Older Boar lost 63g in one day - Possibly due to Bonding?

[Alamerona]

Hi TGPF - Our recently bereaved Boar, Bluebear (1y 1m), has been doing extremely well with the grievance period, and has been eating well, drinking, and has all-round been perfectly normal in his behaviour.

Yesterday, we welcomed a new, young Boar into our home, Walker - Walker was a local adoption, and is 10 weeks old. The two have been bonding since last night, and things have been going very well from a cursory glance - Walker is accepting his position as the less dominant, and Bluebear has been play chasing, humping, butt sniffing, grooming and rumble strutting - The two actually fell asleep next to one another yesterday, which was surprising (And yes, we've sexed Walker and he is a Boar).

Both are eating normally (Pellets and Hay) and drinking water, both without bullying or interruption. Saying this, though, Bluebear appears to have lost 63g in a single day, going from 1217g to 1154g in 24 hours. During the grievance period, Bluebear put on weight, so the recent decrease is worrying us.

Is this something to be worried about? Or has Bluebear just been too preoccupied with the bonding process to put the weight on?

 

[Bill & Ted]

I would monitor his weight daily and if you see a further decline over a few days then get him vet checked. As you say he might have been very preoccupied yesterday and also very energetic. I would also try to view him eating at meal times just to make extra sure

 

[Claire W]

with the above advise. Weigh him daily for a few days and if he is continuing to lose, I’d have him checked by a vet

 

[Alamerona]

Thanks both for your responses - We have been observing his eating times and he's been eating like normal... Perhaps the hyperactiveness and exercise has caught up with his waistline lol - Will weigh him daily and keep an eye on him then

 

[Bill & Ted]

So lovely Bluebear has found a new friend

 

[Alamerona]

So lovely Bluebear has found a new friend

Same! They're very cute together

 

[Alamerona]

Hi all, just wanted to provide an update - Bluebear's weight is regaining at a steady rate, however he seems to now not be responding to our usual ceremony commands ("Breakfast", "Lunch", "Cookie", "Treat" and "Bedtime"), which is pretty out-of-character for him. Could this be due to Walker being fresh in the household? Stress? Depression? Or maybe something deeper? Usually when we say one of those commands he rushes to the cage side and starts wheeking and getting excited, but now he just sorta... Stays in place? He does still get excited for things like Lunch, but it takes some heavy coercion to make him aware. We've only noticed this change since we've gotten Walker, as he was fine during the grievance process.

 

[Claire W]

So long as his weight is slowly increasing, I wouldn’t worry too much but I would keep an eye on him. It could well be that he just feels more like a ‘guinea pig’ now Walker is in the house