Guinea pigs are loosing weight! :(

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

trunky

Joined
Dec 22, 2010
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
hampshire
my piggies are getting quite skinny! i havent had the time to hold them over the past couple of weeks due to full time work and getting home late.. they have been eating all of the food I'm giving them every evening.. tonight i have brought them inside and i havee noticed they have lost a lot of weight!:...:{8... is there anything i can feed them to fatten them up a little? someone told me to give them half of an hard boiled egg each... but i am very hesitant! please please can someone advise me on whatto feed them?
many thanks for reading!
Trunky!
x>>>
 
To fatten them up try porridge oats soaked in warm water aswell as plenty of pellets and hay id be concerned as to why there dropping weight though if there eating plenty. Maybe take them to the vets? Please dont take this the wrong way but are you feeding enough for the amount of pigs you have?
 
they always have their bgurges exel nuggets... their food bowl is never empty.. the same with hay... they alwayw have it... I'm wondering whether the cold can effect their weight?i have just given them some oats with warm water.. but only a teaspoon each... thank you x
 
Is there any way you can have them indoors at all ? I have 18 in my lounge in purpose built pens :x but it means very little gets missed health/behaviour wise.
I'd weigh them daily now and see if it is a gradual loss then if so, would consult a vet for advice. Most will recommend supplementing food.
Do they have two dishes set apart - this allows each piggy to eat without being bullied. I have three large dishes in my herd of girls' (six diva's) pen as they tend to group in pairs at mealtimes but assures me that they've all had enough :))
Keep us updated, we're here to help x>>
 
How well are your piggies protected from the cold and damp? Badly protected guinea pigs will burn a lot of calories in cold weather just to keep clean.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=54309

Please have them checked by a vet to make sure that there is not another problem that is causing the weight loss. Weigh healthy guinea pigs weekly and ill piggies daily.
http://www.guinealynx.info/weigh.html

Also check that the hutch is mice proof and that it is really your piggies eating all the food.

And please NO dairy! Porridge oats are best for added calories.
 
When my guinea pig Charlie came back from the vets, he didn't eat for a while. So I made him porridge (just water and oats) with a bit of carrot and broccoli mashed in. Gross but he loved it.
 
WOW 18 piggletts?! blimey.. sounds like piggy heaven! :O nothing can get into their hutch as the holes are too small.. also.. my grandad made me a wind/waterproof hutch cover that is shut over night to keep damp out! (fab idea!(: ) i only have 2 boys.. and they dont fight over food.. this is why I'm struggling to find the problem to them loosing weight.. :( they are booked in to the vets on friday to have their nails cut and teeth checked so will ask the vet to take closer look! thank you guys for replying! much appreciated! xx>>>
Lennie and Derek loved their oats! :) shall i do the same again tomorrow at about this time?
Trunky
x
 
You could also try giving them some warm bran mash with grated beetroot mixed in - I read on here that it's a good weight builder. Corn on the cobs are great too.
I do think that small weight fluctuations are fairly normal for outside piggies, although losing 'lots of weight' definitely isn't. I do purposely give my 5 lots of extra treats, bran mash, pellets etc. through the winter, to help them cope with the colder weather. In fact, I am always pleased if they enter winter with a little extra padding - since mine started free ranging in a shed (and are getting so much exercise) they are, if anything, on the slender side, so definitely need the extra high calorie treats. :)
 
Keep a check on their weight by weighing them on your kitchen scales

Keep us updated, hope the vet visit goes well :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top