Spooked Piggy

[Alfieboy]

so last night i had Alfie on my knee when he moved and made me jump as it tickled! He then jumped also and seemed a bit on edge. I Gave him lots of cuddles, a few treats and he seemed okay. When i went to put him something gave him another fright and he raced straight into his little igloo. He would usually love going in to his fresh cage, full bowl and lots of hay but he wouldnt come out the igloo and didnt eat his food. When i got up this morning i noticed his food was untouched and when i went to hand feed him he took it straight away. So i put a pile of food and hay next to his door and he ate it all. Hes been out on 3 occasions today and hes seemed happy and his usual self, eating plenty, playingetc. When i put him back in tonight he again got a fright and ran straight into the igloo.no idea what scared him as no changes to vetbed, food, toys etc. He is cleaned every day as always. Worried about him! How long can this last for?

 

[Wiebke]

so last night i had Alfie on my knee when he moved and made me jump as it tickled! He then jumped also and seemed a bit on edge. I Gave him lots of cuddles, a few treats and he seemed okay. When i went to put him something gave him another fright and he raced straight into his little igloo. He would usually love going in to his fresh cage, full bowl and lots of hay but he wouldnt come out the igloo and didnt eat his food. When i got up this morning i noticed his food was untouched and when i went to hand feed him he took it straight away. So i put a pile of food and hay next to his door and he ate it all. Hes been out on 3 occasions today and hes seemed happy and his usual self, eating plenty, playingetc. When i put him back in tonight he again got a fright and ran straight into the igloo.no idea what scared him as no changes to vetbed, food, toys etc. He is cleaned every day as always. Worried about him! How long can this last for?

Something is obviously triggering a prey animal instinct. Can you place a fleece over the top of the cage to give him a feeling of safety? I can just be something like a spider or a noise out of our own hearing range.
Otherwise, time is a healer; it can take several days for a badly spooked piggy's instincts to settle down. As long as he is calming down and eating the next day, I would not worry.