Guinea pig weight loss?

[ipparkk22]

Hello,
My boy is about 2 years maybe a little more or less, and over the past 5 days he's lost about 26 grams. He's still within the healthy range for a male guinea pig (He's 1169 grams) but I'm concerned about the sudden weight loss. He been idle the past few days however his stools look normal and he's been eating fairly normally, perhaps a little less than usual. I'm very scared, since I've lost 3 guinea pigs that started off with these symptoms. His diet consists of always having hay, 1 vitamin C tablet a day, and assorted veggies (usually apple, carrots, beans or kale but it often chsnges with stuff like parsley, cucumber, capsicum) We're taking him to be wormed in a few days. I really help you guys can tell me whats going on

 

[PigglePuggle]

Hi, the weight loss sounds very minor and not a cause for concern, 30g is within the range of normal daily fluctuations- only if more than 50g is lost in a week might be a concern. The diet you feed sounds to contain rather too much sugary food, carrot and apple should be fed less than once a week, and kale and parsley are high calcium foods so should also be fed less often- once or twice a week. Cucumber and peppers are fine as every day foods.
Guinea pigs rarely suffer from worms and do not usually need deworming, especially not routinely- has a vet diagnosed worms?
A vet check is always a good idea if you are concerned about your guinea pigs health, especially if you have recently lost other guinea pigs, but the weight loss you mention is not itself any cause for concern x

 

[ipparkk22]

Hi, the weight loss sounds very minor and not a cause for concern, 30g is within the range of normal daily fluctuations- only if more than 50g is lost in a week might be a concern. The diet you feed sounds to contain rather too much sugary food, carrot and apple should be fed less than once a week, and kale and parsley are high calcium foods so should also be fed less often- once or twice a week. Cucumber and peppers are fine as every day foods.
Guinea pigs rarely suffer from worms and do not usually need deworming, especially not routinely- has a vet diagnosed worms?
A vet check is always a good idea if you are concerned about your guinea pigs health, especially if you have recently lost other guinea pigs, but the weight loss you mention is not itself any cause for concern x

Thank you very much, I really appreciate it. We're doing a grocery shop tomorrow so I'm really trying to feed him what we've got. Can you give me a list of good veggies for him that can be fed everyday? I was really scared it could have been from neglect or something - I try to spend alot of time with him and his cage is in a relatively high traffic part of the house. He is a solo piggy, and unfortunately will probably be my last one (as much as i've enjoyed piggies - i get heartbroken really easily and loosing 3 piggies young from digestive issues has taken a bashing on me and I would much rather a long term pet, like my parrot who will live up to 30 years) but they're such GORGEOUS creatures and I love him to pieces so I'm very cautious when anything - weight or behaviour fluctuates.

 

[Piggies&buns]

The links below should help
Daily safe veggies include coriander, lettuce, cucumber, bell peppers. You can then rotate in and out other veggies on the lists below for variety

Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
Edible And Forbidden Veg And Fruit List With Vitamin C Grading

 

[ipparkk22]

how

Thank you very much, I really appreciate it. We're doing a grocery shop tomorrow so I'm really trying to feed him what we've got. Can you give me a list of good veggies for him that can be fed everyday? I was really scared it could have been from neglect or something - I try to spend alot of time with him and his cage is in a relatively high traffic part of the house. He is a solo piggy, and unfortunately will probably be my last one (as much as i've enjoyed piggies - i get heartbroken really easily and loosing 3 piggies young from digestive issues has taken a bashing on me and I would much rather a long term pet, like my parrot who will live up to 30 years) but they're such GORGEOUS creatures and I love him to pieces so I'm very cautious when anything - weight or behaviour fluctuates.

how about brocolli

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s fine to be fed, but not daily. It can cause gas in some piggies

 

[Siikibam]

Hi. Sorry to hear about your previous losses. How long has your boy been alone? Considering his age and the fact they he could reach 7 years, that’s a very long time for him to be alone. No amount of human interaction can replace having the constant company of another piggy.

Perhaps you could foster a piggy to keep him company until he passes? That would be one way of ‘breaking the cycle’ so to speak.

