I don't know how many people here have switched to a pellet-free diet? (Technically they do still get a bit of pellets--they are just not freely given and not all the time.)
I am wondering how much weight loss, if any, that you have noted?
I switched for dental reasons which has been pretty successful so far for the pig I had concerns about. The others don't have a history of dental issues.
All of the pigs eat lots of KM hay and get veggies daily, but a couple have lost about 2-3 ounces in total.
I was wondering what others experiences might be like?
Thanks!
Weight loss after changing to a pellet-free diet
The boar that concerns me is now 2 pounds, 1 ounce. He used to weigh a considerable amount more. When I first had him, he was up to 2 pounds, 13 ounces per vet records and they listed him as obese! He was my first pig and hadn't been well-cared for prior so I think he ate tons of pellets and I know he was in a tiny cage. After having him some time his weight was closer to 2 pounds, 8 ounces.
He had surgery this year for a benign tumor and had a really hard recovery. He lost weight and stayed around 2 pounds, 4 ounces. So now he has ended up losing a total of 3 more ounces since the change in diet. He is very healthy and active in all other ways-he is fully recovered and his old self.
He is an older pig, at least 4 years old and I have had him for 3.
He had surgery this year for a benign tumor and had a really hard recovery. He lost weight and stayed around 2 pounds, 4 ounces. So now he has ended up losing a total of 3 more ounces since the change in diet. He is very healthy and active in all other ways-he is fully recovered and his old self.
He is an older pig, at least 4 years old and I have had him for 3.
Cavyravy, this isn't intended for any diet reasons--only to promote dental health!
Alfalfa? Wouldn't that be too much calcium for an older pig?
Erin-pellet-free diets force higher hay consumption. They really do eats lots more hay since their pellets have been taken out of the cage. Dr. Legendre suggested this to us a long time ago for our piggie who already passed away, and now that another has some questionable teeth problems we have implented this diet.
Alfalfa? Wouldn't that be too much calcium for an older pig?
Erin-pellet-free diets force higher hay consumption. They really do eats lots more hay since their pellets have been taken out of the cage. Dr. Legendre suggested this to us a long time ago for our piggie who already passed away, and now that another has some questionable teeth problems we have implented this diet.
Last edited by christina on Thu May 13, 2004 11:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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kleenmama
- I GAVE, dammit!
My understanding is that a small amount of weightloss is normal when going off pellets. Pellets are rather like pigs' "junkfood" in that they get quite a few empty calories.
I wouldn't let him loose too much more before you decide to perhaps add extra pellets in for him.
Which guinea pig is this?
I wouldn't let him loose too much more before you decide to perhaps add extra pellets in for him.
Which guinea pig is this?
This is my old Fuzzybear. He had some pellets today, and I have been thinking I should give him more--maybe during play time. He does love them and eats a ton!
Hobie's teeth appear to be doing well since the change, and his weight is stable.
Salana--he wasn't gaining weight when he still had the pellets. It's like his weight just hit a standstill. I think he could regain if given pellets now, though.
Hobie's teeth appear to be doing well since the change, and his weight is stable.
Salana--he wasn't gaining weight when he still had the pellets. It's like his weight just hit a standstill. I think he could regain if given pellets now, though.
Last edited by christina on Thu May 13, 2004 11:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Moe is a little under 3 pounds. I say it's all hair and muscle. He's got a bit of a buddha belly when he's flipped over though. I wouldn't consider putting him on a diet, because I think he's fine, very active too.
Edit: Totally delayed response to cavyravy.
Edit: Totally delayed response to cavyravy.
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kleenmama
- I GAVE, dammit!
I'd go ahead and give Fuzzybear a few more treat pellets when you have him out. It's a catch-22, because if they are lighter they don't have the reserves to fight an aillness or infection, but if they have teeth issues, that in itself can kill them.
Tough call. I always feel I have some breathing room if the pig isn't "too light to fight and too thin to win".
Tough call. I always feel I have some breathing room if the pig isn't "too light to fight and too thin to win".
Yeah, I think it might be best to add pellets back in for Fuzzybear--perhaps permanently. I'm not really comfortable with thin pigs when I think about how many different problems can come up and not have any extra fat on them. That is a really important point.
Well, at least he doesn't live with the teeth pig Hobie--Hobie will be really upset if Fuzzybear starts bragging about the pellets he's not getting!
A pellet-free diet just contains what you would normally give minus the pellets! Veggies/limited fruit and lots of hay! Dr. Legendre recommends it because hay and grasses wear the teeth better than anything else. When they fill up on pellets and veggies they can eat less hay and not be getting the best dental workout.
Well, at least he doesn't live with the teeth pig Hobie--Hobie will be really upset if Fuzzybear starts bragging about the pellets he's not getting!
A pellet-free diet just contains what you would normally give minus the pellets! Veggies/limited fruit and lots of hay! Dr. Legendre recommends it because hay and grasses wear the teeth better than anything else. When they fill up on pellets and veggies they can eat less hay and not be getting the best dental workout.