Senior pig diet

[klovespigs]

Hello everyone!

I currently have 4 females, all over 5years old. My oldest has been struggling to keep weight on even with extra food and supplement critical care feeding so I stopped as it stressed her out. She is currently (and has been this weight for almost a year) 650g. She has always been a very slim pig!

My other 3 are all starting to show signs of what I am assuming is muscle loss from their back ends. All of their weights seem good 800-1100g. They all run around the room atleast once a day, but a couple get tired very quickly and end up stretched out on the floor

My question today is what can I do to keep their weights up? I thought about increasing the nuggets but worried about the calcium as one of them has had a bladder stone in the past (all water is filtered, I've found the perfect balance with veg). They currently eat a mixture of Burgess with Mint and Science Selective Grain Free.

 

[Piggies&buns]

They do tend to get a bit skinny as they get older.

Two of my boys have just turned 6 years old and are bonier than they used to be.
I give some porridge oats each day as a high calorie boost as well as providing plenty of extra hay. (I don’t feed many nuggets - I only give them 2-3 times a week).

Definitely don’t increase nuggets.

 

[Bertie & Jelly]

I have two mature boys - one 5 1/2 and the other nearing 6 I believe and both have been losing weight very gradually over the past year. They do get a regular vet check so it seems to be just the ageing process. As they sleep so much more, they are grazing less. I do give them a critical care top up on a plate although recently they’ve been less interested in finishing this. I do find they have a spurt of feeding when they get a fresh hay top up then go off and doze again so they get lots of top ups! Like you I have the same worry so sorry haven’t got any helpful ideas.

 

[Pantalaimon]

One of mine is seven and the other is nearly four. They get a massive tub of fresh grass every day, it seems to help keep the weight on Ratter (the old one). I think lot of the weight loss actually comes from muscle loss which makes it hard to manage, if your pigs are active and eating well then that will go a long way to keeping them healthy for their entire lifespans.

 

[klovespigs]

They do tend to get a bit skinny as they get older.

Two of my boys have just turned 6 years old and are bonier than they used to be.
I give some porridge oats each day as a high calorie boost as well as providing plenty of extra hay. (I don’t feed many nuggets - I only give them 2-3 times a week).

Definitely don’t increase nuggets.

Do you give them the porridge oats dry? Mine will eat anything so I will give it a try!

 

[klovespigs]

I have two mature boys - one 5 1/2 and the other nearing 6 I believe and both have been losing weight very gradually over the past year. They do get a regular vet check so it seems to be just the ageing process. As they sleep so much more, they are grazing less. I do give them a critical care top up on a plate although recently they’ve been less interested in finishing this. I do find they have a spurt of feeding when they get a fresh hay top up then go off and doze again so they get lots of top ups! Like you I have the same worry so sorry haven’t got any helpful ideas.

It's reassuring to hear it seems common with age! Mine love hay and i've recently been mixing 3 or 4 types together which seems to keep them happy

One of mine is seven and the other is nearly four. They get a massive tub of fresh grass every day, it seems to help keep the weight on Ratter (the old one). I think lot of the weight loss actually comes from muscle loss which makes it hard to manage, if your pigs are active and eating well then that will go a long way to keeping them healthy for their entire lifespans.

Wow 7 is fantastic! Is grass ok to give in large amounts with their veg? I normally only give a small amount but if it helps with keeping weight on I would definitely increase it

 

[Pantalaimon]

It's reassuring to hear it seems common with age! Mine love hay and i've recently been mixing 3 or 4 types together which seems to keep them happy


Wow 7 is fantastic! Is grass ok to give in large amounts with their veg? I normally only give a small amount but if it helps with keeping weight on I would definitely increase it

I sometimes can’t quite believe she is seven! She just keeps going and going.

I give them grass in the morning and veg in the evening so that it is spread out. They get slightly less veg than others may feed their pigs.
The important thing with grass is that it is introduced slowly, especially in the spring and early summer when it is very rich and can cause upset stomachs.
I also make sure they have filled up on hay before they get grass by giving them a big pile of fresh hay when they are hungry first thing in the morning so they have spent all morning eating that.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Do you give them the porridge oats dry? Mine will eat anything so I will give it a try!

Yep, just a scoop straight from the box!

 

[klovespigs]

I sometimes can’t quite believe she is seven! She just keeps going and going.

I give them grass in the morning and veg in the evening so that it is spread out. They get slightly less veg than others may feed their pigs.
The important thing with grass is that it is introduced slowly, especially in the spring and early summer when it is very rich and can cause upset stomachs.
I also make sure they have filled up on hay before they get grass by giving them a big pile of fresh hay when they are hungry first thing in the morning so they have spent all morning eating that.

Thank you for the advice, I will definitely start this! I normally pile hay in first thing in the morning so I think it should work well

Yep, just a scoop straight from the box!

Thank you! I'll give it a try