Hello, We have 2 boars, about 18 months old. Had them outside in a big hutch (upstairs and downstairs, plenty of space to escape each other!) once they were old enough. Have had them inside for the last few months while it has been colder - in a Ferplast Casa 120 x 60 (i.e. much less space). Didn't used to weigh them but noticed recently that the submissive one (Fred) is very small and light so have been weighing them. Fred has fluctuated around 630g to 730g (tiny!) over the last few weeks whilst his dominant housemate is a chunky 1.3kg (ish). He seems to eat - hay, readigrass, veggies (spinach, lettuce, peppers, the odd carrot) and a few nuggets but definite preference for the veggies which aren't helping him put on weight. Wondering about putting them back outside once this current cold spell is over - seemed happier and healthier with more separate space from each other but is that risky? Are there better alternatives? Thanks!
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Losing weight?
- Thread starter VickyC
- Start date
How much weight has he actually lost? I know you said he fluctuated 630-730g but it would be useful to know a bit more details about what is actually happening since you have been weighing. That much fluctuation is a lot particularly if it has only been a downward amount. A fluctuation of 30g is fine as it can be the difference between a full/empty bladder/tummy. He is very small for 18 months old and while adult weight is largely down to genetics, if the has been significant weight loss, then that would be of concern given his now small weight. What is his heft like?
If he is consistently losing weight then he needs to see a vet to see if there are any medical issues for the weight loss and be syringe fed if he is is consistently losing weight.
If the dominant is stopping Fred from eating (chasing him away from food etc), then that indicates problems in their relationship which may or may not be down to the now lack of space.
If you are in the Uk, I would be very wary of putting them back outside anytime soon. Now they’ve been indoors, you can’t really put them back out until the night times are warm enough. It would be better to give them more room indoors - possibly by adding a permanent playpen to the front of the cage to give more floor space. We recommend a 150cm x 60cm cage (or equivalent amount of floor space) as a minimum for two boars. Anything less can cause problems.
Be very careful feeding spinach - it is too high in calcium to be fed regularly. It should be given no more than once per week.
Weight Monitoring and Management
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
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Thank you! Really helpful. Wishing we hadn't brought them inside - they seemed happy outside with a good thermal cover but I was worried about the winter. I don't think dominant piggy is chasing Fred away, rather just stealing his veggies when he's given them and then running and hiding with them (but there's always more so Fred can go and get seconds!). Weight-wise, hard to tell. We started being concerned a few weeks ago which is when we started weighing. Bought a new larger hopper for hay and readigrass to ensure it never runs out and with two access points to feed from. Weight seemed to get better and he went from c.670g to 720g but now back down to 630g. And he's definitely thin. Despite rough hair, you can feel his ribs, his hips etc. Will definitely cut down on the spinach (thank you) but sounds like he's going to need a vet trip.
I agree that you really need to see a vet. Please step in with support feeding until you can have him seen in order to prevent/minimise any further weight loss and to keep the guts from closing down. It doesn't sound like bullying but more like illness/a potential pain issue somewhere.
Here are our emergency, crisis and bridging care tips (including our syringe feeding guide) all neatly assembled in one guide so you have all relevant information handy when needed: Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Piggylove82
Adult Guinea Pig
On this topic, what weight is a healthy weight for adult pigs?
Siikibam
Senior Guinea Pig
Like humans they come in all shapes and sizes. A piggy may weigh less than it’s counterpart even though they’re the same age - genetics have a part to play. That’s why we say heft is the better indicator for whether they’re a good ‘size’. That as well as weighing weekly to check for variance in weight.
Piggylove82
Adult Guinea Pig
OK. Thanks. It was when someone said 730g was tiny.
I agree then that it sounds like a medical issue and he needs to see a vet.
To add, if there was even the slightest chance that they weren’t warmth enough outside and you said you were worried - and ideally they shouldn’t be exposed to temperatures below 15 degrees, so a thermal cover in itself isn’t enough as it doesn’t generate heat, only helps to trap in heat being produced from inside - then you did the right thing in bringing them indoors
Thanks all! Took Fred to the vets. She said she couldn’t FJ d any obvious issues. Advised critical care twice a day (which he seems to be enjoying!) and to aim for 800g by mid Feb. If not there, then a wee sample. Fingers crossed.