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Very fat guinea pigs - help

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Andersons

I`m looking after 2 very fat guinea pigs for a friend while they are on holiday. I was amazed to see how fat they were. One is 4 pounds and is enormous (like a fat rabbit) and the other 3.5 pounds. The bigger one can hardly walk - poor thing.

I mentioned the possibility of arthritus, diabetese, heart and other organ failiure. Both piggys don`t walk around hardly at all which just adds to their dillema. Also, they don`t seem to drink much which is very puzzling. They eat very well but are not greedy and don`t appear to over eat.

I have a theory they are genetically fat and can`t burn up the caleries.

The owner is well aware of the piggys poor state of health but she has no idea how to get them thin. To be honest, I didnt either. Any ideas?

I have 14 rescue piggys and all are normal size.

Has anyone any ideas I can give them upon their return from holiday?
 
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Could you perhaps make them move more by feeding them on the kitchen floor where they have to walk a bit to get to their food? Once they start exercising they should be able to move better and better.

Some piggies simply don't drink; you have to make sure that they get enough fluid from their food.
 
I've never heard of an over weight guinea pig. Just big ones, i've heard of 4lb odd and that was a very healthy big pig, usually it's the bigger the better really. If you really do think they are unable to move properly due to their size then don't cut any food just try to get them out in a run for more exercise. xx
 
If the movement is affected by the weight then it does sound as though they are overweight. The weights themselves can be very normal for some pigs.

What dry food are the pigs on? If it's not already the case, switch them to a high-quality plain pellet and limit the amount you give them.
 
HI

We once had some rescue pigs that were very fat.

The food bowl was only filled once a day, and if okay the next the same food given back.

Give plenty of hay and greens, but not carrots as these can be fatting, but give them now and again.

Let them out for more exercise.

Also they probably should be checked at a vets.

Jaye.
 
Thanx everyone for your helpful replies. I will write down the ideas and pass them to my friend when she returns from holiday. I can`t start any diet programme because they are not my piggys.

While they are with me I`ll give them plenty of cucumber b`cos of the high water content. Their lack of drinking worries me.

I have a female pig who drinks for England.

I`ll ask advice from Vedra (Cambs Cavy Hospital) and see if she recomends anything to get their weight down and the water problem.

Thanx all,

Anders,
 
My vet told me often the commercial pellet mixes are to blame because of the high carbohydrates and sugar (molasses etc) added to them.
I would recommend to reduce the pellet amount and feed more hay and greens and less treats.
Also get them out of the hutch for a run more often. Slowly does it!

Good luck!
 
Thanx for your advice about the pellets. I didnt know about the high carb content. I`ll let my friend know.

x>>
 
My girls are getting chunky n I didn't want them to end up with problems so I gave them more to do with their time. They have food hanging from cup hooks in the ceiling and two floors now, food downstairs bedroom upstairs. Not everyone can get two floors for piggies but mine are so much more active now they can go up and down. Do they get floor time? Can your friend encourage them to do things to get some of their veg as a prize, trail of tiny bits of veg round the room maybe.
 
i cut one of my sows nails the other day and was suprised how heavy she was, i also might cut out he mix for a few days.:red:red
 
I have things like hay balls (you can put veggies etc.. in them too!) if you hang them from the roof they swing around a bit so make piggies work alittle for their food. Also things like kitchen rolls etc.. stuffed with hay makes eating a bit more fun and encourages them to do a little more exercise too!
 
star is a definate porker she won`t stop eating its constant the other day she was cleaning herself and rolled over like a ball.. then looked at me as if to say i meant to do that..;);)
 
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