Help! My guniea pig refuses to eat critical care.

[Xiaoxiao]

As I mentioned before, I had a guniea pig who is on antibiotics for URI right now. He did not eat. So I had the critical care ready for him. But he seems uncomfortable for the position that I feed him and refuse to eat it!

 

[Bill & Ted]

Have you read the syringe feeding guide. It takes a bit of practice, if you hold the piggie with his back into your tummy and your hand supporting his jaw, use the other hand to syringe a little at a time. There is a gap between the front teeth and back where you can get gently place the syringe, use your thumb to gently help pop it in. Good luck, keep a record of his weight daily too x
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[DougalandDiego]

I would seek the advice from somebody that is more experienced but I’ve heard people mixing in baby food (carrot or fruit flavour - something that is safe for guinea pigs) to try and encourage them to eat critical care?
Hope this helps!

 

[Swissgreys]

I am afraid that sometimes you just need to be firm and get it done.
I have had piggies who have sat calmly on my lap and happily eaten critical care willingly, and I have had others that I have had to wrap in a towel and simply hold their mouth open while I push the food (slowly and at the correct angle to avoid chocking/aspiration) in.
Read the guide linked above for more tips, but not all guinea pigs love critical care.

 

[Bill & Ted]

My Ted absolutely hated it, I fed him for 6 weeks, it was a real trial, but you have to be firm because it’s the only way to keep them alive if they can’t eat by themselves. Bill loves critical care and will snatch the syringe out of your hand to get at it. Don’t give in, be firm but careful x

 

[Merab]

I had to wrap Micah in a towel and mix some mashed banana into his Critical Care

 

[Gem789]

I had to wrap Micah in a towel and mix some mashed banana into his Critical Care

He looks so cute, especially in that 2nd pic

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I do a lot of syringe feeding when piggies arrive here at TEAS, but I never use Critical Care. I mush up their normal guinea pig nuggets, by putting boiling water over them and syringe feed that. It is much better accepted and there really is no need to use Critical Care, if they don't like it!

 

[Bill & Ted]

I had to wrap Micah in a towel and mix some mashed banana into his Critical Care

Oh, that second pigture, he looks like a little mole peeping out of a hole too cute!

 

[DMS260820]

I find some pigs I get on better with them on a little table, facing me to syringe feed, and some like to sit in my lap, facing away