Diet advice for overweight piggy

[MargeryBaxter]

I have 2 3 year old boars who I have had for approx 2.5 years. They were rescued as a bonded pair but are almost definitely not related.

One is lively and slender the other has always been more sedentary and loves his food . The bigger pig has suddenly started to gain even more weight and I am concerned that it is just increasing.

They spent the summer out on grass every day but are now back indoors for the winter. They have always had as much hay and pellets as they want. With regular fruit and veg on the side. I am going to cut out the carrots and some of the fruity treats to see if that helps?

Does anyone have any advice for how I can restrict the big pigs diet without the smaller pig loosing out - or them arguing over the foods?

They do have ‘upstairs’ in their cage which is only used by the smaller piggy so I can put some extras up there?

Also is there a particular brand of pellets which would be less calorific? (Currently have burgess with mint). And is it better to feed ‘meals’ rather than having the pellets always available?

It would be lovely to hear from anyone who has successfully slimmed down a bigger pig (without causing friction or problems to a smaller cage mate) thank you!

 

[Piggies&buns]

First, check his heft. This is what tells you whether he is actually overweight, not the number on the scales.

Pellets should never be constantly available - hay is the only food which should be constantly available.
Pellets are the least important part of the diet and in fact are the one thing they don’t need at all.
Pellets should be strictly limited to one tablespoon per pig per day. Too many pellets not only lead to unhealthy weight gain but also bladder health issues associated with too much calcium (pellets contain more calcium than anything else) such as bladder stone formation.

From now, cut the pellets right down to one tablespoon per pig per day only. Once they’re done for the day, they’re they’re gone.
For the piggy who is potentially overweight you might like to cut it down even further than that depending on what you find regarding his heft and in conjunction with a discussion with your vet.
He will drop weight quickly if he is not given access to loads of pellets. You need to make sure he increases his hay intake.

I actually only feed pellets 2-3 times a week and give less than a tablespoon each time. They just never have them.

Cut all fruit and carrots out entirely. They aren’t things which should be in the diet at all. If they are then it is one tiny piece of one of them and one a week only. Fruit and carrots should never be a regular feature.
Mine get a piece of fruit as a treat in summer and a carrot peeling when I’m doing the Christmas dinner - so literally twice a year!

Encourage exercise - this isn’t easy. A piggy who won’t move, won’t move!
How big is their cage?
Do they get floor or play pen time?

Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
Weight - Monitoring and Management

 

[MargeryBaxter]

Thank you. That is really good to know. But please can you tell me what is meant by heft? And how I check it

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you. That is really good to know. But please can you tell me what is meant by heft? And how I check it

Please read the two green links I added in my reply.
The weight management guide explains heft and how to check it.

 

[MargeryBaxter]

Thank you! Oh dear - he is definitely overweight then bordering on obese he is currently is in a 160x60 cage in his summer quarters but will be moving in to a c&c 4x2 with loft this week. They also have an indoor playpen which is twice this size. I am thinking of marking it into a track system to encourage him to move a bit more

 

[Piggies&buns]

The issue with lofts is that the ramp can cause issues. Piggies are not natural climbers and need a single level cage. If he is overweight he may not even use the ramp.
For two boars, if at all possible, you would do better to give them the recommended cage size of a 5x2 and not have a loft.