Increased Appetite

[cusunfireguy]

Hi everyone! I have a quick question: I have had my 2 girls now since January 9th. In the last week, they have started eating a great deal more than they used to. They used to eat the salad I would give them in the morning thruought the day but now they are gobbling it down very quickly and have started screaming at me every time I open the refrigerator wanting more. They get a pretty good size portion in the morning containing the following: romaine, baby carrots, peppers(various), cucumber, parsley, and raddish(not always). Is this normal that they want more? I feel bad when they start squeaking but I don't want to over feed them.

Thanks!

Steven

[Fay]

Oh god you don't know half of it! My pigs wheek on every wristling of a bag or when I come home. If it was up to them they would be eating non stop.

The reason why they we're eating less could be because they were still getting used to their new environment and probably new diet.

What you could try is leave out some pieces of vegetable from their main meals so that you can give them a little bit everytime they wheek for food. Good way too bond as well!

[BAll3rinA]

Hey it's a good thing they are eating more and wanting more food! They are happier!

[Ly&Pigs]

Are you providing them unlimited grass hay?

[cusunfireguy]

Yes, they have unlimited Timothy Hay as well as pellets.

Steven

[this_lil_piggy]

It is pretty normal behavior. They have warmed up to their environment and learned to identify you and particular noises as a food source. I have 6 that wheek and squeal at me everytime I open the fridge, slice veggies, rattle anything, and at times even when I walk past their cage. Even when they already have a plate of veggies sitting in front of them.

What most of us do is feed our pigs twice a day rather than once. Try splitting their veggie feeding up...give them half of it in the morning and half in the evening. These little critters can't make or maintain Vit C so it helps them maintain a better level if they are getting portions spaced out rather than all at once and then not getting more for another 24 hours. They will appreciate getting veggie treats more twice a day too, even if it isn't actual more.

[Terekins]

I know how you feel! I'm such a sucker, I have to give them a treat almost everytime they wheek. I'm afraid they'll be sad if I don't, I suppose Sometimes I have get my boyfriend to go over to their cage to turn their light off at night, or get something that's near the cage, because I know that if I go near the cage they'll wheek and I won't be able to resist! They don't usually wheek at him, so I guess they know who has the food.

[muffin]

I'm the exact opposite, in that I'm very strict with feedings. My piggies get two veggie feedings, once in the morning and again at dinner time. In between these I refresh their timmy hay if I'm around, even though they have a huge pile of it to eat anyway, but that doesn't get more than interested excitement. I don't get squeaks unless it's near veggie time or a plate gets clinked. They have learned that the noise of the downstairs door opening at the right time of day means veggies may be coming and that gets lots of squeaks. When the dishwasher is being emptied they go beserk!

When I first got my piggies they barely touched veggies, but like yours, all of a sudden one day the routine just clicked with them and they realised it was a right not a privilege! They wolf theirs down now- it's very much a case of eat as much as you can before the other piggy gets to it.

[Wheek Weak]

Your post was very timely because I was about to post about our piggies having more of an appetite recently.

We feed twice a day but, within the past week, they have been eating everything in sight and begging for more.

I was just wondering if it had something to do with it being spring-time. It seemed like as soon as the time changed, so did their appetite.

Our babies aren't young'uns like yours are. We have had them all for over a year.

It could very well be that yours are finally adapting to their new environment, along with a combination of it being spring-time.

If anyone else is noticing this change in their piggies at this time, I would sure be interested in the information.

[Jenah]

My girls have seemed to have an increased appetite as well. Even Emma - who has in general been a quiet girl, has started to wheek as if she wants treats. Now I don't give her treats every single time. But I've been testing the waters. And with her increased wheeking and the times that Pilot decides to chew on the cage - I add a bit more Timothy to their pen and then voila! They are happy and digging in.

And here is the thing - I think they are getting spoiled and a tad picky. Because I give them UNLIMITED hay [oh my - a hay rack, a big hay box, etc.] and I think that of course they want the FRESHER right out of the box strands thank you very much!! LOL Not the stuff we've just dug through and sat on and walked on.....

OY spoiled piggies. But yes, a definite increase in appetite where even I noticed my oldest girl actually putting on a bit of weight. And she is over 2.5 years old.

[Piggersrule]

It's very normal and a good sign that they are happy and healthy...eat up piggies!!