TLDR
My piggy prefers timothy-based hay-substitute pellets over food.
He only eats half of his food recently, probably because I am feeding him too much pellets.
I need help in finding food that he likes. Or advice if the pellets can be a substitute of food.
Background
We live in Hong Kong, and can select from Japanese products (Marukan, Sanko, Hipet, Momi) and overseas products (Oxbow, Kaytee, Mazuri, Sherwood, APD, Small Pet Select, Burgess Excel, Versele-Laga).
His current diet:
For over a year I have been feeding him these Japanese timothy-based hay-substitute pellets (Hipet Timothy no Kiwami, see ハイペット株式会社 ), previously in 5g portion daily. He loves them so much he would always finish those first.
These Japanese pellets are marketed as starch-free and gluten-free timothy-based coarse pellets as a hay substitution for those who do not like hay.
I see that their guaranteed analysis is quite similar to ordinary guinea pig food, plus there is no sugar added.
(Protein: 8.0~10.0%, Fat: 1.0~3.0%, Fibre: 23.0~27.0%, Ash: 3.0~6.0%, Moisture: Under 10.0%, Calcium: 0.2~0.4%)
The ingredients seem fairly minimalistic too (timothy hay, bran, carrot, salt, and Lactic acid bacteria EC-12).
So I suppose it is not a bad thing that the pig prefers these pellets over his Oxbow food.
For the past half year I have gradually increase the portion size to 8g daily for more fibre intake to prevent bloating and keep him fit (because of the fat lump).
And after he broke his tooth in July, I added an additional nighttime treat of 5g since the vet said it was fine.
Recently (these 2-3 months) he has more and more leftover food (around half left).
I think this is because of the increased pellets and his broken incisor. And also the fact that he likes the pellets more.
We never managed to find a suitable food that he likes and also is timothy-based.
He has tried various brands of food before (Versele-Laga, Kaytee, Momi, Small Pet Select, Oxbow), sometimes without much regard to the ingredients. I only recently study through the ingredients, and some of his previous favourites were alfafa-based.
I started finding a new one again recently because the current one is nearly finished. The only most suitable one I found is Oxbow Essentials, and I think of switching. It is similar to the Small Pet Select one so I don't think my piggy will like it.
But I do not dare replacing his food entirely with the pellets because the food has some nutrients formulated for his health.
So I am stuck between cutting his pellets in hope of him eating more food, and substitute his food entirely with the pellets (and adding supplements which food should provide).
I would love to have advice on choosing his food while not compromising his well-being. Thanks!
My piggy prefers timothy-based hay-substitute pellets over food.
He only eats half of his food recently, probably because I am feeding him too much pellets.
I need help in finding food that he likes. Or advice if the pellets can be a substitute of food.
Background
We live in Hong Kong, and can select from Japanese products (Marukan, Sanko, Hipet, Momi) and overseas products (Oxbow, Kaytee, Mazuri, Sherwood, APD, Small Pet Select, Burgess Excel, Versele-Laga).
His current diet:
- Mix of 1st cut (Rabbit Hole Hay, cut short) and 2nd cut hay (Momi)
- Throughout the day: 10g food (Oxbow Garden Select, see Oxbow Animal Health ), 5g dried herb mix (lavender, dandelion leaf, rosehip etc.), 8g timothy-based hay-substitute pellets (Hipet), vitamin c tab (Sanko)
- 2 x 20g veggies (AM & PM)
- Nightime treat of around 5g timothy-based hay-substitute pellets
- Occasional treat of 1x Oxbow heart
- Male, 1.03 kg, will be 4 by mid Nov 2021
- Previously broke the right upper incisor when he was 1 year 2 months
- Broke the right lower incisor in July 2021; currently the left lower incisor is growing a bit inwards ( towards the right); took him to the vet twice in July and Sep, but both times vet (exotic) only prescribed Meloxicam and another anti-inflammatory drug (forgot the name).
- Previous bloating in July 2019
- Found a fat lump/tissue under his belly in Jan 2021 and vet advised observation
- Very low water intake, 20ml to 40ml per day, usually drinks when he eats. Vet has recommended wetting the veggies before feeding (which I did, each portion weighing around 8-10g more after wetting).
- Vet advises to feed him 1st cut timothy to be cut short since his teeth in the back are a bit long but his incisors cannot cut very well.
For over a year I have been feeding him these Japanese timothy-based hay-substitute pellets (Hipet Timothy no Kiwami, see ハイペット株式会社 ), previously in 5g portion daily. He loves them so much he would always finish those first.
These Japanese pellets are marketed as starch-free and gluten-free timothy-based coarse pellets as a hay substitution for those who do not like hay.
I see that their guaranteed analysis is quite similar to ordinary guinea pig food, plus there is no sugar added.
(Protein: 8.0~10.0%, Fat: 1.0~3.0%, Fibre: 23.0~27.0%, Ash: 3.0~6.0%, Moisture: Under 10.0%, Calcium: 0.2~0.4%)
The ingredients seem fairly minimalistic too (timothy hay, bran, carrot, salt, and Lactic acid bacteria EC-12).
So I suppose it is not a bad thing that the pig prefers these pellets over his Oxbow food.
For the past half year I have gradually increase the portion size to 8g daily for more fibre intake to prevent bloating and keep him fit (because of the fat lump).
And after he broke his tooth in July, I added an additional nighttime treat of 5g since the vet said it was fine.
Recently (these 2-3 months) he has more and more leftover food (around half left).
I think this is because of the increased pellets and his broken incisor. And also the fact that he likes the pellets more.
We never managed to find a suitable food that he likes and also is timothy-based.
He has tried various brands of food before (Versele-Laga, Kaytee, Momi, Small Pet Select, Oxbow), sometimes without much regard to the ingredients. I only recently study through the ingredients, and some of his previous favourites were alfafa-based.
I started finding a new one again recently because the current one is nearly finished. The only most suitable one I found is Oxbow Essentials, and I think of switching. It is similar to the Small Pet Select one so I don't think my piggy will like it.
But I do not dare replacing his food entirely with the pellets because the food has some nutrients formulated for his health.
So I am stuck between cutting his pellets in hope of him eating more food, and substitute his food entirely with the pellets (and adding supplements which food should provide).
I would love to have advice on choosing his food while not compromising his well-being. Thanks!