weight loss

[trioguineapig3]

I just weighed my pigs today (slightly later than usual like 25 minutes maybe) my youngest 3 gained weight one of the older 3 lost weight but last week she gained and she gains then looses each weighing. but the other 2 older ones has lost weight again they've lost weight 3 weigh ins no more than 30 grams each time between 12-29 grams . i usually weigh every 2 weeks but I decided to weigh today in hopes they'd gain. they live outside and it's winter here they get 4 cups of veg between the 6 and 1/8 pellets each and i've started giving more at night since it's colder. could the weather have anything to do with it? they eat fine too, one of them lost 71 grams in 5 weeks and the other lost 47 in 5 weeks. btw the ones that lost are 9 months old

 

[Wiebke]

I just weighed my pigs today (slightly later than usual like 25 minutes maybe) my youngest 3 gained weight one of the older 3 lost weight but last week she gained and she gains then looses each weighing. but the other 2 older ones has lost weight again they've lost weight 3 weigh ins no more than 30 grams each time between 12-29 grams . i usually weigh every 2 weeks but I decided to weigh today in hopes they'd gain. they live outside and it's winter here they get 4 cups of veg between the 6 and 1/8 pellets each and i've started giving more at night since it's colder. could the weather have anything to do with it? they eat fine too, one of them lost 71 grams in 5 weeks and the other lost 47 in 5 weeks. btw the ones that lost are 9 months old

Hi! Is your hutch insulated in any way, have you got plenty of hay for the snuggle into and keep warm and use microwaveable snugglesafes?

Guinea pigs are not hardy and should live in the same temperature range we humans are most comfortable (15-25 C). If you feel hot, your guinea pigs are overheating and if you need a coat, your guinea pigs are already freezing. ideally you bring your piggies indoors during the winter months, out of the cold and wet.
Cold Weather Care For Guinea Pigs
Hot weather management and heat strokes

 

[trioguineapig3]

Hi! Is your hutch insulated in any way, have you got plenty of hay for the snuggle into and keep warm and use microwaveable snugglesafes?

Guinea pigs are not hardy and should live in the same temperature range we humans are most comfortable (15-25 C). If you feel hot, your guinea pigs are overheating and if you need a coat, your guinea pigs are already freezing. ideally you bring your piggies indoors during the winter months, out of the cold and wet.
Cold Weather Care For Guinea Pigs
Hot weather management and heat strokes

no it's not, i use a heater during the day and evening. i can't bring them inside i've no room. i usually give them heat pads at night

 

[Claire W]

You can buy hutch huggers for hutches which are brilliant. Alternatively, you can cover the hutch with silver loft insulation bubble wrap, most hardware stores sell it or you can buy it online, that will help insulate the hutch. You then cover with a sheet of tarpaulin to keep the rain off
Use lots and lots of hay for them to snuggle up in to to keep warm and give them cardboard boxes stuffed with hay that they can get inside of. Fleecy snuggle sacks and beds are also good are microwave heat pads. It's great that you are using them and a heater. Yes, they could be losing a bit of weight if they're too cold as they will be using up energy in order to keep warm. What Country are you located in?
@Betsy and @Lady Kelly have outdoor piggies so may have more advise

 

[trioguineapig3]

You can buy hutch huggers for hutches which are brilliant. Alternatively, you can cover the hutch with silver loft insulation bubble wrap, most hardware stores sell it or you can buy it online, that will help insulate the hutch. You then cover with a sheet of tarpaulin to keep the rain off
Use lots and lots of hay for them to snuggle up in to to keep warm and give them cardboard boxes stuffed with hay that they can get inside of. Fleecy snuggle sacks and beds are also good are microwave heat pads. It's great that you are using them and a heater. Yes, they could be losing a bit of weight if they're too cold as they will be using up energy in order to keep warm. What Country are you located in?
@Betsy and @Lady Kelly have outdoor piggies so may have more advise

thank you i have those snuggle safe beds i put hot water bottles in and i got that heat bulb thing we just set up today. i noticed the heat pads didnt stay warm long even with hay over them so thats why i was using hot water bottle in the hutch and put a fleece blanket over it as one of the doors is broken. could i use barley straw?

 

[Betsy]

Straw is a no no with piggies. It is too hard for them and can cause nasty eye injuries. Best to stick with hay.