He completely changed behavior, I'm very worried.

[Pickles]

Hi everyone. It's been a long time since I've been here, I don't really have time to post but I love seeing pictures. I'm posting because I'm concerned by my piggy's behavior. I've had him for 4-5 months now and he was a very happy little piggy, very nice to handle and very affectionnate. Recently, I had to go on vacation and my grandparents gladly kept him at their house for two weeks. They said everything went really well and that he was happy and everything.

It was great but when I brought him back home, I realized that his behavior had changed completely. He used to love cuddling on my knees and he used to love being pet but he doesn't anymore. When I try to pet him, he backs away and when I take him in my arms he struggles and wants to go away. He doesn't seem to appreciate contact anymore. Before, he didn't like to be picked up, but I could pet him and then lift him without him running away. Now he runs away when he sees my hand, he doesn't even want to be touched anymore. I don't want to force him but I'm kindda worried he might be sick or something. He still eats a lot and seems to do okay when he is in his cage.

If you have any advice, I would love to hear them... I'm completely lost and alarmed by this sudden change. Is it possible that he is not happy I left him with my grand parents so he is trying to show it? Or is it something else? Does he have trouble adjusting to my home again? It's already been 3 weeks since he got back home and it took him less time to adjust when I got him in the first place...

 

[Doeylicious]

He could be hitting the hormones...Dodge was the most cuddly, lovely boy when he was a bubby. Then he hit 'piggy puberty' and hated me for a few months, didn't like cuddles, he was being a rampant man pig!

Now he has calmed down again tho is not as cuddly as he was. He also has a wifey now so I don't blame him for preferring to cuddle her really!

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Inclined to agree with Doeylicious - sounds hormonal (and coincidental)
My boys have weeks of hating me fussing them then are ok for a while :{ They're 7.5 months btw.
Worse than women with PMT |)

 

[Christina]

He could be just mad at you. Give it sometime and everything will be fine.

When I went away for schooling and left my critter with my fiance, she was all in a ****y mood because I would leave monday to friday. Come home friday night and leave sunday. She only calmed down and was extremely happy when he got 2 weeks off and she and my fiance came to stay with me at my mum and dad's place. Then afterwards she was again ****y because I left her.

As well as it could be hormonal but if you give it a few weeks then he will be ok. My advice is to continue holding him and telling him your back and everything is ok. Eventually he will calm down.

 

[Pickles]

Oh thank you so much for helping me out! What should I do in the meantime? Do you think I should keep trying to hold him and pet him even if he doesn't want to (without forcing of course) or kindda leave him alone and give him some space? I feel like I should be trying and trying but every time it's hard for me since he really doesn't want to be bothered and he tries to get away all the time :0

 

[Becky92]

could you meet him half way ? putting him on a cushion and stroking him maybe ?

i wouldnt stop close contact as it might be hard to get it back.

maybe trying to tempt him with treats ( veg ) to get to come to you xx