My Pig Dosn't Like Cavy Cousine!

[TinaFabulous]

I herd that cavy cousine was the BEST food for pigs out there, and it was looking like all you guy's piggers love it, so I went and bought 5lbs of it to see for myself. First of all I thought it looked a WHOLE lot better then then the average food I was using.

I gave Furby a little of the cousine that night and in the morning I was supprised to see she didnt eat it. So for the next couple days I decided I would mix both feeds together (a little more of his usual food but pretty much 1/2) and she seemed excited to see some of those brightly colored treats her old feed had, she ate some just out of hunger (I dont think she was particurally happy about the new stuff). Anyways the day before I left for the NFL game she ate all of her food, so I assumed she was happy with the new stuff. I was only going to be gone a day or two (only one night though because we drove home on the second). I left her with about 2-3 days of cavy cousine, 20oz of water, some veggies, lots of hay, and a bowl of water just in case. Anyway when I got home at about 1am the next night she was very attitudy and squealy, So I checked on her the second I got in the house, and there she was with a bowl full of untouched cousine!! I was so shaken, she ate everything except the food and had almost all the water, and there she was sitting there acting as if I starved her. The first thing I did was went to get her a few carrots to make sure she ate something, then I gave her old food with just a pinch of cousine in it, and the second i set it down she stoped squealing and ate it all right there, a small bowl full of food!

Its really alarming, I thinking that maybe I should stick with the old stuff? I've been mixing them latley because I know the cousine is way more healthy, but if she dosnt like it who am I to force her to eat it? Thats like my mom getting me to eat mushrooms and brocoli, or at least thats how I see it.... And furby has made it quite clear she isnt in love with the cousine AT ALL.

 

[loves2travel]

well, she could be addicted to the unhealthy preservatives in the old food (such as the food coloring) that shouldnt be given at all. this is a matter of health, personal likes aside.

 

[TinaFabulous]

I realized it was a heath matter that she should be eating the cousine, but the fact of the matter is if I dont give her the regular food she wont eat at all... And that seems worse. It seems so odd, when I give her the cousine she acts like she is suffering and starts to chew on the cage and squeal (not like her at all).

It sounds like IM doing something wrong the way you put it! All I did was try to give her better food, and if I force it to her all she will do is starve herself. I realize personal likes shouldn't be in the matter, BUT SHE NEEDS TO EAT SOMETHING! And I cant make her eat the cousine, I can offer it to her, but there is nothing more I can do, I mean think about it if you try to give an unwilling pig food what more can you do? For right now she is very set on not eating it, when I leave her with just the cousine all I do is worry if she will eat at all.

 

[NoVeil]

She will not starve. She will eat it if she has nothing else available to her. Make sure she has plenty of veggies and water available during the transition. Toss the old stuff so you won't be tempted to cave in.

 

[MetallichicA]

What about grinding up some hay or some of the old food, and mix it in with the Cavy Cuisine? Also what NoVeil said - if that's all she's got, she will probably eventually give up and eat it!

I don't think anyone was accusing you of doing something wrong; I'm not sure where you even got that impression from.

 

[loves2travel]

I realized it was a heath matter that she should be eating the cousine, but the fact of the matter is if I dont give her the regular food she wont eat at all... And that seems worse. It seems so odd, when I give her the cousine she acts like she is suffering and starts to chew on the cage and squeal (not like her at all).

It sounds like IM doing something wrong the way you put it! All I did was try to give her better food, and if I force it to her all she will do is starve herself. I realize personal likes shouldn't be in the matter, BUT SHE NEEDS TO EAT SOMETHING! And I cant make her eat the cousine, I can offer it to her, but there is nothing more I can do, I mean think about it if you try to give an unwilling pig food what more can you do? For right now she is very set on not eating it, when I leave her with just the cousine all I do is worry if she will eat at all.

oh no!!!!!! i didnt mean to sound degrading AT ALL!!!! Kudos for you on going out and spending the extra money to enhance her health, all i was saying was dont let her pickiness discourage you because there is no doubt you should definately stay with cavy cuisine. try mixing half and half of each to begin with, and slowly lessening the amount of old food. soon, she'll get used to it.

again, sorry if you thought i was rude.

 

[TinaFabulous]

o no its ok, its just hard to tell with typing and all.... Ya she seems to be ok with half and half for now and I will work down

 

[TinaFabulous]

Thanks for all your help you guys!

 

[sofiemuffins]

I had the same problem with one of my pigs. Three out of four of my pigs dove right into the Cavy Cuisine, but one didn't touch it at all for a few days, and he's the one that usually will eat anything! Eventually he warmed up to the new food...and trust me he eats it like it's going out of style now. It just takes some time. Good luck!

 

[GuineasGalore]

if you switch the food gradually it might work better, everyday just add one teaspoon of the new food and remove one teaspoon of the old food. BUT i'm not quite sure if this will work on your piggy, but you can give it a try.

 

[TinaFabulous]

Yup, I found it odd too, Furby usually will eat anything you put in front of her... The teaspon thing will probably help, thanks

 

[mncavylover]

I had to add it to their old food in fractions. First there was 1/4 cavy cuisine, then 1/2, then 3/4, then finally all of it was the new food. It takes time for them to adjust. Good luck!