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Original poster

Overweight Guinea Pig... can I not be concerned?

30 replies

Meggymoo777 · 10/04/2023 02:17

Okay... normally I would be concerned but... I have 2 pigs (originally my sons pets but have become my adored girls since the second I brought them home). They are 3.5yrs and unfortunately, one of my girls (initially) lost the use of both her back legs for a time, OOH vets and then regular vets could find nothing wrong. Nothing showed up in X-ray etc. Then she regained full use of her one of the legs but the other now drags behind her. They have no explanation for what happened? This was about 1yr ago.

Have been told to keep her clean and comfy, that she's healthy otherwise and my vet has consulted with some exotic vet colleagues re: amputation if it comes to it. Her concern was sores etc but my girl is doing great. Definitely muscle wastage on that leg but she's a really happy girl from what I can tell.

My question is... she's (at least) 1550g. Waaay over what she should be. She's a total chonk. My other girl is a healthy weight. They both get the same treatment, food and exercise time. She's due a check up again in 2mos so I'll ask the vet about her size. But given that she won't live forever, should I be really worried about her weight?... or should I just make sure she's happy, comfortable, loved and fed and not focus on her weight too much given her disability?

OP posts:
TakeMyStrongHand · 10/04/2023 02:55

I'm fairly certain my DD didn't weigh much more than that at birth. Chonk (my new favourite word) is correct! I suppose she can't move around much to burn off the food and is now a lazy overeater? I wouldn't worry too much but maybe get her to lay off the lettuce a bit.

starpatch · 10/04/2023 08:45

Oh its difficult as she can't exercise. Just make sure she gets lots of grass to eat. When it is dry and warm in the summer I would even put her out on grass for long periods if you have a garden (but keeping an eye on her).

Original poster
Meggymoo777 · 10/04/2023 09:05

I know right? She's massive @TakeMyStrongHand!!! You're absolutely right, she's a lazy little over eater. But she can't really help it, she can't do zoomies much anymore, can't really popcorn and I'm concerned about having her on the carpet too much in case of burn. But she'll also wheek insanely loud every time the fridge opens and demands her kibble is full to the brim and if it's not, she'll wheek every time I pass. She's a clever little mare 😅 But she's become quite food obsessed.
@starpatch yes, once the weather improves she'll be out a lot more in the garden so maybe that will burn some of the fatness. Do you think I should separate them when eating? Limit her food intake? Or just leave her be?

OP posts:
halfsiesonapotnoodle · 10/04/2023 09:09

Op, does she have copious amounts of hay throughout the day? Not just veg and nuggets?

Original poster
Meggymoo777 · 10/04/2023 09:10

Yup @halfsiesonapotnoodle always a full hay rack 👍

OP posts:
halfsiesonapotnoodle · 10/04/2023 09:13

That's good re the hay. Well, tbh I'd just let her enjoy life doing her thing then. Guinea pigs live to eat and I couldn't bear to deny her what she loves.

Original poster
Meggymoo777 · 10/04/2023 11:20

Thanks @halfsiesonapotnoodle That's the way I have been leaning, I just want her to be happy while she's with us, which won't be forever obviously. But I've been really thinking that this is an irresponsible attitude. I wouldn't have this attitude with my other girl because she's fully able bodied.

OP posts:
halfsiesonapotnoodle · 10/04/2023 11:48

I'd only suggest that the nuggets are likely the worst culprits for being quite energy dense, so perhaps you could slightly reduce those if you were worried still.

RandomMess · 10/04/2023 12:07

I would limit her food intake. It's a vicious circle the more of a chunk she becomes the less able she will be able to zoom and semi popcorn.

IsolatedWilderness · 10/04/2023 12:09

That's huge for a guinea pig. What kind of hay are you using?

bondsy · 10/04/2023 12:19

Worth looking into calcium levels OP. I was reading this thread about a Guinea who couldn't walk properly and calcium levels is mentioned.

www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/bonnie-cant-use-her-back-legs.141784/

I would be wary about limiting food unless the vet advises.

Poor little bean.

