Overweight piggies

[Rivervixen]

Hi all, I took my piggies to the vet a week ish ago and she said they’re a little overweight and it’s not dangerous but to put them on a diet. I reduced their veggie portions and pellets and kept on giving them unlimited hay. But they only seem to be gaining weight, any ideas? Thank you

 

[PigglePuggle]

You could cut out pellets altogether for a while, and make them work for their veg by scatter feeding it and hiding it around their cage. And go for lower calorie veg like lettuces (but not iceberg) and herbs, cutting out any fruit and carrots and corn. They will always need unlimited hay.
How much exercise do they get? What's their cage size and how much playpen or floor time do they get?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all, I took my piggies to the vet a week ish ago and she said they’re a little overweight and it’s not dangerous but to put them on a diet. I reduced their veggie portions and pellets and kept on giving them unlimited hay. But they only seem to be gaining weight, any ideas? Thank you

Hi!

Please stay off any fattening veg like carrots or fruit and feed only 1 tablespoon of pellets per piggy per day.
There are ages when piggies lose weight easier than others.

You will find the guide link below hopefully helpful. It takes you through how you can check whether your piggies are actually overweight for their individual size, what you can do for overweight and which foods to avoid; and lastly how you can build exercise into feeding time and make your piggies work for their food.
Weight - Monitoring and Management
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets (includes picture of a sample veg diet)

 

[Rivervixen]

Their cage size is too small currently, it’s a pet store one that they said would be fine for their whole life, I have a larger c&c cage coming within the week. Floor time hasn’t been much because they don’t really run around they just sort of huddle up in a corner. I’ll check the link, thank you x

 

[Rivervixen]

I forgot to say as well that they’re around 5-6 months old

 

[Wiebke]

I forgot to say as well that they’re around 5-6 months old

Hi!

At this age, space and the ability to exercise will take care of any weight problem as long as you do not overfeed on pellets, treats and fattening veg in combination with lack of space and exercise for the long term.
They are still growing teenagers and should actually still gain weight at this age!
How piggy savvy is your vet?

Peg towels or a sheet over any new cage or indoors/outdoors run to give them a feeling of protection (open spaces trigger their prey animal instincts) and use some of their soiled bedding to rub down and line their new cage, so it smells 'right' and tells them that it is meant for them. Guinea pigs have a much stronger sense of smell than we human and scent mark any place they use, especially their territory. Guinea pigs usually don't go where others haven't gone before them as that screams potential danger to them.
Sprinkle safe bases from which to explore the run around, about a foot from each other - that can be tunnels, log tunnels, upturned cardboard boxes, children's stools etc. and your babies will soon get bolder.
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely

All these guides are part of our very useful and often interesting new owners guide collection with lots of practical and help information on all the topics we get the most questions and concerns about: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[Rivervixen]

Thank you for your advice I have no idea how pig savvy the vet was, it was an emergency appointment because we thought one had overheated. They’re now playing in their new play pen I put some of their toys in there and they eventually came out

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your advice I have no idea how pig savvy the vet was, it was an emergency appointment because we thought one had overheated. They’re now playing in their new play pen I put some of their toys in there and they eventually came out

You will get there!

A good non-fattening hay based diet (the more hay the better), restraint on treats and space to move around will ensure good long term health and improve longevity. Guinea pigs have a very fast metabolism, so your youngsters should be soon on an even keel for the long term.

You will know when they have got their bearings and are confident - that is when they run around like mad (zoomies).