Pig is skinny.

[ann1467]

I am new to guniea pigs. We have had nine month old Fluffy for about a month. When we got her, we took her to the vet and he said that she was healthy, but a little skinny. She has unlimited access to water, pellet food, hay, and fresh vegies. She is an eating, pooping machine. She is a picky eater though. So far all I can find that she likes is carrots and leaf lettuce. I have tried every kind of fresh produce, to no avail.
She is friendly, her eyes are bright, we make sure to put vitiman C in her water. How can I fatten her up? Should I be able to feel ribs?

 

[Wiebke]

Are you weighing her weekly to control her weight so you've got an idea of whether she is putting on weight or not at all? Some piggies are very gracile by nature.

You can try to add porridge oats and bran to her pellets.

It would be better, though, if you syringed the vitamin C or placed a small part of a tablet directly in her mouth to make sure that she gets the full dosis. You just can't control the intake in a bottle; the vitamin C greaks down very quickly and only helps the growth of algae. Has she got piggy company to help her learn eating veg?

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

yep definately porridge oats

 

[ann1467]

Does poriage oats mean just raw rolled oats?

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

like porridge oats that you add water or milk to to make porridge love

 

[ann1467]

I will give a try right now...

 

[ann1467]

She does not like oats either.

 

[PiggiePal]

sometimes pigs are quite fussy eaters when they are kept alone. If she's eating and pooing properly i wouldn't worry too much. However i would weigh weekly to monitor how much she is putting on. What does she weigh now?
The best thing you could do for fluffy is get her a girlfriend to live with. Your local rescue Will be able to help pair her up with a pig she likes and she'll be much happier and you'll probably See a change in her eating behaviour. Where are you located? X

 

[ann1467]

I have thought that she may need a companion. I will check for a rescue in our area. We live in Grand Junction Colorado.

 

[Wiebke]

Here are a couple of shelters in Colorado:
http://www.guinealynx.info/rescue_organizations.html#CO

I would recommend that you persist in offering her little portions of other veg. She has obviously never had anything else. Have you tried cilantro or parsley? They are usually things that most piggies can't withstand.

 

[ann1467]

Thanks for the link. I will look into it. I went into her room and the porridge was gone! I will keep adding bits of things for her and hopefully she will come around!