Keep biting his cage bars

[Kirst817]

Hi everyone!

Tigger is doing really well after the unexpected death of his his cage mate. Unfortunately we haven't been able to get him a friend as he isn't getting on with any others that I have introduced him to.

I have just cleaned his cage and put him in his playpen and the steaky bugger managed to escape out of a hole he has made. I didn't even know until he ran past me lol.

I left him out to have a run whilst I finished doing his cage and left the bar up for him for when he wanted to go back in which he did after a while. He really loved the space and was running and jumping around everywhere.

The only problem I have now is that he keeps biting and pulling at his cage bars. His that his way of telling me he wants to come back out and how can I stop him doing it? I don't want him to hurt himself.

He has already shown me that he isn't very happy with me by throwing his food everywhere.

I have added a picture of his cage. It was clean and tidy 30 minutes ago but he likes to make a mess straight away lol.

Sorry this is so long.
Thanks

 

[Piggies&buns]

Piggies chew bars for a variety of reasons - hungry, for attention, just because they like doing it, as a sign that they want to come out etc.

What I would say though is to keep trying to find a friend - it simply comes down to character compatibility and it’s a case of keep trying until the right one is found.

How big is the cage? It doesn’t look quite big enough, certainly not if you are able to find him a friend.

 

[alpacasqueak]

My Luigi is a massive bar biter, it can be set off by anything really, excitement, boredness, or just waiting around when I’m not chopping veg fast enough! This morning getting a carrier sorted for one of his cagemates for the vets set him off so probably a bit of stress too.
I definitely agree your cage looks small, especially for males. Luigi’s quite a forceful boy and after his start with his bro (who he turned on and had to be separated from) he’s doing much better after neutering and with females, but still a massive bar biter! Some do it, some don’t I've found!
Definitely a good idea to get a bigger cage before anything else though, def would be tension in such small a cage with pigs. Definitely with boars too.
Cage Size Guide

 

[Kirst817]

He has only just started doing it after he went back in his cage after running around.

Yes I had a big cage for him but it was a wooden one and he ended up chewing on it until the nails we're sticking out, so I had to get rid and this is the spare cage that he is in. I will be getting another one in a couple of weeks (payday) lol.

I have took him to a few rescue centres that let me bring Tigger to see if he will bond with any of the ones they have but no luck yet.

 

[Piggies&buns]

He probably wanted to stay out then!
Good luck with finding him a friend - it will happen but it can take meeting several piggies before the right one is found.

 

[Kirst817]

Yes he must just be being picky lol.

Would it be worth neutering him and getting him a female?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes he must just be being picky lol.

Would it be worth neutering him and getting him a female?

The right friend still comes down to character compatibility and mutual liking whether it be with another boar or a sow but when the right sow is found, boar/sow pairings tend to be more stable. So, neutering him would open up other options to him in finding a friend. If you have a good experienced vet who could carry out the neutering, then it may well be exploring. Don’t forget, that if you do have him neutered, he needs to stay away from any females for six weeks after his operation to ensure he is no longer fertile.

 

[Kirst817]

Ok thanks.

I will have a think and speak to my vets and maybe if I can't find him a compatible boar then I will think about neutering him an d finding a compatible sow for him after the 6 weeks.

 

[alpacasqueak]

It’s totally up to you in the long run, I adopted Luigi when he’d just been neutered and had to be apart from other pigs for weeks. But from his behaviour I know he wouldn’t do well with other males as he’s too dominant, ladies however he can’t ignore and he’s much better! They tell him and he listens, which wouldn’t happen with a boy around!
I love boars, you can find great matches that get on for years! But also the opposite like my lad, would never dream of trying to bond him with another male, know it’d be a disaster! It’s all down to the personality of the piggy and everything else other great people have said above He loves his ladies, but sure if I tried to change that now he'd be a very different pig!