Overweight piggies need a diet

[leesurr]

I went to the vet a few months ago and found out that my pigs are on the larger side. Pepper weights a hefty 1300kg and Molly and Zelda at 1000kg! My vet told me that 1200kg was the max weight. I've been trying to restrict their diet a little bit (putting the pellets in only at certain times of the day- told by vet, giving them more hay) They are by no means straving! I feed them veggies everyday and wonder if I should start to limit those. I usually give them lettuce, spinach,, tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, carrots and some other special veggie of the week (corn). I also feed them fresh grass every night. Any other veggies that I should be feeding them? They are by all means healthy and happy, but as they get older I don't want their "poor" diet to cause any health problems.

I just realized that my pellets are alfafa based, so I'll be getting timothy-based tomorrow. I came up with a feeding schedule, only giving them 2 or 3 veggies in the morning and at night, and then rotating them throughout the week.

Ex.
Mon AM - green lettuce, spinach, cilantro
Mon PM - red lettuce, cucumber, carrot

Tues AM - red lettuce, celery, carrot
Tues PM - green lettuce, tomato, fresh grass

etc.

I also have the proper portions for each pig (any suggestions for those?). Does this seem like a good menu to follow? Of course, I'll be giving them pellets for a few hours in the morning and at night and plenty of hay! I would love any suggestions that you can give me

[LifeAsItMayBe]

I assume you meant grams, not kilograms, right? Those would be some hefty pigs! The veggies sound good, and I don't think they will make your pigs fat. It is usually a result of too many pellets.

[madelineelaine]

My pigs are also getting up there in weight, and I would definitely limet the pellets before the veggies. Also, a bigger cage mighth help, they can exercise more.

[Zuidy]

A bigger cage, less pellets.

Also, corn is not good for Pigs. You can feed husks, but not the corn itself.

[PigPandemonium]

@Zuidy Actually you can feed corn, as long as it's not cooked, pigs love to strip the cob fully of it. Though it can't be feed daily, only about once a week or less. The husk and silk can be feed daily.

[Zuidy]

@Zuidy Actually you can feed corn, as long as it's not cooked, pigs love to strip the cob fully of it. Though it can't be feed daily, only about once a week or less. The husk and silk can be feed daily.

Sorry.

[jacqueline]

my understanding about pellets is that each grown guinea pig should get 1/4 cup per day. i give mine 1/8 cup (which is about 1 Tablespoon) twice a day.

[leesurr]

I assume you meant grams, not kilograms, right? Those would be some hefty pigs! The veggies sound good, and I don't think they will make your pigs fat. It is usually a result of too many pellets.

Oh kgs definitely!

[leesurr]

Do you have multiple pigs? How do you make sure each is getting enough?

[PigPandemonium]

Just make sure you have about a bowl for each pig, then put 1/8 a cup pellets in each bowl. Hay is the most important thing, so much sure they have good quality unlimited hay. Pellets are the least important.