New Piggie Doesn't Eat Fresh Food

Gayles Piggies

Gayles Piggies

New Born Pup
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I recently (about 2 months ago) adopted two brothers raised together since birth. They are 2.5 years and had lived with one other family. In the first two years, they received pellets and pressed hay. Since coming home to me, the pellets have slowly decreased and they always have fresh hay. Both have lost weight slowly. The biggest - Chili - was 1330 grams when he came home. BIG Boy! He's down to 1250 and dropping slowly.

They also never received fresh food. Chili will eat anything :) BUT Pistachio (his brother) won't touch raw food. He'll eat vitamin C treats, pellets, and hay - but he sits on lettuce and runs over the top of anything else. I've tried multiple different types of food in small amounts - apples, kale, romaine lettuce, fennel, and carrots. Chili eats everything and Pistachio eats none of it.

Is there anything I can to do entice him, aside from consistently offering it? I thought consistency would work - but after two months, I'm getting doubtful. I put in only what is good for Chili to eat and separate it on two sides of the kennel (C&C 2x4) since I don't want to overfeed him and he eats all of it. But since it's separated, it gives Pistachio time to at least taste it.

If you have any suggestions - they are truly welcome.
 
I think all you can do is keeping trying different things and keep weighing them both weekly to monitor their weight. I'm not a expert at all but I guess the concern would be the vitamin c he needs. Coriander? Peppers? Celery? 🤔
 
If they were previously used to having unlimited amounts of pellets, then the weight loss might be because of that. They are likely losing the unhealthy fat.
I would keep an eye on their weight, make sure they are eating plenty of hay as that is the important bit. The weight loss, if it is due to the reduction in pellets, should stop and they stabilise at their new normal.
Make sure pellets are just one tablespoon per pig per day.
If the weight loss continues then

Regarding veg, you can’t make him eat what he simply isn’t used to - he didn’t learn to eat it as a baby so he may simply be less willing than chilli to try. All you can do is keep trying
 
I've never had a healthy piggy refuse to eat cucumber or grass, so it might be worth giving them a try. :)
As above, please keep an eye on their weights- you don't want them to keep losing weight as that could be a sign of something more sinister.
We'd love to see some pictures of your new boys! 🥰
It's definitely giving small amounts of very tasty herbs a try too- basil and coriander were always big hits with my boys. They weren't massive fans of celery or courgette, but your boys might like them.
This guide is really helpful too: Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
 
Guinea pigs learn what is good to eat as babies. If Chili and Pistachio didn’t learn that then it may take time for them to learn what is nice.
Perhaps shredded veggies may help as a small strip of lettuce or cucumber may seem less threatening.
Some fresh cut grass ( cut with a pair of scissors) may also be tempting.
Give them time and space to discover veggies.
As well as grass mine have always loved romaine lettuce, cucumber and coriander.

It sounds as if your boys have landed on their paws finding a home with you.
 
Thank you all! I love the suggestions to help Pistachio get introduced to veggies.

They are losing weight since I've cut back on their pellets (that's all they had been getting for the most part) and they have unlimited hay - slow but sure. I'm weighing them every week. They are happy and popcorning nearly every night - so cute!
 
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