EXTREMELY Skittish

[Carol D]

About two weeks ago I separated my piggies because of very bad bonding issues. Both of them were constantly trying to dominate each other and overall I think that one of them just didn't like the other. Taking advice, I put each one in a 120cm cage and have the two cages side by side. It appeared that everything was going ok and both piggies were well adjusted to their new environments. For the past few days one piggie who is named Peanut has been EXTREMLY skittish and will try to hide in her hay and not come out of her hideys. Even if I am about 3-4 feet away she will act the same. She eats but not like she would normally do. Also, she popcorns all over the cage every now and than. So I don't know if it could be a health issue.

Today, I noticed that my other piggie who is named Buttercup has been growling at the bars of the cage where both of them are the closest together. She has never done this before. Peanut is constantly going to that side of the cage and chews the bars. Also, I noticed that she chews on quite a bit of things in her cage such as her hidey and anything that is made of fabric. She has even started to chew up my clothing when I hold her. Could this behavior be the result from Buttercup not being too happy with her? I don't know what to do at this point in time. Do I need to block the cages where the two come together? I am clueless and just feel so heartbroken that Peanut is going through this. Please, if someone can help I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Siikibam]

It may be she was just braver when she lived together with Buttercup. Chewing on things is normal piggy behaviour. I would make sure she has some cardboard in the cage, and other enrichment (see link below). Chewing your clothes could be a sign that she wants to be put back in her cage.

As for Buttercup it may be she is in season or is just marking her territory. If the bar chewing is a bit much you could put some cardboard on the divide for a short while. Hopefully when you remove it she would have calmed down.
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

 

[Carol D]

Thank you so much for your reply. It has been a few days now and Buttercup is not rumble strutting anymore so I was hoping that things would iron itself out. Unfortunately, Peanut is still unbelievably skittish. She dives right into her hay when I approach her cage or hides away inside of her hidey. When she does this it is impossible to get her to come out. Other than this she seems to be OK. There is no problem with her eating and she still popcorns at feeding times. The one thing that I did notice was that she has been going to the bathroom less than before. I provide her with an abundant amount of greens and vegetables during the day plus of course hay. All of this has been happening for a week+. There was never a problem with her in the past. She was just skittish normally as guinea pigs can tend to be. At this point in time I do cover up her cage a little bit during the day. She will come out of hiding when this is done. I don't know if there is any advice that you can give me but I figured I would take a shot anyway. Thanks so much for your time.

 

[Siikibam]

You’ll just have to be patient I’m afraid. Hopefully she will come out her shell a little more but that may just be her character. Make sure greens and veg and kept to a cup or 50g a day. She needs more hay than she needs ‘extra’ veg and greens.

 

[Piggies&buns]

She may be naturally more scared. It has taken a long long time (years) for my most shy piggy to become more confident (and he still isnt as confident as the other one).
Supplying ‘abundant amount of vegetables’ isn’t a good thing. Just one cup or 50g a day is enough.

 

[Flutterby]

Patience if definitely key, give her time and she will come around. Like others have said though this doesn't mean she will be a cuddly pig after she gains confidence. They are each their own little characters!