How Much Food Should They Eat?

[S&J]

I rehomed Jinx and Shadow from Milhaven on Good Friday. Since then they are literally scoffing down veg and hay, but have hardly touched their pellets given with them from the rescue.

Should I be worried? I keep giving them a fresh bowl every day, but find myself throwing away most of the bowl which means they are eating very little of it?

 

[lauraboara]

Hello. I would not be worried if they are happy and lively and eating loads of hay and veg. Their diet should be 80% hay /grass so if they are eating loads of hay that is good. They are a few months old now so still growing lots but not the massive growth rate of when they were small. I would keep offering the dried food - maybe a bit less if you don't want to throw it out and see how it goes.
I am sure Joanne told you about weighing them to check they are well and growing - loss of weight can be a sign of ill health. If you keep a track of their weights you can reassure yourself they are growing steadily. I weigh mine in their snuggle sack thingys and then take off the weight of the sack - it takes about a minute to do when you get used to it!
Obviously not eating can be a concern which is worth keeping an eye on in case a vet visit needed but I suspect in this case they are just really enjoying their veg and hay!

 

[S&J]

Well I gave them less hay and a smaller amount of veg yesterday....found the bowl of pellets completely empty, so that's put my mind at rest that they were just filling up on hay and veg
Back to a huge pile of hay today and yummy veg

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

They haven't been with you for long, they will be nervous, so may not feel like eating their pellets. Pellets are not their main part of diet anyway, veg and hay is the majority.

 

[S&J]

Very true. Thank you

 

[lauraboara]

Well I gave them less hay and a smaller amount of veg yesterday....found the bowl of pellets completely empty, so that's put my mind at rest that they were just filling up on hay and veg
Back to a huge pile of hay today and yummy veg

Good lads - just keeping you on your toes then. Today some pellets, tomorrow maybe not, just to freak out any humans that are watching us - he he.
But if you can keep filling them up on hay and veg they will be happy boys

 

[S&J]

Well they are certainly starting to become more confident and demanding! As soon as they see me now I'm getting 'wheeked' at!