Guinea pigs are a bit skinny

[Vixxyy15]

What should I try and feed more of to fatten them up?

 

[Lady Kelly]

Short answer is no. Fattening foods are not good for them, they should get all they need from their hay with a small amount of pellets and veg daily. Hay should be 80% of their diet

What is the issue? Have they lost weight? Or are they not growing as quick as you expected? How old are your piggies?

 

[Vixxyy15]

around 6 and 2. They just seem to be skinnier than most guinea pigs I see. Is there any veg I should feed more of? They usually get different lettuce, peppers and sometimes celery and cucumber (of course it changes depending on day). They have hay all the time too.

 

[Siikibam]

Are they skinny in terms of weight or heft (feel)?

 

[Claire W]

My Ellen used to weigh 1160g in her prime. She’s now weighing around 900g but she has a good heft on her and my vet can’t find anything wrong.

If you’re concerned at all, please see a vet and switch to weighing them daily at the same time in the food cycle

 

[Lady Kelly]

I've had healthy adult pigs ranging from 850g to 1300g. A healthy diet and heft is best. This means being able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat. I would only be worried if they were gradually losing weight or suddenly losing weight. As for your 6 year old it's quite common for elderly pigs to lose a little fat too as they get older

 

[Flutterby]

 

[Vixxyy15]

Thank you for the replies! I was just a little worried I was underfeeding them or something but I'm pretty confident I am feeding enough

 

[Wiebke]

What should I try and feed more of to fatten them up?

Hi!

Fatty junk food will come off as quickly as it goes on and it shortens the life span. Be aware that many pet piggies are sadly overweight so it can well be that yours are simply the perfect weight!

Please take the time to read these two guides below. They tell you exactly how you can judge whether your piggies are a good weight for their individual size ('heft') or whether they are really underweight. Be aware that at 6 years old, your pensioner's bones will be more prominent but he should have still enough flesh on ribs if he is healthy in himself.
Weight - Monitoring and Management
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

 

[Camisla]

I have a wee petit piggie and a chubster! They both have a really healthy appetite. I think like most species you get all variations