My guinea pig's too fat how should I put it on a diet ?
Guinea Pig / Cavy FAQ #1Why do you think it is too fat ? Pigs vary in size and are supposed to be a nice chunky handful - they can be anywhere between 2lb and even over 3.
Related QuestionsWill I be a 'guinea pig'?
FAQ's - NCCC National Cervical Cancer CoalitionThere's no denying that the ultimate purpose of a clinical trial is to answer a medical question. People who take part in clinical trials may need to do certain things or have certain tests done to stay in the study. But this does not mean that you will not receive excellent, compassionate care while in the study. In fact, most people enrolled in clinical trials appreciate the extra attention they receive from their health care team.
Related QuestionsWhy should I feed my rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, or rodent a diet of mostly hay?
Hay and Feed for Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Prairie Dogs, Chinchi...Hay should make up the bulk of your rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, or rodents diet. The benefits of feeding unlimited hay (all your pet can eat) are many and recommended by veterinarians. They are: Timothy Gold, Timothy High Fiber, and Mountain Grass Hay help reduce calcium and calories in the diet, helping to keep the pet's weight stable and reducing urinary sludge, (urinary track problems)
Related QuestionsShould I get one guinea pig or two?
Kathys Kritters Frequently Asked QuestionsGuinea pigs are very social and enjoy living together. So if you can get at least two to keep each other company, that is best. If you can only have one, though, don’t despair, because you will be its friend. However, if you do have more than one, keep in mind that you must have a large enough cage for both. I have even heard that when one guinea pig dies, the remaining one can have difficulty adjusting, sometimes refusing to eat. That’s how closely bonded they can become.
Related QuestionsI think I am allergic to my guinea pig - what can I do ?
Guinea Pig / Cavy FAQ #1It is possible to have allergies to either the guinea pig itself or items such as hay or other bedding and associated dust. The best advice I can give on this subject is to get all members of the family to handle some guinea pigs and the bedding options you may use prior to obtaining your new pet - to see if anyone has signs of an allergy - rashes, breathing difficulties, sniffles etc.
Related QuestionsDo I need to get my guinea pig vaccinated against anything ?
Guinea Pig / Cavy FAQ #1No, piggies don't need any vaccinations. However, you may want to get any new pig's that come to live with you treated with some Ivermectin by your vet, in case they are harbouring mites / parasites which live in and under the skin and cause them no end of irritation. Might be a precaution well worth taking.
Related QuestionsHow can I tell what sex my guinea pig is ?
Guinea Pig / Cavy FAQ #1If you are in any doubt about the health of your guinea pig please consult a vet without delay - by the time it is showing symptoms it has probably been ill for a little while - please remember - the answers given are just my personal opinion.
Related QuestionsWhat is the best age for breeding my guinea pig ?
Guinea Pig / Cavy FAQ #1If you really must breed your piggy, rather than provide a home for an existing 'home-seeking' piggy, then the best age for breeding your guinea pig for the first time is approx 5 months. NEVER breed a female guinea pig that is over the age of 12 months (unless she has previously had pups) as her pelvic bones will have fused and she will most likely lose her own and her pups life. Click here for more info and useful links.
Related QuestionsCan my Guinea Pig / Cavy 'pass wind' ?
Guinea Pig / Cavy FAQ #1Yes ! Pigs can, and do pass wind - mainly caused by eating things like cabbage and brocolli ! A little amount of gas is relatively normal (as it is in humans!) and shouldn't be anything to worry about ! However, if your pig looks very bloated and swollen take her to the vets to get checked out - this is not normal.
Related QuestionsWe are having a heatwave - what can I do to keep my guinea pig from overheating ?
Guinea Pig / Cavy FAQ #1Things you can try are freezing a plastic drinks bottle (almost full of water) then wrap it in a towel and place in your pigs cage - if they feel too hot they can lay next to it and cool down. Make sure you keep their fluids up by providing plenty of fresh foods (fruit/veg) - keep an eye on their droppings if you are providing more than usual ! Make sure you have your air-conditioning on (if you have it) and if you have a portable fan, turn that on (but make sure your pigs are not in a draught).
