My friend takes in rescue pigs and has been doing so for quite a time. They aren't new to caring for pigs in any way. Unfortunately the newest pig in their care won't bond with them. She won't respond to hand feeding or really anything at all. She is very aggressive when approached, and my friend can't even begin to think about trying to introduce her to the other pigs, because she can't even stand humans.
Do you have any suggestions for my friend on how to maybe comfort this anxious guinea pig. Preferably stuff that isn't common knowledge among long time piggy owners.
Hi!
Poor piggy! It sounds like it is very traumatised. Extreme fear/stress can come out either as waxing between being frozen and blind dashes/jumps or as fighting mode (fear-aggression); it depends on the piggy's personality which way they go.
Your friend may find the links below helpful. They explain how guinea pig instincts work; how you can use interactive social behaviours to help remove yourself out of the predator category and how you can help to settle the piggy down by inviting it into your group and tell it that you love it.
This can go a long way to help settle down a piggy but it is always a very slow and gradual process. Having relaxed piggy neighbours to interact with through the bars after quarantine can also help this process along; but in my own experience this can take over a year or even two. There is a chance that a piggy that is too badly traumatised will never be able to leave the horrors of their past behind and that your friend has to work around the sensitive areas.
I have just lost a traumatised ex-toddler's single piggy. While I could give Briallen a happy life over the last 4 1/2 years and she got over her fear of other piggies comparatively easy and even grew into a social intergrator with other problem piggies herself, she never lost her deep-rooted fear of hands. Any picking up/handling in any form always remained a source of high stress for her - even though she'd come to trust me implicitly.
At this stage, you concentrate on making a piggy feel as secure as they can; if necessary have a fleece over the cage. Be hands-off unles piggy whispering and just be a friendly, gently chatting presence that is not pushing too hard. Only ever push up to the limit but not beyond it; respect works both ways. If the piggy freaks out, then give it a day or two regroup and start the process two steps back. It is always a yoyo-ing process but over time the piggy will bounce back more quickly and be taken a little further on the journey.
There is sadly no quick fix. the hardest time is when a piggy is so badly freaked out you cannot get to them in any way. Just getting past that first stage can in extreme cases take some months.
Here are the relevant links that should help with avoiding any predatory behaviours and help your friend to speak 'piggy':
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs (also relevant for traumatised piggies)
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely (won't work with the truly freaked out piggies straight away but they will generally respond better to this method later on once they have learned to trust you because it is a lot less stressful for them once they have caught on)
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Moody guinea pigs: Depression, Bullying, Aggression, Stress, Fear and Antisocial Behaviour
PS: Your friend is welcome to join us themselves if they are looking for ongoing support and practical tips along the way. We have got very experienced members and several rescue fosterers on here.
