Underweight winter hog

[gabbic123]

Hi,
I am currently caring for a little hog (nearly 400g) who was found wandering around in daylight in mid January.
He has been checked and is eating/drinking/pooing/weeing fine – and is very active at night! He’s been staying in my spare room (and I am quite happy to keep him in there if needed) – I was just wondering whether it would be better for him to stay in my shed or garage? If I moved him, I was going to insulate the hutch he’s currently in, and he would be able to have as much bedding as necessary!
Or should I wait for him to gain some more weight?

Thanks

[Jan-Marie]

Hi gabbic123,

he’s still a little underweight to move to a cooler environment. He needs to be at least 450gms – preferably a little bigger than that (600 to 800gms) – but he will put on weight very quickly in captivity. Once at a healthy weight you could try and move him to a cooler environment to try and encourage him to hibernate, but they don’t always do so in captivity – especially if a juvenile. The environment for hibernation should still include a natural light source – so garages / sheds aren’t ideal if they don’t have a window – but fine if they do. you will still need to check on him regularly in case he does wake intermittently.
fingers crossed for you and well done for getting him this far!

[gabbic123]

Thanks so much for your help Jan-Marie! 🙂

[Shazza65]

Hi, I have literally just picked up an adolescent hog unsteady on his feet. Not weighed it yet as I was walking my dogs. He was very hungry and thirsty and now desperate to escape from a guinea pig cage! Any advice and information will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[stef]

Please contact your local carer as a matter of urgency for advice here as he probably needs to see them asap.
Meanwhile keep warm.
Hyperactivity in a hog isn’t alway’s a good sign

[Author]

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