One thing we’ve learned from Oscar is that mini pigs have definite moods. Oscar has times when he’s curious, some when he’s happy and playful, and others when he is just plain grumpy and inconsolable.
Many of his moods depend on if he’s had enough sleep or when he ate his last meal, but some are random. For example, we went through a week recently where every other day was a grumpy day. We would have a fun day with him and then wake up the next day to a crabby, squealing pig. It was frustrating because we were putting in a lot of time and effort to bond with him and make him feel safe in our home, and we would randomly wake up to a pig who seemed to hate us. (In a low point, I did an internet search for “why does my mini pig hate me”).
What I’ve learned is that Oscar just has moods, some wonderful and some not so great. In our house, we joke that after 8 pm is like spinning Oscar’s wheel of moods because that’s when he gets tired, grumpy, and less predictable overall.
I used to panic during these grumpy times and worry it was a personality issue or that he was unhappy, but I no longer stress about his grumpy fits. It doesn’t mean that we’re regressing in our bond or our training. Frankly, he most likely needs a nap or to go to bed. His grumpy moments are when I remind myself that he’s still a baby and needs some extra love and patience and then I can laugh at his adorable grumpy face instead of getting upset.
I’m actually very glad to read this as I’ve just adopted 2 grown pot bellied pigs who seem to have some moods as well. I actually started this search with the words “my pig doesn’t like me”… lol
I have a pbp named Will who was given to me by his previous family who did not wish to keep him. He’s probably around six or seven now. He was very traumatized here and lunged at me all the time, not really full force, but enough to tell me he’s not in the mood for anything, just left alone, food,water and soft straw bed to sleep. Years gone by and he is still not the happiest boy but much better yet still super sensitive and on occasion, snaps at me. I have another boy, Whitey, also given up by previous family and also terribly traumatized at first, but now he is a lovey dovey boy who’d stay on his side for eternity if I scratched him that long. Whitey is jealous and does pick on Will, who I feed separately and who sleeps in his own stall at night. They both came to Rooterville Animal Sanctuary with me last winter for five months. OMG what an adjustment for both of them to integrate with 30 other pbp, who gave them so much shit for a month, bloodied their ears and sides, before it stopped and they settled into their sleeping quarters on opposite sides of a huge area called the back yard, enclosed with several barns, pnut hay feeders, and a back porch attached to the owners home where I lived. They did awesome traveling and in early June, I drove back to NH with them. I love them so…