Skinny Guinea

[jeffnsweep]

Our 2 piggies are 8 weeks old and are both snuggled up at the moment in a crochet wrap on my lap! They are both very healthy and eat loads but sweep my daughters piggy seems so skinny compared to his brother. U can feel his bones through his fur, his brother is probably twice his weight, I have read alfalfa helps them put weight on so will be buying alfalfa hay over weekend, he appears healthy and he does seem to be the dominant of the two so that isn't an issue, he eats all his veg, a massive variety, but he just is skin and bones! Should I worry? Should I be doing anything to help him put weight on? He just seems so skinny next to his brother x

 

[Abi_nurse]

What sort of weight is he? It is normal too be able to feel bones such as the Pelvic wings through the fur, but you shouldn't be able to see them.

See this for more guidance on body condition scoring...
http://www.pfma.org.uk/_assets/docs/weigh-in-wednesday/pet-size-o-meter-guinea-pig.pdf

If you are concerned then please have your little ones checked over by a vet for piece of mind.

You should weigh your piggies on a regular bases to ensure that both are gaining weight well and so you can notice any drops in weight (this is often the only sign some unwell piggies give us). Take care with feeding too much alfalfa hay, it's very high in calcium and feeding long term will predispose piggies to kidney and bladder stone. Ok for the short term but just advising to take care. Upping the amount of pellets your little ones have will be a better option and adding things such as corn and amounts of oats can help gain weight. You need to be careful too though as they will still be growing. Are you certain of their age, and that they are both from the same litter, or did you purchase them from a pet Shop?

x

 

[jeffnsweep]

Thanks for reply I got them from a breeder not a pet shop and they're from the same litter, I must admit usually I would weigh my pets but I don't have any scales at the moment, it's on my list to buy next week, but it's very noticeable how much weight one is putting on but not the other, I will try some alfalfa next week but won't keep them on it long term, thanks for the advice, I think I'll also get a vet check done next week as they do have running lice I think but mainly want to put my mind at ease over the weight issue, whilst he is absolutely fine, and eating normal I'm just a bit miffed why he isn't getting chunky like his brother xx

 

[Abi_nurse]

Good luck with the vets next week. They definately need some ivermectin for those lice then. Enjoy them.

x

 

[Butterfly88]

Try to monitor if he's eating. If he is eating solid food, try to handfeed him to see if he takes it. Tooth pain is the first thing that comes to my mind, my piggy didn't eat due to tooth issues once.