Related QuestionsQUESTION: 2 What should I feed my guinea pig?
New Zealand Cavy Club - Frequently asked questionsA guinea pig's main diet should consist of dried meadow hay supplemented by pellets or crushed oats and fresh vegetables. If meadow hay is not feasible, a legume hay such as clover may be substituted. Whichever hay you use should be available at all times. Use ONLY the plain kind of guinea pig/rabbit pellets or oats (without nuts and dried fruits, which are high in fat and not good for your guinea pig).
Related QuestionsQUESTION: 8. My guinea pig has <...> symptoms. Is this serious?
New Zealand Cavy Club - Frequently asked questionsFirst of all, if there's any doubt about the nature of the disease, take your guinea pig to a veterinarian right away! Sometimes a simple medical procedure can clear up a problem that would otherwise be fatal. That said, here are some common symptoms with what illnesses they may indicate. with sneezing, some scratching is completely normal. Guinea pigs spend most of their time grooming themselves.
Related QuestionsQUESTION: 10. My guinea pig runs away from me. What can I do?
New Zealand Cavy Club - Frequently asked questionsIt's normal for a guinea pig to be afraid of you at first, and some guinea pigs, depending on personality, are always a little shy. However, with patience and love, you can almost always make good friends with a guinea pig. The younger they are when you start, the easier it will be to gain their trust.The thing to remember is that you are very large and frightening to a guinea pig.
Related QuestionsI am nervous about being a guinea pig. Are these tests experimental?
Roswell Park Cancer Institute - LIFE FAQ - Comprehensive Can...Spiral CAT scan has been used for several years and is non-experimental. In 1998, the FDA approved LIFE bronchoscopy for detection of early lung cancer. Both tests have been used at Roswell Park Cancer Institute for years.
Related QuestionsAre there free studies ? Can I be a guinea pig ?
Cosmetic Surgery IndiaThe best place to start would be at laser research centers. University physicians are often in the forefront of testing new technology and laser applications, as well as training new physicians and medical personnel. Another place to check would be private practices; sometimes these physicians may be involved with testing new lasers or conducting clinical studies. Laser companies may also be able to tell you where their own lasers might be involved in clinical studies.
Related QuestionsWill my Guinea Pig be friendly?
ServicesI hold all of my pigs almost everyday so that they will be comfortable with humans. If you never hold them, they will
Related QuestionsHow do I determine my pig's age / when is my guinea pig fully grown ?
Guinea Pig / Cavy FAQ #1I personally know of no way to determine exactly how old a guinea pig - ie by checking the teeth like you would a horse etc ! The only guidelines I can give are as follows: quot;The guinea pig increases in weight and length until about 15 months - after which, weight changes are secondary to loss or gain in stored body fat. The length, measured from nose tip to last vertebra, for mature males is 30-35cm and for mature females 28-32cm.
Related QuestionsWhat is the role of fat in the diet?
FDA/CFSAN - Questions and Answers about Trans Fat Nutrition ...Fat is a major source of energy for the body and aids in the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K, and carotenoids. Both animal and plant-derived food products contain fat, and when eaten in moderation, fat is important for proper growth, development, and maintenance of good health. As a food ingredient, fat provides taste, consistency, and stability and helps us feel full.
Related QuestionsShould trans fat be eliminated from the diet?
FDA/CFSAN - Questions and Answers about Trans Fat Nutrition ...No. According to experts, eliminating trans fat completely from the diet would require such extraordinary dietary changes (e.g., elimination of foods, such as dairy products and meats that contain trans fatty acids) that eliminating trans fat could cause an inadequate intake of some nutrients and create health risks.
Related QuestionsCan I cut all the fat out of my diet?
Boston University Campus Dining ServicesFat should not be cut from your diet entirely. Your diet should consist of no more than 30 % fat. Fat has twice the calories of both protein and carbohydrates, therefore, it is a great source of energy. There are also essential fatty acids that you must eat because your body can not create them. Fat is necessary for healthy skin and cells and protection of organs, and when used in cooking it allows for satiety in meals.
