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Underweight pig

NASH

NASH

Junior Guinea Pig
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We have one piggie, a 5 year old male piggie, he is very well and fit so I might be worrying wrongly but over the last year his muscle definition down his back has been steadily getting less, he was always a slim piggie but I would like to bulk him up a bit.
Any suggestions ?

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I know that animals in general, including us tend to lose muscle naturally as we age so maybe it’s the same with piggies.
 
@NASH How much does he weigh? Arthritis can happen in older pigs, and that brings muscle loss. As long as they don't slim down too much, being lighter can help them stay active (a bit like us really!).
 
You really need to be weighing him regularly to see whether there is weight loss and how quick this is happening. My concern would not be about bulking him up but what is causing the loss first. Renal disease is another condition that is fairly common in older piggies that can cause weight loss
 
NASH said:
We have one piggie, a 5 year old male piggie, he is very well and fit so I might be worrying wrongly but over the last year his muscle definition down his back has been steadily getting less, he was always a slim piggie but I would like to bulk him up a bit.
Any suggestions ?

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Hi!

It is normal in older age to lose muscle definition and a gradually some weight. The same happens to old people as well. The average life span of guinea pigs is 5-7 years.

If your boy is fit and well in himself, please concentrate on overall health as he is and not on stuffing him with empty calories that are not going to stick and that are tumbling off again at the first hint of an illness.

Feel around the ribs to see whether your boy is OK as he is. You should be able to feel the ribs, but they should not stick out and you should not be able to feel every single one.
If he is underweight for his size (i.e. if there is no flesh at all on his ribs), then you need to see a vet because there is an underlying health problem. Without addressing that you won't be able to do anything about weight issues. ;)

The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
 
We weighed him yesterday and he is exactly 2lbs, should I weigh him weekly ?
 
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