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weight gain
- Thread starter johnfin
- Start date
xToNix
Junior Guinea Pig
Hi johnfin. Do you know how old your piggy is and has he got any health problems? As I believe even 5-600g is very light for a healthy adult pig. (I think 800-1000g is ideal). What do you currently feed him?
Hi!
Can you please give us more background?
How old is your guinea pig? How long have you had it? What is its background and does it have any ongoing health problems?
Just fattening up with junk food is not a good solution. A long term balanced general diet is the best way of achieving the genetically determined ideal weight/size in the longer term, as it is boosting both health and the chances of a longer life. Weight is less important than health when the chips are down. Even a small guinea pig can be perfectly healthy in itself and lead a healthy normal life; just a you have small and tall humans and not all same size ones.
If you have still got a sub-adult, then your guinea pig will still have plenty of time to reach its own optimum on a good diet; piggies don't reach adulthood until they are 15 months old and they can keep growing until they are 2 years of age and have to make up for deficits in their youth. As long as your piggy has a good feel around the ribcage (you can just about feel the ribs but they are not sticking or are covered in flesh), then your piggy is perfectly healthy as it is and doesn't need fattening up.
Unlimited hay is key to good health and a longer life. It should make over 80% of the daily food intake. A carefully balanced low calcium but high vitamin C mix of veg provides a wide range of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. A very limited amount of pellets gives some more vitamin C - but the more pellets and veg you feed, the less vital hay your guinea pig eats. If you overfeed on pellets and fattening veg like carrots, the more damaging yellow fat you build up around the organs.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight