How do you make them lose weight!

[Wheekie]

My vet says my piggies need to lose weight. He's been telling me that for about 6 months now.(They're only about 40-50 grams overweight, but he wants to stop it now cause they're both about three. They both have recently had blood tests and wellness exams, and they're both in great health but they keep gaining weight! I only give them less than a handful of pellets a day, unlimited hay, romaine,red and green leaf lettuce, carrots and cucumbers(they're the only veggies they'll touch after 3 years of trying and they don't get them daily),and once in a great while, a raisin cause I know they're not good for them, but they love them and a little cantaloupe. They don't look fatter to me, but he says they are. They're both pretty active, real sweethearts! Any suggestions as to what I can do? I've been giving them less and less of everything for 6 months now, but it doesn't do any good! He's a really great cavy specialist so I'm sure their health really is fine. He's removed a tumor from one and the other one had a neurological problem 3 years ago that he fixed just great! Help!

[wiggley_narco]

How much do your guinea pigs weigh?

[newpiggiemommy]

Okay! I just had this picture in my head of a miniature treadmill made especially for overweight piggies! :P

How much do they weigh?

[bamby71994]

How long do you let them explore for?? They might need more time out and about! How much veggies and food do you feed them??

[Wheekie]

One weighs 1360 grams and the other weighs 1270 grams. Whenever I give them floor time, they just find the nearest thing to hide under and sit there! They're more active in their cage! I've tried clearing away everything that they could possibly get under when I give them floor time, but then they look at me so sad and I feel just awful! I give them pellets in the morning and again around dinner time(less than 1/2 handful each time), unlimited hay and they get veggies only about every 3 days cause I can't afford anymore. They're both always "begging" for more food...it's hard, but I don't give in! I usually have to walk away from them cause they can break my heart!

[Wheekie]

Originally Posted by Wheekie

One weighs 1360 grams and the other weighs 1270 grams. Whenever I give them floor time, they just find the nearest thing to hide under and sit there! They're more active in their cage! I've tried clearing away everything that they could possibly get under when I give them floor time, but then they look at me so sad and I feel just awful! I give them pellets in the morning and again around dinner time(less than 1/2 handful each time), unlimited hay and they get veggies only about every 3 days cause I can't afford anymore. They're both always "begging" for more food...it's hard, but I don't give in! I usually have to walk away from them cause they can break my heart!

Today, I put them in their playpen with a few toys, but absolutely nothing to hide under...so what do they do?! Go sit in a corner glaring at me, all bug-eyed and looking scared to death! I can't stand them looking like that, so I ended up crawling in the playpen with them, talking to them, reassuring them and pretty soon, they were hopping all over the place! Guess that's what I have to do to get them moving! That's OK! I love them soooo much!

[aaronmeister]

Try limiting their pellets. That is where most pigs gain weight.

[Ly&Pigs]

I don't feel they are really overweight. For boars it can be normal for them to weigh those weights. The thing that concerns me is you feeding them veggies only every 3 days. Did you cut back because you can't afford the veggies or because of your vet saying they are overweight? They really need veggies on a daily basis so they can get their C.

[Rachy1412]

I had to giggle when I saw their weights... My biggest boar used to weigh over 1600grams before he developed teeth issues. Vet said he was just generally big! Like a small rabbit.

[Wheekie]

I can't afford them all the time, but I know they need them. I'm going to do better...somehow. I just wish I could get them to eat some Vit C rich veggies. I've tried just about everything...even things other people swear by,my picky piggies won't touch them! Right now, I have a big bunch of Cilantro rotting in my fridge! I'd never cut down on their veggies cause the vet said for them to lose weight-I do know better than that!

[daftscotslass]

Ditto to the above, I don't think they need to lose weight. Daily veggies are a necessity for piggies, not a luxury.