Some Baby Food Safe For Piggies ?

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Pigpi

Pigpi

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Hi,
One of my guinea pigs is much lighter than the other and I have thought about syringe feeding him extras for a while. However we don't own a blender and I wasn't sure what to give him when my friend suggested Ella's kitchen baby food carrot and broccoli flavour. I'm think it's called Ella's kitchen but don't hold me to it, also can guinea pigs be fed oats at all? Please comment if you use anything it would be a great help!
Thanks
Pip
 
You can soak your usual nuggets in warm water until they go mushy. Personally, I would only syringe-feed a poorly piggy that was unable to eat for themselves. I would rather tempt them to eat more on their own.

How much does he weigh, and how old is he? Is it possible that the other piggy is stealing his food? Does your boy seem to have a good appetite?
 
I only tend to use proper syringe feeding food like critical care and occasionally softened nuggets. You could put the softened nuggets in a little bowl and tempt him to eat them for himself?
 
I don't have any specific nutritional advice, but please don't beat yourself up too much about your little feather-weight.

I have two six month olds, a boar and sow. Walter is a good 300g heavier than Hildy. They both have a good diet of unlimited hay, a big cup of veg each and a small handful of nuggets a day. Plenty of fresh water. Exercise and stimulation. I weigh regularly and baby girl isn't shedding weight, just slow to gain. She is a healthy pig with a beautiful glossy coat - I think she is just petite. Hope this helps somewhat, but as I said above, this is just one perspective and I am sure the members with more experience of health and nutrition can help with clearer advice :-)
 
Thanks so much he weighs about 600 grams and he's a Peruvian nearly 2 year old Piggy. However his brother weighs over 900 grams. The problem is Toby is such a slow eater that Alfie has gobbled down everything before he even finishes his mouthful and them he with steal Toby's food. The two are so close that is really hard to separate them as I put on my other post, they just wheek for each other and get distressed if they aren't together.
 
I think you may need to take him out to give extra food or maybe try scattering the food around the hutch. That is a low weight for a 2 year old boar, has he been checked by a vet?
 
Yes they both have been vet checked recently and he didnt seem too concerned, how heavy should an average two year old boar weigh ? I am feeding them a mixture of excel, selective pellets and musli alongside fresh veg and they love it. I'm trying to spoon feed him extras while he's in the hutch but sooner or later Alfie comes along and helps himself :)
 
My Tim is about 2.5 to 3 and he is about 1100g, Barney is slightly older and is 950g though has health issues, and Barley is about 1 and is about 1200g. Do they have much hay?
 
Could anyone hold Alfie for you while you give extras to your diddy one?
 
When I was concerned with Pecan not getting enough food when I locked them up for the night. I put in an extra bowl for her mainly because she was so lazy she didn't want to come out for greens. So now there are greens in the main pen and bed area (She's now more mobile and actually comes out with the others!). She slowly started putting weight on now and has been even after losing a little due to some what I think was pretty hardcore vet treatment.
What I did notice was once I put that extra bowl in Patch went from the low 700s to the high 900s! She's only a small little thing but was so proud of her! She's my precious runt and always a worry with her.
I aim to get Maple & Pecan to a nice 900 or 1000 mark the other are pretty well okay.

Plus I always make sure all five piggies get plenty of food and watch until they have all come out.

I've read on here oats are good for the more elderly piggie to help maintain their weight
 
Perhaps feeding your two boys apart will be much more helpful than trying to feed up your little one!

Also feed any pellets several times a day in smaller portions and different bowls that are at least a body length apart; this ensures that your youngster has more of a chance to eat. You could also try to up the amount of veg somewhat and add some sweetcorn twice a week. Make sure that they have unlimited hay and that you have two hay trays or hay racks so your little one has access to his own at all times.
Here is our list of veg and what amounts to feed: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...veg-and-fruit-list-with-vitamin-c-grading.42/

900g is at the lower end of the spectrum for an adult pet piggy boar, but it is a perfectly normal adult weight, so don't worry! ;)
 
We have just weighed Mrs Fuzzy our part peruvian sow and she is one of the smallest of our pigs and she is 999g tonight, but she has a heart condition. So she is nearer in weight to the larger of your 2 boars. Your smaller one at 600g is therefore very small. If feeding the extra food does not increase his weight, you may need to see if your parents are happy for you to get him checked again. We have a recommended vets locator at the top of the forum.
 
My 2 boars are about 2 & 3 & both weigh about 1.3 Kg. You could give him small feeding sessions by himself before putting him back with the others at feeding time. I did this with Minky when she was poorly. I had her on the floor on a puppy pad with extra veggies while I had break fast & tea. Then did the meals for the rest & put her back. Other things you could add to the diet are sweet corn & porridge oats straight from the packet.
 
I weighed Toby probably this morning and his weight is 728g as the other weighing was old. He is putting on weight just slower than Alfie. Thank you for all your advice I am going to try everything then if he isn't a sufficient weight I will take him to the vets in a few weeks time.
Thank you again
Pip
 
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