As for the advise on weight and diet, as above. I would also take him to the vet for a general health check.

 

[Piggies&buns]

It is difficult if you want to stop the piggy cycle, but he is very young to be facing spending the rest of his life alone. It’s good that you can give him a lot of time and interaction but, as above, it does not replace a friend of his own kind.

 

[ipparkk22]

It is difficult if you want to stop the piggy cycle, but he is very young to be facing spending the rest of his life alone. It’s good that you can give him a lot of time and interaction but, as above, it does not replace a friend of his own kind.

Thank you. I believe my last piggie passed in Febuary, so 10 months. Are there any fostering services you know of in Australia?

 

[hrsrdr]

On an unrelated note to the other advice, you could try feeding him more hay, or fruit with more sugar, such as blackberries.

 

[Siikibam]

Thank you. I believe my last piggie passed in Febuary, so 10 months. Are there any fostering services you know of in Australia?

I’m sorry I can’t help you with that one. There are a couple of members on here from Australia. I’ll tag @Hannah_xx

I’m wondering if the weight loss could POSSIBLY (not meaning to shout ☺) be due to loneliness. Just a thought....

Also, you should try and feed coriander and pepper daily rather than a vitamin c tablet. Those veg are a good source of vitamin c.

We’d also love to see a photo of your boy

On an unrelated note to the other advice, you could try feeding him more hay, or fruit with more sugar, such as blackberries.

He shouldn’t be fed fruit with more sugar. It’s not a good thing to feed regularly.

 

[ipparkk22]

I’m sorry I can’t help you with that one. There are a couple of members on here from Australia. I’ll tag @Hannah_xx

I’m wondering if the weight loss could POSSIBLY (not meaning to shout ☺) be due to loneliness. Just a thought....

Also, you should try and feed coriander and pepper daily rather than a vitamin c tablet. Those veg are a good source of vitamin c.

We’d also love to see a photo of your boy ☺

He shouldn’t be fed fruit with more sugar. It’s not a good thing to feed regularly.

I'm super angry because mum and dad are refusing to try and find another piggie as company, saying I need to "give him more attention" no matter how hard I try to explain that I can't replace a guinea pig. This is him

 

[Siikibam]

Ooh he’s a handsome boy
Sorry you’re struggling to convince your parents. I’m afraid I don’t know what you can do if they’ve refused. Sad but

 

[ipparkk22]

Ooh he’s a handsome boy
Sorry you’re struggling to convince your parents. I’m afraid I don’t know what you can do if they’ve refused. Sad but ☹

My cousins own 2 boars... would a mind of "play date" work? They don't have to be in the same area to avoid fights, just put the cages near each OTHER so they can smell and talk and see each OTHER?

 

[ipparkk22]

I

My cousins own 2 boars... would a mind of "play date" work? They don't have to be in the same area to avoid fights, just put the cages near each OTHER so they can smell and talk and see each OTHER?

I've also just realised that it could be due to heat. It's currently 31° Celsius in Australia so I've turned on the fan in the room he's in. I'm guessing that could be it because he hasn't really moved from one spot today. He's currently snacking on some hay

 

[Hannah_xx]

Hi there! I’m also from Australia, I’m in Victoria.
My guess would certainly be the heat, it’s been awfully hot here lately. my aircon isn’t cut out for this heat so unfortunately it’s still hot in my cottage and my piggies are flaked out most of the day. They all seem to be coping okay, but it’s not ideal.
So be sure to keep your piggie as cool as possible, frozen water bottles wrapped in a towel can be nice for them to rest against. Aircon on if you have it, and a fan to get some air movement.

You could perhaps look up if you have any local guinea pig rescues in your area, they may consider fostering you a friend for your boy

 

[Siikibam]

I

My cousins own 2 boars... would a mind of "play date" work? They don't have to be in the same area to avoid fights, just put the cages near each OTHER so they can smell and talk and see each OTHER?

Hmm I wouldn’t simply because it wouldn’t be a permanent arrangement. Once he goes home he will still be missing that company.
I would do as suggested above and look for local rescues.

 

[Piggies&buns]