Minor trouble in the cage

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pelicano

pelicano

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I doubt there is anything to be done here, but I thought I'd start a thread in case anyone has any ideas anyway. :)

Holly and Cassie have always got on, but not particularly well. Holly can be a bit of a bully, which Cassie has always been at the brunt of, but she's the sort of pig that probably needs 'keeping in her place' - she's quite a confident sort. After Holly's spay operation, rebonding them wasn't easy, as Cassie decided to stand up to Holly, and got a bite on the bum for her troubles. This was over 6 months ago now.

Anyway, since Sukie died at the end of December, things have been a bit tense in the cage! I've observed them a lot, and at least part of it is Cassie being paranoid! Holly only has to go near her and she squeals and runs away. Also, when Holly gets all excitable and popcorns, Cassie doesn't like that much either.

Holly used to groom Sukie constantly, and I can see that she often wants to groom Cassie. She can't go near Cassie without her squealing though!

So... I can't really see any answer to this. They've been living together for over 3 years, but obviously previously as a group of 3 (I wrote 3-some there, but that just sounded dubious! :))). It's certainly not a terrible situation, and there is no actual fighting. Unfortunately, bringing another piggy into the cage isn't an option, for various reasons.
 
What a shame that Cassie's paranoia is spoiling the friendship. Have you done the 'bathing together' route? Have them on your knee together so Cassie can't run away? I'm sure you have tried most things I'd be able to think of. At least they are not fighting. I hope someone can suggest something to help.
 
Excluding trying to introduce a neutered male (provided they take to him), I agree that a bath is probably the only thing you could try and see whether they will groom each other while drying off. Sadly, you have lost your linchpin in Sukey, and the cracks are showing. Cassie has obviously not forgotten that bite.

If, in the long term, you could find a solution with separating them and pairing each of them with other piggies, that might be the way to go forward and will probably make them happier - like humans, you get some that just have too much history between them to make family meetings easy...!
 
Thanks for the responses. :)

Although I don't think Cassie has forgotten the bite, it's always been a bit like this between them, ie 3 years now! They've had plenty of baths together in the past, but not since Sukie died. Will try that, although I bet Cassie still won't let Holly groom her.

The main reason I can't bring other piggies into the equation is because they have a long standing persistent UTI that has been hanging around for coming up for 3 years now (yes really! rolleyes) They both carry it and it causes problems from time to time, no antibiotics will shift it etc etc. Therefore, I can't risk it spreading to more piggies. This is going to cause so many problems when I'm only left with one pig. :(
 
I'd wondered whether they were your UTI girls... And I can understand why you are reluctant to bring another piggy into the equation under those circumstances.

Sadly, I haven't found a way to MAKE piggies like others they don't get on with well. You just can't - like you can't force humans to like each other!
 
Wiebke said:
I'd wondered whether they were your UTI girls... And I can understand why you are reluctant to bring another piggy into the equation under those circumstances.

Sadly, I haven't found a way to MAKE piggies like others they don't get on with well. You just can't - like you can't force humans to like each other!
Click to expand...

Hah, yes, they are just not really very compatible! rolleyes:)) I want them to go to piggy therapy to wheek over their differences! Can you imagine it, Cassie saying to Holly 'when you come near me I think you want to attack me'! :(|)
 
And Holly answering, "Yes, dear, but that was THEN - not that you didn't FULLY deserve it - but this is NOW! Give yourself a push, and let's make a new start! I promise that I won't bite again!" :)):)):))
 
Wiebke said:
And Holly answering, "Yes, dear, but that was THEN - not that you didn't FULLY deserve it - but this is NOW! Give yourself a push, and let's make a new start! I promise that I won't bite again!" :)):)):))
Click to expand...

:(|)
Actually I think all this is pointing to is that I spend far too much time with my piggies and know them too well! :red:))
 
You care for them deeply and can't help it! (Neither can I!) rolleyes
 
Piggie therapy sounds fabulous. I'll take them for a lesson but I must say it's very expensive I charge £100 an hour! I probably won't find a solution for you either :))!

Oh it sounds like most people hehe :))!
 
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