Related QuestionsWhat should I feed my guinea pig?
Kathys Kritters Frequently Asked QuestionsGuinea pigs should eat Timothy Hay (50% of its diet), guinea pig pellets (25%), and fresh produce (25%). There is a misconception that alfalfa hay is good for guinea pigs. Alfalfa hay is only good for YOUNG guinea pigs. After the first six months, a grass-based hay such as Timothy hay should be used. A wonderful source of tasty, fresh green hay is Oxbow Hay Company. I have also been able to find it at a local PetSaver store.
Related QuestionsWhat else do I need for my guinea pig?
Kathys Kritters Frequently Asked QuestionsYour guinea pig will need a water bottle, food dish, and a place to hide or sleep. Some guinea pigs enjoy chewing on toilet paper or paper towel tubes. Our guinea pigs love hide under, chew on, and run through corrugated cardboard boxes that we make into houses/tunnels, by turning them upside down and cutting out door holes.
Related QuestionsHow could i get my guinea pig used to me and tame?
Kathys Kritters Frequently Asked QuestionsTo get a new pet piggy used to you, you should be very patient yet still interact with him (or her) every day. He will be very scared at first, so let him get used to his new surroundings for the first day or two. Make sure he has a good, safe hiding spot. Allow him to eat his food in their and keep his food and water nearby, so he doesn’t sit in the hiding spot and starve himself out of fear.
Related QuestionsWhat can you train a guinea pig to do?
Kathys Kritters Frequently Asked QuestionsGuinea pigs don’t do a lot of tricks like dogs, but you can get them to do some fun things. Like they will start to squeal for treats when they hear the sounds that are usually made for treats, such as crinkling a bag or opening the refrigerator or opening the door to go outside and get them grass. So you can take advantage of this and get them to squeak for a certain sound if you make that sound every time you give them food.
Related QuestionsWhat is the lifespan of a guinea pig?
Kathys Kritters Frequently Asked QuestionsApproximately five years, but as long as 8 to 10 years. If you decide to have a pet guinea pig, be sure that you can commit to taking care of it for that length of time.
Related QuestionsHow can I tell if my guinea pig is pregnant?
Kathys Kritters Frequently Asked QuestionsShort answer: it’s not easy to tell. The long answer is excerpted from the best guinea pig guidebook I know, The Proper Care of Guinea Pigs by Peter Gurney: There is usually a telltale sign that a successful mating has taken place. You will find what appears to be a small plug of candle wax lying on the floor of the mated pair's quarters. This is produced by the boar only after he has successfully ejaculated in the sow and is meant to seal in his sperm.” p.
Related QuestionsWhat should I do if my guinea pig is pregnant?
Kathys Kritters Frequently Asked QuestionsI will answer this with more information from the wonderful book, The Proper Care of Guinea Pigs by Peter Gurney: Remove the boar as soon as you are sure that the sow is pregnant. This will not only avoid upsetting her with any changes closer to her time but will also be a precaution against another pregnancy and risking her babies! A boar will never intentionally harm his young.
Related QuestionsHow many babies does a guinea pig have?
Kathys Kritters Frequently Asked QuestionsFor her first litter, a sow (female) usually has about 2 or 3. Subsequent litters can produce as many as 6 or 8.
Related QuestionsCan my child keep her guinea pig in her bedroom ?
Guinea Pig / Cavy FAQ #2This is really a matter only you and your child can decide.
Related QuestionsMy guinea pig is just about to have a litter - how soon can I breed from her again - straight away ?
Guinea Pig / Cavy FAQ #1First of all I'd like to ask why on earth you would want to breed from her immediately ? Please think very carefully before breeding your pigs at all - any breeding carries risks for the mother and the resulting babies - and breeding straight away would put a terrible strain on the mother - as she recovers from the stress of giving birth to the first litter ! Perhaps you can offer a home to a needy/homeless pig from a rescue organisation instead ? If you really are intent on breeding your pig ag.
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