• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

My guinea pigs are overweight. Help please!

Status
Not open for further replies.
sez

sez

New Born Pup
Joined
Oct 29, 2013
Messages
14
Reaction score
1
Points
95
Location
Hertfordshire
Hello chatters, I am new to this forum so am not sure where to put this but here goes. I have recently taken on two guinea pigs and well they are to put it politely overweight. They don't seem to move much at all in the hutch and even when putting them in the run in our house they only move as much as they need to. Is this normal? Also they are so big they cant get up our ramp and literally slide back down! We have now closed of the ramp as it was causing red and sore feet even after putting material over the ramp. I don't know what to do. I am going to see the vet soon because there nails need trimming and they are so shy and scared every time I try to do it they move and I don't feel confident enough to do it myself whilst they fidget. Perhaps I should bring up the problem when I take them to the vets? I have had piggies in the past and have never had a problem with their weight or mobility, nor the ramp. It is a nice sized hutch and I was hoping they would have a good run around and lose weight. The only time I have seen them run is when I am trying to catch them in the hutch. I have had them for abut two weeks. Thank you
 
Hi there

Some guinea pigs take a long time to adjust to a new home so will be very shy for a while. There are some tips to try and get them used to you, for example go out and speak to them often to get them used to your voice.

What are you feeding the pigs? And how big is their hutch/what type of hutch is it? (Do you have a picky?)

Your piggies are gorgeous from your profile pic.
 
How much do they weigh?

Your pigture looks really adorable and they look like normal sized piggies to me. =)
 
To make them move about more spread their veggies about amd hide them in hay so they have to work for it
 
To make my guinea pig run or exercise, I put pillows up and he runs under and around them. I will even put him in a dark room and watch him dash around.

Hope this helps! ^)
 
How much do they weigh? It also depends on steep your ramp is and how good the grip is on it.

In order to reduce any overweight, you cut down quite a lot on the pellets and give no shop treats. offer plenty of hay (should make up to 80% of the daily food intake).
Here is a thread from our Daily Care section which you may find helpful: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...-of-Weight-Checks-and-Overfeeding-Guinea-Pigs

Adult piggies, especially those that have never had much space to move around in, will take some time to enjoying exercise. You could teach them to come over to you for a little veg or fresh herb treat. Give them lots of praise and encouragement, like you would with a little dog.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top