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Mean Vet Called Barney Fat!

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AbiS

AbiS

Adult Guinea Pig
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Well alright - I suppose he is a bit chunky but I like them cuddly (bit like my husband too!) However, I would be very irresponsible to ignore a professionals opinion. I am going to cut down on their pellets - I am ashamed to say that when the vet asked how much I give them I lied (only by half a handful) but it was just like when the GP asks you how much alcohol you drink.

I also have to start making them work for their food hence this thread: I would like ideas of how to do this please. I can scatter their nuggets and veg around but are there any safe toys out there that I can use as well? Any other way of getting them to exercise more - don't think they would appreciate a piggy sized treadmill!

Will they get confused if I suddenly empty the nugget bowl and scatter things - will instinct take over so they can find the food?
 
Oh dear, having read that, I think my girl is overweight too....my vet did describe her as a little rotund a while ago, she definitely has little fat areas of flab above her legs. She is not overfed though and she has a huge cage! I do spread their food around and make them work for their food. I reckon when i am not looking Sebastian takes food to her LOL!
 
How much does he weigh? Some piggies are chubby as it is their build but if he is having unlimited pellets then I would reduce them.
 
From Amazon, you can get this thing called an Eggserciser. It works on the same principle as a dog's Kong toy. You put bits of food inside and the piggie has to push it around to make the food fall out. You can adjust the size of the holes to make it easier or harder to get the food out. They're about £6, I think.
 
piggyfan said:
How much does he weigh? Some piggies are chubby as it is their build but if he is having unlimited pellets then I would reduce them.
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Oh no - not unlimited - between the 2 of them they get a handful in the morning and half a handful a night. I think I might need to reduce it gradually to half a handful twice a day. Their weights are completely stable so they aren't getting any bigger. Barney is 1435 and Toby is 1355. I can still feel ribs and spine but they do look like they have swallowed 2 tennis table balls!
 
AbiS said:
Oh no - not unlimited - between the 2 of them they get a handful in the morning and half a handful a night. I think I might need to reduce it gradually to half a handful twice a day. Their weights are completely stable so they aren't getting any bigger. Barney is 1435 and Toby is 1355. I can still feel ribs and spine but they do look like they have swallowed 2 tennis table balls!
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They may just be big boys. Some piggies are just big. When I switched to a sugar free pellet, my piggies lost weight.
 
7squeakers. said:
From Amazon, you can get this thing called an Eggserciser. It works on the same principle as a dog's Kong toy. You put bits of food inside and the piggie has to push it around to make the food fall out. You can adjust the size of the holes to make it easier or harder to get the food out. They're about £6, I think.
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All that comes up when I search for it is a hand strengthening thing
 
piggyfan said:
They may just be big boys. Some piggies are just big. When I switched to a sugar free pellet, my piggies lost weight.
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Maybe rather than looking at it as being a diet it should be how to get them to exercise more - I sometimes wonder if they get bored because I don't introduce new joys.
 
AbiS said:
Maybe rather than looking at it as being a diet it should be how to get them to exercise more - I sometimes wonder if they get bored because I don't introduce new joys.
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Your boys have a wonderful life with you! Piggies are not really keen on exercise in my experience but do not worry your boys are bored. They get lots of floor time.
 
AbiS said:
Oh no - not unlimited - between the 2 of them they get a handful in the morning and half a handful a night. I think I might need to reduce it gradually to half a handful twice a day. Their weights are completely stable so they aren't getting any bigger. Barney is 1435 and Toby is 1355. I can still feel ribs and spine but they do look like they have swallowed 2 tennis table balls!
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If you can still feel the ribs, then they are not grossly overweight. ;)
 
Look for PetSafe FUN-EGG Egg-Cersiser Cat Toy £6.20. I found it. I just spelt it a bit wrong first time!
 
7squeakers. said:
Look for PetSafe FUN-EGG Egg-Cersiser Cat Toy £6.20. I found it. I just spelt it a bit wrong first time!
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I have looked at it and am concerned it looks quite big so I am going to order one of these:
and one of these:
thank you very much for the suggestion - not sure I would have thought to look for one of those!
 
The Egg-cersiser is approx 9.5 cm long and 7cm wide. Not too big for piggies.
 
7squeakers. said:
The Egg-cersiser is approx 9.5 cm long and 7cm wide. Not too big for piggies.
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Oh - I see - that's smaller than the one I planned on buying - it must have been pictured with a very small kitten beside it - or I just don't know how big kittens are! In that case I am going to get the one you suggested!
 
How your piggies take to the Egg will depend on what you put inside it (I used carrot) and how nervous they are! Suzie (RIP) had hers emptied within 10 minutes, Inka and Maya wouldn't go near it, Bonnie and Clyde got the hang of it after about half an hour!
 
7squeakers. said:
How your piggies take to the Egg will depend on what you put inside it (I used carrot) and how nervous they are! Suzie (RIP) had hers emptied within 10 minutes, Inka and Maya wouldn't go near it, Bonnie and Clyde got the hang of it after about half an hour!
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I would plan on putting their nuggets in it so they would have to work for it. I am on annual leave at the moment so have the time to keep an eye on them to make sure they can use it and don't end up anorexic!
 
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