Guinea Pig Weight Loss

[Amiee Dalzell]

Hi everyone,
I've been noticing my 4 guinea pigs slowly losing weight over the past weeks
Due to circumstances I havent been able to way them for about 2 1/2 weeks
However I just weighted them this morning and they are all down quite a lot. I have trimmed their fur recently but I dont think this would account for the loss.
What I'm going to try is give them two big hay piles instead of one. Three scoops of pallets instead of two and adding more carrot into their diet.
Has anyone had similar issues? They are all seemingly healthy. I check them over every week and trim their nails etc. They get out to run around constantly and get along together well.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone,
I've been noticing my 4 guinea pigs slowly losing weight over the past weeks
Due to circumstances I havent been able to way them for about 2 1/2 weeks
However I just weighted them this morning and they are all down quite a lot. I have trimmed their fur recently but I dont think this would account for the loss.
What I'm going to try is give them two big hay piles instead of one. Three scoops of pallets instead of two and adding more carrot into their diet.
Has anyone had similar issues? They are all seemingly healthy. I check them over every week and trim their nails etc. They get out to run around constantly and get along together well.

Hi!

How much weight have your piggies actually lost and how old are they? Do you keep them outdoors or indoors and how has the weather been lately? have there been any major changes in temperature?
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight

If they are healthy, then please give them more hay (which should make over 80% of the daily food intake), but do not up the empty calories. If you have access to some fresh dog pee free grass, then that is much better than carrots or pellet junk calories. You should have some lush spring grass at this time of the year.
Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

 

[Claire W]

Please don’t increase the amount of carrot as it is very sugary and can cause more problems. My Ellen has lost weight recently too although she has just recovered from a uti. I am following @Wiebke ’s advise above to try and increase her weight

 

[Amiee Dalzell]

Hi again. Thank you for your replies. My piggies have recently turned 1 year old and have always been on the small side. My biggest piggie is just around 800kg. Giggles, my smallest, is 580g. They are quite petite. They are indoor piggies only but have a massive area to run around in and I let them out everyday. I do not have access to grass as I live in a unit and so dont have a backyard. The temperature had been all over the place lately with really hot and then getting cool again. Could that be it? I dont see how they can be sick as all 4 of them have lost weight.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi again. Thank you for your replies. My piggies have recently turned 1 year old and have always been on the small side. My biggest piggie is just around 800kg. Giggles, my smallest, is 580g. They are quite petite. They are indoor piggies only but have a massive area to run around in and I let them out everyday. I do not have access to grass as I live in a unit and so dont have a backyard. The temperature had been all over the place lately with really hot and then getting cool again. Could that be it? I dont see how they can be sick as all 4 of them have lost weight.

Major temperature swings can cause weight loss. Also make sure that the water bottle is working and that you wash and refill it every day.

Make sure that your piggies have access to unlimited hay at all times; the more hay they eat, the better their overall health and chances for a long life. On a good diet like we recommend they will maximise their genetic potential anyway, no extras needed. When you read the weighing guide, it will tell you how to check the rib area so you can at any age and size tell whether your piggies are a good weight for their individual size or whether they are underweight ('heft'). I have several dainty piggies. Two of them (around 700g or now slightly below) are 7 years old.