My piggie is very fat :o(

[Treacle]

Hi there, i have to pigs, both sisters, they eat the same, live together and do the same exercise I even try to give them same cuddle-time so they don't get jealous lol . Anyway, Toffee is much bigger than Treacle, she has a big belly and is not as agile as her sister. Why can this be? and is there a remedy?

I give them hay pellets in the morning and some veggies at night (I did change from mixed food because i read here taht it wasn't goo as it was too fattening). But she still is fat!

Thanks.

 

[Maisiepaisie]

How long is it since you switched from mixed food? It took some of my pigs a few months to get down to a normal weight after switching. What weight is Toffee?

 

[pigsmakemesmile]

Hello,
I understand your concern, there are many variable that can contribute to weight gain. Quality of food, age, gender, exercise, underlying medical issues are some factors involved. I adopted 2 brothers from a rescue one year ago. At that time they were both weighed tipping the scale just over 4lbs each. However while at that weight, they looked very healthy, coats very shiney and were "bright" while in their pen...and I took them. It will be one year at the end of August since they were adopted and today, they still weigh the same and behave the same as when I adopted them. All 6 of my boys eat the same food, are given the same quantity at the same time of the day. Eat the same hay. All my boys vary in weight. Ben is 2.5 lbs, Paddington 2 lbs. Pops and Jer each 2.5 lbs. They are pretty "meaty" for being little pigs. Jerry is a "petite" little fella. Although his daddy was huge, he has a small little frame but is "meaty."
No skin and bones on this one hehe.
Anyhow, being they're sister,genetics may be another factor why one is larger than the other. You may want to consider that maybe the other isn't eating as much. If unsure and concerned about their weight, consider a check up at the vet. Can't say what the remedy is without knowing the cause.
Good luck

 

[PixieStix]

That may just be a healthy weight for her. Switching from the mixed food may help, what brand are they on now? How much do you feed?

Pellets are the least part of a cavies diet, they only need around a quarter cup max daily. If your pigs are over six months and on alfalfa pellets, they should only be getting an eigth cup each as alfalfa is high in calcium.

Don't try dieting your pig. Pigs need to be constantly grazing and have food moving through their system, or else can become anorexic. Just keep her on a healthy diet (mostly good grass hay, at least a cup of mixed veggies each consisting mainly of leafy greens daily, and a small ammount of pellets) and offer her plenty of floor time.

How much do your pigs weigh? Do you have a kitchen scale to regularly weight them? Guinea Lynx :: Weigh Weekly!

 

[Treacle]

Treacle weighs 800grs thats 1lb12 and Tofee weighs 900, thats 2lb. And checking the link you sent me I can see that that is a healthy weight! Is just that Toffe has a big belly and she looks clumsier whe walking and doesn't popcorn, as Treacle is always jumping and running around! May be that is how she keeps fit and Toffee is a bit lazy just like her mum :silly:
They are 2 years old.

 

[pigsforlife]

They are actually quite small for their age. Buttercup, Rosie and Toffee, who are all (except for Rosie) over a year old weigh over 1000g. Lily sits at about 950-980g and is over a year old. Even Ella who is only 4 1/2 months old weighs just over 700g (100g less then your smallest piggie, but then your pig is alot older).

 

[HowietheGreat]

I would take her to the vet. Too many pellets may be the cause. A over weight pig can develope health problems, so it is something you want to keep your eye on.