|
|
Post by skardsen on May 30, 2016 16:40:54 GMT
I honestly thought he was just a big degu, but that seems excessive. I can't explain why he's so big either, because he eats the same as his brother, but his brother's not big (couldn't weigh him as he's scared of the scales). The thing is, he doesn't look overweight, and he hasn't slowed down at all. I only feed them a very small amount of Supreme Science Selective, a light sprinkle of degu mix seeds, and mixed herbal forage. He doesn't care much for the seeds, so I don't think it's those. I have no idea how to bring his weight down.
|
|
|
|
Post by uglibug on May 30, 2016 18:08:42 GMT
We are having a similar problem with Mater. In his case it was a lack of exercise that had caused him to put on the weight and he was starting to look rounded. As long as he doesn't look 'porky' I wouldn't worry too much, he may indeed just be a big goo.
|
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on May 30, 2016 19:34:19 GMT
Could you post a photo? Have you checked the scales are reading fairly accurately?
|
|
|
|
Post by skardsen on May 31, 2016 2:26:14 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on May 31, 2016 5:35:00 GMT
What is his length from nose to tail tip in comparison to the length of your other degu?
|
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on May 31, 2016 19:22:44 GMT
He looks pretty chunky to me, but I wouldn't have guessed he was 380g. Have you tried putting a bag of sugar on the scales or something else you know the weight of so you can check the scales?
My Flossie has always been big (until this year anyway), and I think her size has always been linked to being a bit lazy, but if I tried to feed her less, she would just compensate and do even less activity, so it can be difficult to win. Quite often you will find the boss of the group wants to be the biggest too.
You could switch the SSSelective for a grainless one, like the Rosewood Naturals degu quad pellets, or as you say you could eliminate the pellets altogether, but you would need to then add in some vitamin d or get a UV bird lamp.
The only other thing I can think of is treats, could those rice puffs be getting away from you a bit?
|
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on Jun 1, 2016 8:50:50 GMT
Spidergoo is around the 300g mark but is of a comparable shape to the other. When I compare them to Finn, I must admit he looks a little podgy. Does he run around as much as his brother? It's very difficult to confirm if they've eaten the same and are as equally as active, if you're out during the day or asleep at night.
|
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Jun 1, 2016 15:31:53 GMT
Not to be . . . ahem . . . indelicate, but have you ever caught Finn partaking in the "male degu ritual of intimate cleansing?" It is a very glaring confirmation of gender.
|
|
|
|
Post by Emziedee on Jun 2, 2016 2:37:44 GMT
I know how you feel, my boys on a diet at the moment but seems to be putting more weight on!! I think he has a stash of treats somewhere under the sofa that he stuffs his face on when he's out of his cage  ? |
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on Jun 2, 2016 8:02:25 GMT
Not to be . . . ahem . . . indelicate, but have you ever caught Finn partaking in the "male degu ritual of intimate cleansing?" It is a very glaring confirmation of gender. Seriously, Skardsen, fancy posting a couple of pictures of Finn's "undercarriage"? |
|
|
|
Post by uglibug on Jun 2, 2016 8:09:44 GMT
He definitely has a pear shaped look about him. Are you 1000% sure he is a he?
|
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Jun 2, 2016 15:13:26 GMT
I have been looking way back in your posts, Skarsden, and March 2 you asked about a loud, repeated barking by one of your degus, which we said can follow a successful mating or a session of "male degu ritual of intimate cleansing." This is now three months ago . . . and if Finn is indeed female, you will likely find pups within the week, if not already. I am thinking you should be thinking of how to separate them as soon as possible, NOW if you can, so that there is no mating following delivery which would result in back to back pregnancies. Can you block off the top of your cage from the bottom of the cage? You should be pup proofing the section Finn is in, because pups are mobile within the first day, and within the next few days you will find them wandering the whole cage, and outside of it if they can find a way out. Being the curious little furballs that they are, they actively look for ways. So cardboard around the outside of the cage bars is one way to prevent them slipping through. Be sure that it is attached firmly. Then you need to decide what you will do with the pups once they are about 7 weeks old, and you have determined their genders.
|
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Jun 2, 2016 19:52:52 GMT
Oh gosh, get checking and let us know, Skarsden!
|
|
|
|
Post by skardsen on Jun 2, 2016 21:22:00 GMT
He's definitely male. He gives himself a bit of self love every day, and he's always the one humping poor little Frankie. I haven't got a glass bowl to put him in for taking pictures and I don't want to stress him out by picking him up. Besides, they both have the same bits, so it's not that. I think he just likes his food too much, as he's nowhere near as picky as Frankie is, so he might be eating whatever Frankie ignores. I think it's possible I might be being a little too generous with the treats when they're out since he begs for them a lot more. I've tried switching them to Rosewood Naturals grainless but they don't like it. I also tried moving them onto hay cookies, but still, very little interest. I've since decided to do some tests to make sure the scale was correctly centered, and I've ended up with different results:   To compare, here's his brother's weight:  This puts Finn at 280g and Frankie at 240g. They're around 7 months old, so is he still overweight? I can't find my tape measure so I can't get his body length. |
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Jun 2, 2016 21:59:43 GMT
He certainly looks healthy enough. His fur looks nice ad shiny.
I would suspect that they are from different litters so genetics are playing a part and he's just a foody.
Try feeding them separately and weigh the food, giving Fin a little less than Frankie. When they've finished eating remove most of the excess so he doesn't have a large stash he can get at. I'd also curb the treats when he's out if he's being greedy.
Mine hate hay cookies so I'm with you on that one. I ended up giving mine to a lady who owns a horse as he loved them.
|
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Jun 3, 2016 15:16:29 GMT
He is still large for his age, but really not by an excessive amount. Some degus are larger in every way, and it is possible he will be just such a one. I don't think I would worry too much just yet. Weigh him every couple of weeks and just watch to see if things slow down. Definitely use a lighter hand with the treats, and if you see him continuing to gain, maybe then start to reduce his daily intake.
|
|
|
|
Post by skardsen on Jun 26, 2016 22:57:01 GMT
His weight is starting to come down. I still give them treats every day to maintain a bond and trust with them, but now it's just a small pinch of millet flakes instead of the puffed rice. Also, they've suddenly decided they like the grain free pellets, so I'm wondering if I should just try to switch them over to it now while they're showing interest. I'm considering not giving them any of the Science Selective tomorrow just to see they'll accept the grain free stuff as their main feed.
|
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Jun 27, 2016 10:08:44 GMT
I would do a gradual shift to the grainless so they don't change their minds about liking it. It might be worth keeping them on a few of the SS if his weight looks OK because it has higher vitamin and calcium content. I'm less concerned about the weight since you cleared up it was 280g rather than 380g. Keep offering the forage and keep trying with the degu oil seed mix in case he is overeating because he is lacking something. Have you tried sesame seeds for a treat?
|
|
?