Is He Starving Himself

[Julia Rafferty]

my piggie eats strictly hay and fresh veggies. Sometimes he eats them with in a couple of minutes and other times he just lets them shrivel up and die. I also haven’t heard him drinking lately (this of course does not mean he isn’t) Today I found him laying very still. I have a lot of anxiety when thinking if any illness he may have. I honestly thought he was dead and bursted into tears and started screaming cause I was so upset. He them peeled right back up and looked at me as if to see if I was ok. I am still very shaken and I think I was so worried because of him sometimes not eating and not seeing him drinking. How much should he be drinking? How many time should I refill it? Should it be everyday? Should he drink that much water, because he doesn’t. Is it ok that sometime he skips out on meals. He is about 3 months old and has maintained a steady weight, I think, as my scale is broken and is sometimes wrong. He does still popcorn and squeak. In fact sometimes he squeaks and popcorns when I give him food, as if he is excited to eat. But then he doesn’t eat it. This has left me super confused and I really need help because I can’t just continue to think he is dead every time he is just sleeping. It gives me such bad anxiety attacks.

 

[Freela]

If you're concerned, all I can really recommend is to see a vet for a checkup (including a look at his back teeth) and to buy reliable scales so you can get a better sense of whether his weight is increasing (at 3 months of age, he should be growing, not just holding steady.) Common reasons for not eating can be any number of illnesses, dental pain, etc., and it will be very hard to get to the bottom of it yourself. Because guinea pigs can progress very quickly when ill, if you feel like something isn't right it's good to have it checked out.

 

[Betsy]

 

[DM030819]

I agree with the above, a vet visit won't harm.

I also suffer with anxiety issues @Julia Rafferty so understand how pigs can affect feelings. Have you been to see the doctor about your problems? Do you see a counsellor? If not, I would recommend both, they have helped me to deal with feeling out of control.

 

[Reenie]

You said something very important there - he's not losing weight. If he's not losing weight, he must be eating, so no need to be unduly concerned. If the scales worry you, either test them or buy new ones. I agree that a vet trip would be a good idea to reassure yourself.
Some piggies hardly ever drink, they get enough water from their veggies.
Once you've had him checked, and sorted out any problem with the scales, weigh him once a week only and as long as his weight is fairly stable, he's probably fine. Don't weigh him more than that unless he's ill, as his weight will fluctuate and that might make you worry.
Because they sleep with their eyes open, I totally get why it's alarming, but now you know that he can look a bit lifeless, so be prepared for that before you go to see him.
I know I can't stop you from worrying, but you're doing all you can, so there's no reason he shouldn't be a healthy piggy.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Is he on his own? When my Iggy was on his own he did the same with his veggies, now that he lives with his 4 wives it's eat or be eaten!

If he is alone I certainly recommend getting him a friend, they need company to be happy and healthy and he's so young. He needs a guinea pig friend