require your attention so much. He will be happier with a piggy friend

 

[Lilly]

From my experience I believe Shellza and first_time_piggie_mum are correct. My boy Hazelnut lived alone for 7 months and was very fond of cuddling into the crook of my arm or onto my shoulder for hours on end. When we introduced him to baby Peanut Butter that changed. So now I just get them both out for lap time cuddles at the same time, spend a few minutes handfeeding vegie treats and then both will lay flat out looking up at me to advise that it is time to stroke them. When PB has to go to the vet once a month for his dental work Hazelnut becomes his old cuddly self with me so I know now that his previous clinging to me was becasue he had no piggie companion.