Old piggy is skinny

[Alice._.]

My 6 year old piggy is looking very skinny and is drinking alot however he is still active and eating normally.

 

[Julie M]

Wow 6 is a great age. Sometimes piggies loose muscle tone as they age and appear skinny. As long as he's eating and drinking and happy in himself I wouldn't worry too much. You could maybe give him some extra treats (pea flakes or the alike)

 

[Lady Kelly]

If you have noticed a change in behaviour (drinking more) and weight loss then I would be inclined to have a health check with your vet just to make sure there's nothing else going on. As Julie says some muscle loss is normal and there are other things like renal failure which can be common in older piggies which can cause weight loss and increased drinking

 

[Wiebke]

My 6 year old piggy is looking very skinny and is drinking alot however he is still active and eating normally.

Hi

6 years is a great age! It is slap bang in the middle of the normal life expectancy for healthy piggies.

Please see a vet and start support feeding your piggy in order to compensate for the loss of appetite caused by pain. Please keep in mind that unlimited hay makes over 80% of what a guinea pig eats in a day and that you cannot control that by eye. Veg and a tablespoon of pellets are only 15% (or one sixth of what a piggy eats).
You can offer recovery formula in a bowl or by spoon twice as long as your piggy is still eating on its own. If they don't like the taste of the formula powder, mix it with some more familiar mushed up pellets.
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Increased drinking combined with weight loss usually points towards kidney problems or failure; it is one of the more common organs to get into trouble first in older guinea pigs. Pain medication can help keep your piggy more comfortable.

All the best!