Potties Like Mad When I Hold Her

[R Dorothy]

So I haven't had Dahlia and Iris for long. Right now I'm working on getting them used to being picked up, but it's not going so well. At least Iris is a darling little snuggle bug outside of the cage once I get her, but Dahlia isn't. I was just wondering if she's doing it out of fear or what the deal is.

Shortly after I pick Dahlia up she becomes super jittery, which I think is because she has to potty. Iris will just calmly go on the towel, and it's not usually very much, but Dahlia poos like crazy as she's trying to get away. This has happened every time I've gotten her out of the cage. Is there anything I can do to help her mellow out? Is she doing this because she's scared or something else?

 

[MargaretB]

Not sure how long you've had them. Maybe they need more time to settle into their surroundings before being handled too much. One of my girls always wees on me if I cuddle her too long, but she's not nervous and seems to enjoy her cuddles. Maybe it's her way of telling me she's ready to go back in her cage and it works!

 

[R Dorothy]

Not sure how long you've had them. Maybe they need more time to settle into their surroundings before being handled too much. One of my girls always wees on me if I cuddle her too long, but she's not nervous and seems to enjoy her cuddles. Maybe it's her way of telling me she's ready to go back in her cage and it works!

Dahlia doesn't even really seem to enjoy it. I just take her out, she looks around and chatters a little, then goes into potty mode.

 

[Wiebke]

Please remember that piggies are not born as pets; some simply don't like being petted. With patience and persistence you can get there, but take it slowly. Pet shop piggies don't have much in the way of human interaction before they are sold.

 

[R Dorothy]

I am aware of that and she's wasn't a pet shop pig; someone had a pregnant piggy and I took two from the litter. The family interacted with them. I'm just asking this questions since I always worry when I encounter new piggy behavior maybe it's something bad. I still remember with Scuzzy when I freaked out over his "boar glue" since I had no idea what it was.

 

[Jess]

I find with my two is having a blanket for them to hide in helps. But Pecan is a nightmare with peeing, she'll lay me all content and warmth... A lot of warmth... Both of mine were pet shop bought and took time to settle them in at first.