Hello everyone.
So, I have a guinea pig that I've had for a month now, named Chestnut. During the first couple of weeks of Chestnut being with us, he always ate his hay, and I constantly needed to refill it. Less than a week ago, my fiance and I went on a week and a half long trip and Chestnut stayed with a friend. I gave her detailed instructions, but I know that she may have fed him too much "junk food" while he was with her (apples, etc).
But now he's back home with us, and I've noticed that he isn't touching his hay at all. He has no problem eating his pellets, vitamin C treat, and veggies (as well as drinks lots of water), but he doesn't want to touch his hay at all. I took him to the vet a few days ago, and she said that he looks 100% healthy, but of course to bring him back if he stops eating any food and stops drinking.
I called in this afternoon and asked for more advice. The vet tech on the phone recommended to not bring him in immediately, since his vet just checked him out, no less than 5 days ago. She said to try mixing up his hay options. So, I bought him a hay ball, timothy hay mixed with carrot, and orchard hay. He'll grab the hay from my hand when I try to hand-feed him, but drops it almost immediately. And with the hay ball, he'll nibble on it a bit, but won't actually eat it.
I'm going to call first thing tomorrow morning when the vet opens to schedule an appointment, but should I be worried? Or is it possible that he was just too spoiled and now just doesn't want hay? Either way, he'll be going to the vet sometime soon.
So, I have a guinea pig that I've had for a month now, named Chestnut. During the first couple of weeks of Chestnut being with us, he always ate his hay, and I constantly needed to refill it. Less than a week ago, my fiance and I went on a week and a half long trip and Chestnut stayed with a friend. I gave her detailed instructions, but I know that she may have fed him too much "junk food" while he was with her (apples, etc).
But now he's back home with us, and I've noticed that he isn't touching his hay at all. He has no problem eating his pellets, vitamin C treat, and veggies (as well as drinks lots of water), but he doesn't want to touch his hay at all. I took him to the vet a few days ago, and she said that he looks 100% healthy, but of course to bring him back if he stops eating any food and stops drinking.
I called in this afternoon and asked for more advice. The vet tech on the phone recommended to not bring him in immediately, since his vet just checked him out, no less than 5 days ago. She said to try mixing up his hay options. So, I bought him a hay ball, timothy hay mixed with carrot, and orchard hay. He'll grab the hay from my hand when I try to hand-feed him, but drops it almost immediately. And with the hay ball, he'll nibble on it a bit, but won't actually eat it.
I'm going to call first thing tomorrow morning when the vet opens to schedule an appointment, but should I be worried? Or is it possible that he was just too spoiled and now just doesn't want hay? Either way, he'll be going to the vet sometime soon.