Is it ok if they eat mostly hay and not much pellets?

[ktgrok]

Over the last few days I have noticed the piggies are eating mostly hay and veggies, and not a lot of pellets at all. I didn't think anything of it, but now and worried they are missing out on nutrition. Do they need much in the way of pellets, if they eat tons of hay,and about a cup of veggies a day? The pellets are Cavy Cuisine, I recently switched to that, as the previous ones were alfalfa based, which I know isn't as good for adult pigs. How much pig food should a pig eat? They used to eat more, but I gave them less hay then. I only put hay in as a supplement, now I make sure they always have access to it. Any thoughts?

Katie

 

[mrs_eads80]

As long as they are getting unlimited hay and a good anount of Veggies. it is okay that they don't eat much pellets. But I would not take the pellets away. They may just need time to get use to the new brand

 

[kennethlhm]

my gals also eat hay & vege > pellet mix.

 

[Dravena]

Full access to hay and enough veggies to cover the need of Vitamin C is most important for them. As long as that is taken care of, I think they'll be allright! My piggies don't eat more than 1-2 tablespoons each per day.

 

[LiciaMommycott]

Pellet solution? Feedback please...

Over the last few days I have noticed the piggies are eating mostly hay and veggies, and not a lot of pellets at all.

I too have a pig like this. I've only had him a week and he hasn't gained a lot of weight. He's only my 2nd pig so I can only compared him to my 1st who ate everything and gained weight super fast. This worries me so I've been trying to get him to eat more pellets with some success. Can anyone in the know tell me if I should even be trying to get him to eat them and if my way is ok.

Here's what I did:
I dribbled some peach juice on some pellets and softened them up (I was eating a peach at the time). He didn't go for them but did try to eat my human baby's apple sauce so I mixed a little (< 1/2 tsp) of that with the mushy pellets. He started eating those and as he did, I kept dropping fresh crunchy pellets onto the pile and he ate those. He actually ate quite a bit. I'm thinking this way I could get him used to eating pellets.

However, is this drama even necessary? And, is it ok for him to have applesauce? I would assume so, as is the unsweetened kind and the only ingredients are apples, water and ascorbic acid (vitamin c). I don't put very much in because I don't want him to get diarrea (sp?).

 

[tashagurl]

The applesauce is ok. It is actually one of the things recromended to feed them through a syringe.( Like if their teeth broke and they cant eat hard food).

 

[Treen]

LiciaMommycott, do you know if you're feeding him the same type of pellets as he was having wherever he was before? It might be that he's not used to the new ones, so getting a bit of what he was eating before and weaning him on to the new type could help.

Often new pigs don't seem to eat an awful lot in their first week or so. It takes them a while to relax and feel brave enough to take what's put before them (especially if they've not been given many veggies etc before). Personally I'd avoid giving him a taste for things like apple sauce - keep a close eye on his weight but as long as he isn't losing any, he'll probably be fine and start eating more as he settles in. Just keep offering a variety of veggies along with his hay and pellets. Try some grass too.

Often pigs housed alone are more nervous and less willing to try new foods. Will he have a buddy soon? https://www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm


Ktgrok - mine don't eat much in the way of pellets either. Basically pellets are a complete feed, but if you're feeding them a good quality hay and a variety of fresh veggies daily, they should get everything they need from that. So if they only have a few pellets, it's nothing to worry about. I give mine readigrass too - it's basically just a dried grass product made for horses. They love it and as grass is their natural diet, it's a good thing for them to fill up on, and it adds a bit of extra variety to their diet.

 

[LiciaMommycott]

LiciaMommycott, do you know if you're feeding him the same type of pellets as he was having wherever he was before?

Unknown as to type of pellets since he is new. However, my current pellets came from Kleenmama's Hay loft in an unmarked bag so I'm not even sure what they are. I've ordered some Oxbow Cavy Performance pellets for him.

Personally I'd avoid giving him a taste for things like apple sauce - keep a close eye on his weight but as long as he isn't losing any, he'll probably be fine and start eating more as he settles in.

Actually after two meals of apple sauce mixed in, he started eating plain pellets. It's probably what you said, he has settled in and is now eating (and gaining weight!)

Often pigs housed alone are more nervous and less willing to try new foods. Will he have a buddy soon?

No worries...he IS the buddy. I had another pig since Valentine's Day (I always knew we needed two but had to ease my husband into the idea). Two weeks ago we picked up this little guy. It turns out that my husband found him first and when I started talking about a second pig, he steered me in the direction of this guy.

Now they run around the cage like mad chasing each other and popcorning (my 1st popcorn for the original pig so I know he's happy to have a friend). My only fear is that with the alfalfa hay in the cage and now the cavy performance cuisine, the first pig is going to be even more obese than he is now. Oh well, now he gets more exercise.

 

[Treen]

It's great news that he's finally eating more, LiciaMommycott and it sounds like he and his friends are very happy together - hurrah!

If you're giving alfalfa based pellets, I wouldn't worry too much about having alfalfa in the cage too, especially if the other one is prone to tubbiness. If the little fella likes it, you could always just offer him some on his own - maybe when you have the older one out for a cuddle?