Best Foods To Put Weight On A Gp

[Mamaguineapig]

Hi everyone , our 5 1/2 year old boar Rumple hasn't been well recently and is currently finishing a course of anti biotics (baytri) for a URI . He also recently had a little dental work done for an overlapping tooth. Thankfully he seems to be getting a bit better although he isn't eating quite as normal yet and we are hand feeding him (due to tooth rather than URI we think) Anyway he has lost quite a bit of weight and I was wondering if anyone knew the best kind of food to help him put on weight quickly. Obviously he is getting the usual dried foods , hay etc ... but just wondering if there was a Guinea pig "super food" to help plump him up . He has been visiting the vet etc . Sorry for such a long post and happy New year !

 

[DM030819]

How much does he weigh now, and how much did he weigh before?

My boar has lost a bit of weight a few times this year and although he's not gained it all back he's slowly put some on just from eating properly again.

Sometimes it's better for an older pig to be bit smaller than they were so it doesn't cause excess weigh on their joints. My boar was 1.4kg at his heaviest, 1.2kg when he had a bladder operation and is now 1.1kg. The vet prefers him at the lower weight as it helps his arthritis.

 

[TAN]

My piggy savvy vet suggests pear (as it's lower in sugar than grapes etc ) and a bit of apple - not too much apple in case it affects the lips and gives him / her chelitis (not sure how you spell it ) some oats soaked in a bit of apple juice (if they will eat it ) and some recovery food if they like it (my old lady loves it - and nice and easy to eat after a dental)

 

[Mamaguineapig]

How much does he weigh now, and how much did he weigh before?

My boar has lost a bit of weight a few times this year and although he's not gained it all back he's slowly put some on just from eating properly again.

Sometimes it's better for an older pig to be bit smaller than they were so it doesn't cause excess weigh on their joints. My boar was 1.4kg at his heaviest, 1.2kg when he had a bladder operation and is now 1.1kg. The vet prefers him at the lower weight as it helps his arthritis.[/QUOTE

Thanks , he was weighed on the 29th at the vet and he was only 0.75 kg - exceptionally low for him . I took his "twin" along to the vets with him to keep him company and he weighed in at 1.4kg . They are Swiss guineas and have always been big boars so this weight loss has been scary!

 

[Mamaguineapig]

My piggy savvy vet suggests pear (as it's lower in sugar than grapes etc ) and a bit of apple - not too much apple in case it affects the lips and gives him / her chelitis (not sure how you spell it ) some oats soaked in a bit of apple juice (if they will eat it ) and some recovery food if they like it (my old lady loves it - and nice and easy to eat after a dental)

Thank you , I will give the oats a go ! At the moment the only real thing her is munching is the centre of cucumber popped out of a straw! Cucumber doesn't have much nutritional value but I've been happy that he has at least eaten this. He is however choking every now and again as I think he is just swallowing the little chunks without chewing them properly. Hopefully by tomorrow he will be eating a bit more tomorrow .

 

[Adelle]

Thank you , I will give the oats a go ! At the moment the only real thing her is munching is the centre of cucumber popped out of a straw! Cucumber doesn't have much nutritional value but I've been happy that he has at least eaten this. He is however choking every now and again as I think he is just swallowing the little chunks without chewing them properly. Hopefully by tomorrow he will be eating a bit more tomorrow .

The best thing for weight gain is just to get the original problem managed.. You won't really get anywhere with high calorie foods when there is still an issue with eating.

If he's swallowing food without chewing it properly then he may still have a dental problem or just not recovered from it yet. How long ago was his dental work? Was his back teeth checked? Is he on any pain relief?

Since he isn't eating properly please start syringe feeding him critical care or mushed up pellets- this should help stabilise his weight until he's fully recovered.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

All the best x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone , our 5 1/2 year old boar Rumple hasn't been well recently and is currently finishing a course of anti biotics (baytri) for a URI . He also recently had a little dental work done for an overlapping tooth. Thankfully he seems to be getting a bit better although he isn't eating quite as normal yet and we are hand feeding him (due to tooth rather than URI we think) Anyway he has lost quite a bit of weight and I was wondering if anyone knew the best kind of food to help him put on weight quickly. Obviously he is getting the usual dried foods , hay etc ... but just wondering if there was a Guinea pig "super food" to help plump him up . He has been visiting the vet etc . Sorry for such a long post and happy New year !

Hi! The best way of feeding him up again is a nutritionally well balanced fibre based General diet. At his Age, he is no longer putting on weight well, so it is better to contrate on General health and Fitness. Feeding too much energy dense sugar and fat laden Foods is not conducive to Long term health, to be honest. The bulk of hois diet should be up to 80% hay and grass. It is the silica in them that is responsible for the wearing down of the crucial premolars and generally gut and Long term health.
Mushed pellets and thinly sliced or grated veg and can help to get a dental Guinea pig chewing again.

Please be Aware that you your Boy may Need a second round of dental Treatment to help him to chew evenly for the Long term. @furryfriends (TEAS)

Our Syringe feeding guide has a dental section, it also contains tips for probiotics and poo soup to help rebalance th guts again after a course of antibiotics: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
Recommendations For A Balanced General Guinea Pig Diet