Baby Confetti Piggy won't eat veges or oranges...is this normal

HollyNH · #1 02-02-08, 04:21 pm

We're new to cavies and we have a baby piggy that we love dearly. We got Confetti two days ago. However, after two days of being in his new home, he still won't eat veges or oranges. I've tried cucumbers, carrots greens, cilantro, red bell peppers and a slice of oranges. And he doesn't eat them. He is eating his pellets and some timothy hay, but that's about it. Being so young, should I be concerned about it. I heard that piggies just love fruits and veges. What should I do???

**newpiggiemommy** · #2 02-02-08, 04:36 pm

Try romaine lettuce! I think that is the most important veggie for them! My babies are only 8 days old and they are eating veggies!

Keep trying different veggies (not so much on the fruit, as it is not as good for them).

Check the teeth and make sure they aren't over grown or broken!

How old is your piggie? How long have you had it? Where did you get it?

**Ly&Pigs** · #3 02-02-08, 04:37 pm

You've had him for 2 days so he's still getting used to you and his new home/surroundings. If he's never had veggies before, it will take time to get him to eat them. He probably doesn't know what they are. Start with one or two basic things- lettuce (any variety but iceburg) and bell pepper. Offer small amounts a few times per day and let it sit in the cage for a couple hours. He will eventually get curious and start eating it.

After he starts eating those things, then add in only 1 new thing every 3-4 days. Don't worry about oranges at this point. They are acidic and don't contain hardly any C. It's pretty much a misconception that oranges are high in C because they truly aren't.

It may take him a couple of weeks to start eating veggies at all. In the meantime, make sure he has a plain high quality pellet to ensure vitamin C intake and unlimited grass hay.

HollyNH · #4 02-02-08, 04:56 pm

We got him on Thursday night 3/31,, from my son's friend who's piggy had babies. I believe that he's about 5 weeks old. He's got a great personality and we love him to bits!

I just put a small bowl of carrots, cut in small strips in his cage along with a yellow bell pepper strip and a grape. He licked the grape (which was adorable), sniffed the pepper and grabbed the carrot and ate the whole dang thing! Yippee! He likes carrots!

In order for him to not hide in his house, I took the house out so he would roam and find the veges. It worked.
I'm very relieved.

Thanks for helping me. I'll be sure to continue to go to this forum as much as I need to make sure Confetti lives a healthy happy life with us!

**Ly&Pigs** · #5 02-02-08, 05:42 pm

Go easy on carrots. They aren't all that good for pigs and are considered more of a "treat" type veggie. They need to be limited to no more than 1 baby carrot per day per pig.

Read the Nutrition charts thread and the sample menus thread. They are both sticky threads at the top of this forum section.

I'd also add some leafy greens to his diet. Romaine/red or green leaf lettuce would be good. Leafy greens should make up a good portion of his daily intake of veggies.

**Ly&Pigs** · #6 02-02-08, 05:45 pm

Go easy on carrots. They aren't all that good for pigs and are considered more of a "treat" type veggie. They need to be limited to no more than 1 baby carrot per day per pig.

Read the Nutrition charts thread and the sample menus thread. They are both sticky threads at the top of this forum section.

I'd also add some leafy greens to his diet. Romaine/red or green leaf lettuce would be good. Leafy greens should make up a good portion of his daily intake of veggies.

It would also be in his best interest to get him a C&C cage and a buddy as piggies are very social creatures.

**Sammy and Peanut** · #7 02-02-08, 08:52 pm

He was probably still a little shy. It takes some patience for him to get used to his new home. Think about this... Lets say that you have lived in the same place for the longest time. Then one day some one puts you in a box and brings you to a new place. Then some food was put down into your room. Would you want to eat it, or would you want to wait a little and explore? That is the situation that pigs are in.

**julsie** · #8 02-04-08, 05:58 am

When I first fed my piggies grapes, they wouldn't touch them, Then I tried cutting them in half, and they smelled the juice and ate them. Grapes aren't a good food for every day, but a nice treat if your pig likes them.

Good luck with your new pig! The more yummy veggies he gets, the more likely he is to try new ones, so don't give up!

**pignewton** · #9 02-04-08, 10:03 am

Please put his hidey back in the cage. He really needs it to feel secure.

**Ly&Pigs** · #10 02-04-08, 02:24 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by pignewton

Please put his hidey back in the cage. He really needs it to feel secure.

She only took it out for a few minutes to get him to come out and eat veggies. In my opinion, that is fine to do. When it's not ok is when you take the hidey out and leave it out or leave it out for several hours. That doesn't seem to be the case here.

**Feylin** · #11 02-04-08, 08:05 pm

Hi- I'm a new owner too! Don't worry- Fred took at least a week to find veggies. he didn't eat any hay until I got him a friend. It's AMAZING how different his personality is now. If you think your little boy is cute just wait till he's popcorning and running around his C&C cage.

**pignewton** · #12 02-04-08, 11:52 pm

Sorry if I misunderstood - I thought she was permanently taking away the hidey. I agree that a few minutes is okay.

**talla's mommy** · #13 02-05-08, 04:55 pm

It took my Talla about a week or so to eat her veggies. She loves them now though! Her favorites are romaine lettuce, celery, green beans, kale, and paresley. She wont eat her peppers..I've tried mixing them with other things but she never eats them. If you're still having trouble trying cutting them into small pieces..thats what I have to do with Talla.

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