Depressed or…?

[kokopop]

my male piggie has recently started to sit/lay down facing the corner! i’m worried he’s depressed, but he’s been acting normal despite that. eating and drinking well, still as interested in treats as ever, and doing his popcorns.

we believe it might just be comfortable spot, or because his neighbour, a female piggie just lays there too (as shown in the first pic). it could also be a new position he found comfortable since he likes to lay there in general (pic 3). i want to be cautious about the behaviour, so please share your thoughts and opinions. thank you!

 

[Wheekallweek]

I expect he just wants to be near his neighbour - especially if she is female!

 

[weepweeps]

Is his weight stable? If he’s acting normal and his weight is stable then he just likes his neighbour.

 

[Wiebke]

my male piggie has recently started to sit/lay down facing the corner! i’m worried he’s depressed, but he’s been acting normal despite that. eating and drinking well, still as interested in treats as ever, and doing his popcorns.

we believe it might just be comfortable spot, or because his neighbour, a female piggie just lays there too (as shown in the first pic). it could also be a new position he found comfortable since he likes to lay there in general (pic 3). i want to be cautious about the behaviour, so please share your thoughts and opinions. thank you!

I think that it is the attractive lady next door... Especially with her deliberately stuffing her bum with all the female pheromones in his face, the little tease!

My own piggies often sleep next each other across the bars; even more so singles. It can be both a territorial marker (territorial dominance power lie-in) or a sign of a growing friendship/companionship through the bars. How to interpret it depends on the body language during any interaction they have through the bars and can be a bit tricky.

 

[kokopop]

thank yall for the replies! his weight so far has been stable. glad that it seems he’s just really into his neighbour

 

[Wiebke]

thank yall for the replies! his weight so far has been stable. glad that it seems he’s just really into his neighbour

Sticking his nose into her bum is like having a smell of heaven for him...

If your boy is a single boar, then please allow him full body sight, scent and vocal interaction through the bars but cable tie the dividing grids for safety. They will enjoy the interaction since company is a social need and will prevent any depression.

A single boar has nobody he can fight and fall out with when female sow pheromones from a sow in season hit fully so he can always live next o any number of sows (with or without a neutered 'husboar' of their own).

Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities