Weight worry

[Rachy1412]

My family constantly tell me that my piggies are overweight and that I am killing them with kindness! I feed them all the recommended 1cup of vegi a day per pig. Even though they obviously don't know much about cavies I can't help but worry. I know that pig's weight and size varies hugely! So how can you actually tell if one is overweight? Here are their weights and ages:

Females:

Biscuit- 5years, 2lb 8oz 1133g
Cookie- 1year, 3lb 6oz 1530g
Truffle- 11 months, 2lb 15oz 1332g
Smartie- 7months, 2lb 9oz 1162g
Rolo- 7months 2lb 8oz 1133g
Presley- 7months 2lb 907g

Males:

Elvis- 3years 2lb 7oz 1105g
Spencer- 7months 2lb 9oz 1162g
Brownie- 7months 2lb 8oz 1133g
Flame- 7months 2lb 5oz 1048g

The main thing that I am worried about is the fact that I have 7month old girls and they are heavier than a 3yr male! If they are overweight what would you advise me doing? Cut down on their pellets? They already only get a small amount. They also only have fruit once a week!

Thanks! xx

 

[Ketus15]

One of my males is 2.51lbs, 1138g. Vet said he's very healthy.

If you want to cut back, I think pellets is the way to go. Between 1/8 and 1/3 of a cup each day for each adult is what I've found.

Maybe even look into buying higher quality pellets. Maybe that particular brand is high in fat.

Good Luck!

 

[dagwellismypigy]

I wouldn't worry about it, all pigs are different. They may have bigger bones or more fat.

 

[sasha]

My pig Jane is doubled chinned, and 2 pounds 12 ounces, and just a few days ago I was able to introduce a new baby to her. I think she would starve the baby rather than herself if I cut back the pellets, so I am afraid too. She also eats its veggies, so I began trying to feed it veggies while I gave them separate floor time. She made noises at the baby through the bars when it went near the veggies, and I had to start hiding veggies in the pigloo when Jane wasn't looking. I think a determined pig will find a way to be fat!

 

[Eventrocker33]

I wouldn't worry about it. Like Dagwell said, all pigs are different. My pig is three and only weighs 1.3 lbs, while my old pigs probably weighed around 3 lbs.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

It's recommended to feed adults 1/8 to 1/4 cup pellets per day. I give my 4 girls 2/3 cup each day and if they run out, they get no more until the same time the next day.

 

[sasha]

Would a baby pig be ok without pellets though? I am having trouble balancing the two dietary needs of the 2 year old with the 6 week old. When I put in alfalfa, the older pig eats it too, and she has had some sludge in her urine- its not gritty, and she has no stones, so the vet just wants to lower her calcium, which makes the alfalfa bad. But I've read that young pigs need alfalfa, so I don't want to have the poor baby malnourished because of timothy hay and pellets.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Just give the baby the same pellets as the adult and give the alfalfa during laptime or a separate floor time.

 

[sasha]

Thank you for the idea, I'll have to put it in a dark corner or something, since he still hides as if I'm going to eat him during floor time. He hasn't gone for food thus far, because I put it an open place to lure him out, but maybe if I put it somwhere he likes to hide he'll be ok.