Warning: Undefined variable $href_target in /usr/home/drmarie/public_html/askavetquestion.com/phpGiggle/phpgiggle-config.inc.php on line 44 Diet recommendations for overweight guinea pig. | Ask A Vet
Species: Other Breed: White Crested/Americ Age: 1-2 years
Hi Dr. Marie:
Recently I took my sow guinea pig Squeaky to have her nails trimmed. The vet tech said that Squeaky was overweight at 2.66 lbs.
Is there a "best practice" you'd recommend, so I can help Squeaky go back to 2 lbs?
Thanks!
Warning: Undefined variable $related_questions in /usr/home/drmarie/public_html/askavetquestion.com/related1.php on line 75
Deprecated: strlen(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /usr/home/drmarie/public_html/askavetquestion.com/related1.php on line 75
Warning: Undefined variable $related_articles in /usr/home/drmarie/public_html/askavetquestion.com/related1.php on line 75
Deprecated: strlen(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /usr/home/drmarie/public_html/askavetquestion.com/related1.php on line 75
Dr. Marie replied:
I can't say that I have ever put a guinea pig on a weight loss plan. But, just like any other animal, being overweight is a health risk.
The first thing I would do is try to measure how much guinea pig pellet food she is getting in a day. If you don't give her a specific amount but let her free feed then measure out how much you give her for a few days and then how much is left at the end of the day. Do this for several days so that you can get an idea of what she is getting now. Then, you can cut this down by 10-20% and see how things go.
I would also recommend buying an accurate kitchen scale so that you can weigh her every couple of weeks. The best way to do this is to get a bowl that she will fit in and tare the weight of the bowl and then put her in it.
Obviously, you need to keep an eye on her treats. High sugar fruits or veggies should be cut out or greatly reduced.
If she is not getting guinea pig hay then this is highly recommended as well. Many guinea pigs thrive on a diet that is primarily hay and just a little bit of guinea pig food. However, you do need to make sure that you are giving vitamin C supplements if she is not getting her full ration of guinea pig food.
Hope she slims down soon!
Dr. Marie.
Warning: Undefined variable $displayed in /usr/home/drmarie/public_html/askavetquestion.com/answer_np.php on line 253
Do you have a pet website? Interested in learning more about SEO for Wix?
Disclaimer: Although Dr. Marie is a qualified veterinarian, the information found on this site is not meant to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. AskAVetQuestion.com and Dr. Marie do not accept any responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, death, or disease which may arise from reliance on information contained on this site. Do not use information found on this site for diagnosing or treating your pet. Anything you read here is for information only.
Search for similar questions:
Popular questions...
Incontinent kitten. Hi there!
I have a kitten who was found in a drain at about 3 weeks. The vets at... (15021 views)
Bleeding from mouth. Hi Dr. Marie,
What would cause recurrent tongue and gum ulcers in cats? Chuger is... (47002 views)
Constipated dog. We have a large, 45kg, dog, mixed breed.He's five and a half years old. He is... (11875 views)
Blood tinged urine. Dr. Marie,
My cat does not pee in her litterbox. Instead she will pee right... (15069 views)
Mast Cell tumor? This past Saturday afternoon I was petting my dog and I noticed a small bump under... (29591 views)
Allergic reaction to vaccines. He just got all his shots this morning and has been vomiting since and his face is... (16074 views)
Bladder cancer. Our almost 10 year old kitty has had three recurrent bouts of uti or cystitis in the... (9249 views)
Do dogs have panic attacks? In the past two weeks, Bambi has a kind of panic attack to me. She was panting and... (9799 views)
Zodiac safe? Is Zodiac Spot Treatment safe to use on my small dog and... (13021 views)
Seizure or heart problem? My sister is younger and home alone until tomorrow. She called me freaking out about... (18248 views)
Veterinarian, Dr. Marie created this site to be able to provide quick, accurate veterinary advice online. She would love to help with your pet's problem!
Dr. Marie is a veterinarian who practices in a busy animal hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. She created Ask A Vet Question as a resource for good, accurate veterinary advice online. Dr. Marie treats dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. She has been a vet since 1999.
Is an online vet visit just as good as a trip to your veterinarian? No! But, many times, asking an online veterinarian a question can help save you money. While Dr. Marie can't officially diagnose your pet or prescribe medications, she can often advise you on whether a vet visit is necessary. You can also ask Dr. Marie for a second opinion on your pet's condition.