Are These Good Weights?

[Jessie Burk]

Hi Everyone! I was just wondering about the weights of my guinea pigs. I was reading online and it said that the adverage weight for a female guinea pig is 700 grams to 900 grams and a male should only be 900 grams to 1200 grams. This made me concerned because I knew that my guinea pigs were over that recommended weight. I have all females and this is their breed, weight and age!

Breed:Sheltie Age:1 year weight:1176.9grams

Breed:American Age:1 year weight:1178.1 grams

Breed: American Age:4 months weight:630.3 grams

So are these healthy weights or if not what can I do to help this?

 

[Chloe04]

I’m no guinea pig expert, so don’t take my word for this but I’ve heard that weights can differ between individual guinea pigs so females can weigh more than 900g. I think rather than weights it’s down to feeling their condition to tell if they are healthy (it might be that you’ve just got naturally bigger guinea pigs). One of my piggies weighs 625g and she’s only 9 weeks!

 

[gizzy]

Your pigs would seem to be a healthy weight ! Guinea pigs like most animals come in shapes and sizes, l have pigs that are as small as 450 grams whilst others that are over 1200 grams and over
Though as they get older they often "slowly " loose weigh , this may need be taken into consideration when you feel your pig may be poorly because it is dropping a few grams (though it's always wise to run it past a piggy savy vet )

 

[Wiebke]

Hi Everyone! I was just wondering about the weights of my guinea pigs. I was reading online and it said that the adverage weight for a female guinea pig is 700 grams to 900 grams and a male should only be 900 grams to 1200 grams. This made me concerned because I knew that my guinea pigs were over that recommended weight. I have all females and this is their breed, weight and age!

Breed:Sheltie Age:1 year weight:1176.9grams

Breed:American Age:1 year weight:1178.1 grams

Breed: American Age:4 months weight:630.3 grams

So are these healthy weights or if not what can I do to help this?

These are perfectly healthy weights. In fact, sows are generally not much smaller than boars. The literature is unfortunately lagging behind and based on breeder piggies where pregnant sows are facing an additional burden on often not the best of diets. I always get compliments for my piggies from any new vet I see for being just right for their size. And the majority of them is in your weight range during the prime of their lives.
Much more telling than absolute weights is what we call 'heft' - the weight/size ratio since individual sizes as well as birth sizes can vary so much; you check that around the ribcage. Take a look at this thread and then check whether your piggies are an ideal weight/size ratio or whether you are overfeeding.
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diet

 

[Jessie Burk]

These are perfectly healthy weights. In fact, sows are generally not much smaller than boars. The literature is unfortunately lagging behind and based on breeder piggies where pregnant sows are facing an additional burden on often not the best of diets. I always get compliments for my piggies from any new vet I see for being just right for their size. And the majority of them is in your weight range during the prime of their lives.
Much more telling than absolute weights is what we call 'heft' - the weight/size ratio since individual sizes as well as birth sizes can vary so much; you check that around the ribcage. Take a look at this thread and then check whether your piggies are an ideal weight/size ratio or whether you are overfeeding.
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diet

Thank you I definitely feel better about their weight now!

 

[Kate187]

My current girl is around 1000g and my old 2 were around 1100g each, and they were perfectly healthy and a good weight!

Also my boy is only 1000g too as he's a petite chap

 

[Jessie Burk]

Thanks everyone! This helped a lot!