• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Weighing

Status
Not open for further replies.
1stTimePiggieOwner

1stTimePiggieOwner

Joined
Aug 18, 2009
Messages
746
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
East Midlands
Hi everyone

I just have a couple of questions if that's ok.

I currently weigh my boys weekly, they are both approximately 7months old and weigh (Guinness) 1007g and (Bailey) 969g. Are these weights within the normal range?

When do I stop weighing weekly?

Also, at what age do I need to start limiting their dry food, as I currently top it up when its empty and I know that at some stage I need to stop doing this and giving them a set amount daily. Is that right?

Thanks everyone
x
 
There was a similar topic earlier - maybe the answers on there will help?
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=41297

Their weights sound good, very reasonable. :)
It's usually best to start limiting the dry food at the age of 6-8 months. It can help to top up the dry food twice daily, giving half in the morning and half in the evening.
I always weigh weekly, I know some others don't but I do believe it's a good habit to maintain.
 
In ideal conditions dried food is unnecessary.
I suppose most of us give it because it is quick and cheap!
It is a supplement not a replacement for a proper diet.
 
Thanks Laura. That link was helpful, sorry for not searching before I asked the question.

I'll start limiting their dry food from now then, to be honest they don't eat THAT much of it anyway most of the time but they seem to go through phases, some days they hardly seem to touch it and then other days I'm topping it up twice.

They get their veg morning and night anyway so if I just giving them a handful of dry food at the same time as I do their veg, that should be ok shouldn't it?

Thank you x
 
Thanks alcesterpigs,I think we cross posted. Yes I know it isn't their full diet. They get a good variety of vegetables split into two feeds a day as well as their dry food and hay. I like to think they get a varied diet, well at least I hope they do :)
 
The problem is their preferences can change so often. Grass should be the ideal!
 
alcesterpigs said:
The problem is their preferences can change so often. Grass should be the ideal!
Click to expand...

I agree, they can be so fussy loving one food one week and ignoring it the next.

Grass is great but impractical in winter. I also find that no matter how long mine spend munching in the garden, when they go back in their cage, the first thing they do is beg for dinner. I assumed (obviously wrongly0 that grass didn't fill them up AND was concerned it may give them diarrhea.
 
Yes, your right Grass really is impractical at this time of year but I try to give them the next best thing, such as fresh forage by burges excell which is very "grasy"

My boys appear to be healthy and are definately happy. Their weights seem to be ok and I hope I'm doing a good job with them.

Thanks for the replies guys and girls. x
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top