Overweight piggy

[Fozzy44]

My 2 boys are nearly 1, Frodo has always been quite a bit bigger than Loki since I got them at 12 weeks old.

So I had to split them up a while ago because Frodo was attacking Loki and ripped his ear They now live in hutch’s side by side so they can see each other and talk through the side bars. They’ve always been fed exactly the same and have grown at a consistent rate.

Loki is still smaller but now weighs 1100g and is a nice healthy shape, can feel his ribs/hips and can see his feet when he’s standing. Frodo is nearly 1400g and over the last few weeks I’ve noticed he’s feeling a bit podgy. His hips are difficult to feel, and when I pick him up he’s feeling quite pear shaped.

What should I do to help him lose weight? They both only get a tablespoon of Science selective pellets. I top up their hay several times a day. And they get a slice of cucumber with their pellets in the morning and their bowl of veggies in the afternoon.

 

[artcasper]

Hi. Do they come out at all in a run or for floor time? This could help with a little bit of exercise..... piggies do vary in shape and size.. my Pip was always on the chunkier side compared to her sister.. always about 200g heavier too...

 

[Wiebke]

My 2 boys are nearly 1, Frodo has always been quite a bit bigger than Loki since I got them at 12 weeks old.

So I had to split them up a while ago because Frodo was attacking Loki and ripped his ear They now live in hutch’s side by side so they can see each other and talk through the side bars. They’ve always been fed exactly the same and have grown at a consistent rate.

Loki is still smaller but now weighs 1100g and is a nice healthy shape, can feel his ribs/hips and can see his feet when he’s standing. Frodo is nearly 1400g and over the last few weeks I’ve noticed he’s feeling a bit podgy. His hips are difficult to feel, and when I pick him up he’s feeling quite pear shaped.

What should I do to help him lose weight? They both only get a tablespoon of Science selective pellets. I top up their hay several times a day. And they get a slice of cucumber with their pellets in the morning and their bowl of veggies in the afternoon.

Hi!

Please read these guides below. It tells you where exactly you feel for the weight/size ratio, what you can do for exercise etc.
Check your veg and leave out any high sugar/fattening ones like carrots, sweetcorn etc.
Weight - Monitoring and Management (incl. how to feel for the heft, overweight, exercise etc.)
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets (check amount of veg and the last chapter for bad veg and treats)

I hope that they will help.

 

[Fozzy44]

Hi. Do they come out at all in a run or for floor time? This could help with a little bit of exercise..... piggies do vary in shape and size.. my Pip was always on the chunkier side compared to her sister.. always about 200g heavier too...

They go out in a big run on the lawn a few times a week and the days I’m working and can’t put them out on the grass they have a run around in the kitchen (which is massive!)
Frodo isn’t massive but I have noticed a bit of a bigger layer of chub around his hips in the last few weeks. He’s always been a big boy tho.

 

[Wiebke]

They go out in a big run on the lawn a few times a week and the days I’m working and can’t put them out on the grass they have a run around in the kitchen (which is massive!)
Frodo isn’t massive but I have noticed a bit of a bigger layer of chub around his hips in the last few weeks. He’s always been a big boy tho.

Make sure that you count the grass into their veg allowance; fresh juicy grass is pretty rich!

 

[Fozzy44]

Make sure that you count the grass into their veg allowance; fresh juicy grass is pretty rich!

I do feed them a lot less veg when they’ve been out on the grass. They basically mow the lawn for my mum they eat so much

Frodo is one of those piggies that will literally eat everything! As soon as I put the pellets down in the morning they’re gone in about 5 mins. Same with the morning cucumber and afternoon veg. He shouts like he’s starving whenever somebody opens the back door. He eats loads of hay too. He’s so greedy! Loki will graze on his veggies/hay/pellets all day but Frodo eats like you are going to take it away from him

 

[Wiebke]

I do feed them a lot less veg when they’ve been out on the grass. They basically mow the lawn for my mum they eat so much

Frodo is one of those piggies that will literally eat everything! As soon as I put the pellets down in the morning they’re gone in about 5 mins. Same with the morning cucumber and afternoon veg. He shouts like he’s starving whenever somebody opens the back door. He eats loads of hay too. He’s so greedy! Loki will graze on his veggies/hay/pellets all day but Frodo eats like you are going to take it away from him

He is always going to chubbier and he is now come to the period where he is at the peak of his life but no longer as active and energy burning as a teenager.
Still, you may find the tips and information in the weight management guide helpful and interesting.