Do they need to diet?

thebiscuitpigs

thebiscuitpigs

Junior Guinea Pig
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I recently adopted a herd of 4 girls, two of who are most definitely very overweight, one could stand to lose a touch of weight and the last pig is looking okay body condition wise.
In terms of feeding, is just feeding them a normal balanced diet okay or do I need to do anything different to help them lose a bit? From what I’ve seen it’s down to overfeeding pellets (their food bowl was always kept full) and a huge lack of exercise (all four were together in a 120 p@h cage)

The largest pig is the dominant one and I’ve noticed she runs around taking everyone’s food so I’ve been feeding her separately to make sure she doesn’t eat more than her share! I’ve also bought a treat ball today to use for some of their pellets to encourage them to move, as well as scatter feeding any veg.
 
I adopted 2 pigs in March and the vet said one was overweight. I asked what I could do about it she said get them in the outdoor run up their movement. However by feeding what is recommended of the 1 tablespoon of nuggets, hay and a cup of veggies per pig per day - and monitoring who was getting what - the overweight one dropped 100g pretty fast (to the point i was alarmed). I also noticed my overweight dominant boar liked the higher sugar veg like red pepper, toms, a grape etc and the sow wouldnt touch it. So I cut this right down so he was only getting one occasional helping. This forum recommends scatter feeding but I find 2 bowls far apart works well for me but I monitor whats going on. My dominant boar would hog all the food if allowed, like your dominant sow.
So although I'm also a new owner my experience is if you do exactly what you are suggesting the weight should start to come off your overweight piggies.
 
Rumblestiltskin said:
I adopted 2 pigs in March and the vet said one was overweight. I asked what I could do about it she said get them in the outdoor run up their movement. However by feeding what is recommended of the 1 tablespoon of nuggets, hay and a cup of veggies per pig per day - and monitoring who was getting what - the overweight one dropped 100g pretty fast (to the point i was alarmed). I also noticed my overweight dominant boar liked the higher sugar veg like red pepper, toms, a grape etc and the sow wouldnt touch it. So I cut this right down so he was only getting one occasional helping. This forum recommends scatter feeding but I find 2 bowls far apart works well for me but I monitor whats going on. My dominant boar would hog all the food if allowed, like your dominant sow.
So although I'm also a new owner my experience is if you do exactly what you are suggesting the weight should start to come off your overweight piggies.
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Thank you both! Hopefully lots of encouragement to exercise and a proper diet should sort them out then🤞
 
Chloe04 said:
Thank you both! Hopefully lots of encouragement to exercise and a proper diet should sort them out then🤞
Click to expand...


I think you’re right - a small cage meant not lots of space to run about in etc
Scattering veggies and pellets is a great way to encourage their natural behaviour and ensures everyone gets a bit 🥰
Treat ball , tubes stuffed with hay etc all make it more fun
 
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