Baby pig is so skinny, and doesn't seem to be growing!

[alicia]

We have 2 female guinea pigs. Hazel, who we bought at Christmas as a baby, and Cappuccino, who we bought as a baby about a month ago. Hazel is super healthy, but cappuccino seems to have only gotten thinner and hasn't grown all that much from what I can see. She eats her hay, pellets, and greens like Kale, lettuce, parsley...but still seems to be so thin! Does anyone know what could be causing this?

[Bean]

Try keeping a record of her weight - it might be that she is putting on weight, just slower than her friend so it stands out. Different pigs can have quite different builds - I have two brothers and on the same diet, one of them is a chunk while the other is slim. Some pigs are essentially runts who never get as big as the others.

If she really isn't gaining weight despite eating well - or is losing weight - a trip to the vet would be wise.

This is a good page on diet. Kale and parsley are quite high in calcium which can contribute to bladder stones forming, so most people just feed small amounts of these. There's lots of stuff that can cause problems in larger amounts, but sticking to feeding a small amount of a variety of veg usually gets round this without you needing to count stuff out too much!

Welcome to Wheekers by the way!

[jolovespiggies]

Aww, I hope the dear little chap plumps up soon love.

Hugs
Jo xx

[margaret6]

Yes, I would agree with Bean. One of my piggies is Definately thinner than the others but is well and her weight is stable. Worth weighing regularly though. Hope she is well x

[3piggles]

Hello and welcome to Wheekers Two little girls. So nice I totally second everything Bean said, and will only add that weighing them at about the same time each time is best, as they tend to eat and drink in routines, and you will always catch them at the same point in their routine. Eating or eliminating waist can account for as much as 30g of weight, which is why you want to weight regularly, and average out the weight. Ups and downs are expected. A continual loss of weight is a concern.

Their diet should be 80% hay, not alfalfa, 20% hay pellets, and fruits and veggies should be given as snacks or treats. I use a digital kitchen scale to weight the pigs, as I can put a bowl on it and keep them from climbing out. Not too expensive, and available at most kitchen gadget stores. Good luck

[jolovespiggies]

Welcome to wheekers love. I have just taken in a little piggy who is thin so I really hope Cappuccino gets a little plumper soon too. Please let us know how she gets on.

Hugs
JO xx