my cavy is to skinny

[DeadIrishD]

I had gotting a cavy but is a tad bit to skinny and was wondering good ways to put weight on her quick, her hair is dryer than I would like it to be, but does not seem to be too sick, she has some weird metal thing in her ear ugh... I have never seen a cavy in such bad shape.

 

[Piglet]

Where did you get this pig from? The metal thing could have been put there by a breeder or from a show. She needs to be fed 1 cup of fresh vegetables daily. Look at https://www.guinealynx.info/nutrition.html for suggestions. She needs unlimited hay. Do you think she is older than 6 months? If so she needs timothy hay. If not she needs alfalfa hay. You can also give her pellets. The brand Oxbow is the best and it is the most widely used on here.

What does her coat look like? Can you see any "dandruff" or flaky skin?

 

[DeadIrishD]

I got it as it was a rescue from someone who had taking it in.

yeah I think that she is older than 6 months, and her coat is rough, and course almost like doll hair, compared to the normal smooth feeling.

 

[Sabriel]

Does she look like she has curls? Short ones, like a human's closely cropped? You may have a abysinian. Like this:



If so then the hair is A-Ok. Abys are a breed. Kinda like a main coon is to a cat.

 

[DeadIrishD]

actually its fur is straight down like a "normal" guinea pig, generally guinea pigs are shy, but the one that I have will approach me and try to nibble at my foot.

 

[Sabriel]

Yes, strange little creatures aren't they. Sakura likes to sit on my foot. You pig may have aby blood in her. They have course hair. Maybe she is a cross bread.

 

[DeadIrishD]

maybe, I just didnt want anything to be wrong with her.

 

[Sabriel]

Is she itchy? Does she have dandruff? Is her fur patchy? Unless you see signs other then course hair, then I think your pig just has plain old course hair. Pigs are like humans, some are blessed with things that other pigs could only dream of I have a ridgeback, an aby and something I'm not quite sure of yet. They all have different feels to thier coats.

 

[DeadIrishD]

I don't think that she is itchy or anything, all I see is course hair so pretty much there is nothing I can do to change that, I know in dogs I give them raw eggs to help every once in a while, well when I had dogs. .

but if I am not mistaking g pigs are mainly vegiterians? but will a boiled egg once a week or so hurt?

 

[VoodooJoint]

if I am not mistaking g pigs are mainly vegiterians? but will a boiled egg once a week or so hurt?

Yes it will hurt. GPs are strict vegetarians. You can kill her by giving her animal products.

Make sure she has a high quality pellet like Oxbox. Excellent hay and unlimited access to it and plenty of appropriate veggies like romaine lettuce, bell pepper, cilantro, a little carrot (not too much), etc... This nutrition page https://www.guinealynx.info/nutrition.html#lists and veggie list https://www.guinealynx.info/nutrition.html#veg should help. Avoid veggies with too much calcium. They cause bladder stones and sludge,

With a good diet your GP should be looking pretty in no time. However a vet chack is always a good idea.

 

[DeadIrishD]

Alright, Thanks everyone

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Do you have a kitchen scale? You need to be weighing her.

What are you feeding her?

Has a vet examined her teeth?

 

[DeadIrishD]

I just got her the other day, I know that it is blue seal but do not know exactly what kind......

no I do not have a kitchen scale, but will pick one up tomorrow or sometime soon as far as making a vet appointment, I will look around soon for a vet to actually check in with soon.

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Blue seal pellets? Oxbow is better. What about hay? She needs lots of grass hay.

https://www.guinealynx.info/healthycavy.html#diet

 

[DeadIrishD]

any large pet stores that sell Oxbow, that I would be in NH?

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

You can try to find stores near you through their website. Just enter your zip code.

(broken link removed)

 

[DeadIrishD]

ugh.... there isnt any near me, is there a 2nd best choice? or another way of me finding it, I do not buy stuff online, never did never will.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Check with Vets in your area, they may order it for you.

 

[My Baby Mu]

I think that the #2 pellet that is know by most people is Kaytee Timothy Complete.

 

[Funnygpigs]

Just an FYI, I looked on this site, all the phone numbers they gave me were old, disconected or wrong. I hope they can give you better info on local suppliers. Plus, a lot of the online stores charge $10+ to ship $20 worth of food. I did not find any suppliers that sold in washington around me. I also checked local vet offices, they do not sell it or carry it. Any second brand that any one suggest that is just as good as OXbow, or close to it? I would appreciate some suggestions (especially after reading all the bad stuff some brands have in them). Thank you.

You can try to find stores near you through their website. Just enter your zip code.
(broken link removed)