Original poster
Meggymoo777 · 10/04/2023 12:23

I'm using meadow hay @IsolatedWilderness - is there a less fattening type maybe? I know, she's really big, she's even on the larger end of the scale for a male pig. Have attached a photo which kind of shows how chonky she is.

To limit her intake @RandomMess, do I need to separate the girls? I usually keep the hay and kibble topped up at all times, then they have their veggies for dinner in the evening.

Overweight Guinea Pig... can I not be concerned?
OP posts:
Original poster
Meggymoo777 · 10/04/2023 12:24

bondsy · 10/04/2023 12:19

Worth looking into calcium levels OP. I was reading this thread about a Guinea who couldn't walk properly and calcium levels is mentioned.

www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/bonnie-cant-use-her-back-legs.141784/

I would be wary about limiting food unless the vet advises.

Poor little bean.

Thanks so much for this, I'll give it a read x The vet at the time tested her urine for calcium? This came back normal. Also thought there may have been a lack of vit C but given her diet, they ruled this out.

OP posts:
IsolatedWilderness · 10/04/2023 12:25

Meggymoo777 · 10/04/2023 12:23

I'm using meadow hay @IsolatedWilderness - is there a less fattening type maybe? I know, she's really big, she's even on the larger end of the scale for a male pig. Have attached a photo which kind of shows how chonky she is.

To limit her intake @RandomMess, do I need to separate the girls? I usually keep the hay and kibble topped up at all times, then they have their veggies for dinner in the evening.

Ah okay, just wondered if you might have been using lucerne. That is quite rich and something I usually reserve for nursing mothers and babies. I use oaten but have never heard of meadow hay being a concern. Perhaps a vet check to make sure it's nothing metabolic?

Original poster
Meggymoo777 · 10/04/2023 12:32

Thanks @IsolatedWilderness, she's due a check up again in June, maybe I should bring that forward, I'll give them a call next week I think and see what they reckon.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 10/04/2023 12:38

She looks heavily pregnant 😱

Original poster
Meggymoo777 · 10/04/2023 12:42

I guarantee you she's not @RandomMess! Tbf, I did pick a photo that shows her at her biggest. She's still well able to get around and is quite quick on her feet, but she is a big girl. Should I consider separating them do you think so I can limit her food?

OP posts:
FragranceFree · 10/04/2023 12:42

Are you sure she weighs that much? That's a bag and a half of sugar! Shock

Original poster
Meggymoo777 · 10/04/2023 12:46

Yep @FragranceFree, she was never this big, she's just steadily piled it on since she lost her leg. I've not changed anything diet wise, think it's just lack of exercise and maybe some comfort munching.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 10/04/2023 12:46

You could just separate them for feeding time.

Feed them a smallish amount at the same time then take skinny out and offer her more?

Original poster
Meggymoo777 · 10/04/2023 12:47

As in, just limit the veggies and keep the hay and kibble the same? That could be an idea @RandomMess, thank you

OP posts:
RandomMess · 10/04/2023 12:52

Build an obstacle course/maze with food to find.

Spread food out using your entire home make her walk a few miles!

Find out what is the most calorific food and ban it I guess.

Expect some major sulking!!

custardbear · 10/04/2023 13:03

RandomMess · 10/04/2023 12:38

She looks heavily pregnant 😱

Lol our Guinea pig looked huge too, me abs DH, both biology grads, said she needed more garden time. The next morning she had 3 babies following her around the hutch ... it's now clear her sister Lollipop was not a sister 🙃😂

SausageinaBun · 10/04/2023 13:12

We've got one fat guinea pig and I was advised to cut back on the nuggets. That pair get one my size handful a day now. The internet says 1 tablespoon of nuggets per day, which might even be less than I give. I don't think my fat one is getting fatter, having limited nuggets, but I don't think he's getting thinner either.

Most of their food should be hay. From the Facebook forum I'm on, the advice is to give piles of hay to play in and eat. Hay racks are not advised, as they can be dangerous and limit access to hay for eating. I'd say my piggies trample down the piles of hay quickly, but they definitely eat lots of it too.

RandomMess · 10/04/2023 13:16

@custardbear 😆😆😆😆😆

You got to miss out on spending hours with your hands on her tummy feeling the babies moving 💕