Big guinea pig?

[thepiggies]

I have a herd of 4 - one neutered boar and three sows. I recently noticed 1 year old, Athena, getting bigger. At first I was scared of pregnancy, but I’ve checked many times, and am positive everyone besides Bunny (the neutered boar) is female. My next thought was bloating, however when I felt her sides they were squishy and normal. She eats as much as the other piggies and they have no problems like this, however they’re younger and more active, while Athena has never been one to run around much. Is she just be chubby or is it something else?

 

[Hope4gem]

Do you weigh your piggies? Weighing weekly throughout their lifetime is recommended to see any significant fluctuations in weight which can point to underlying health concerns. You switch to weighing daily if you have any concerns or when they are ill. Here's some guides with more information. If you are concerned about your piggy I'd suggest you get them checked by a vet.
weight-monitoring-and-management

 

[thepiggies]

I’m actually getting a scale because of this problem, thank you for the suggestion! It seems like she’s gained a little weight, and she feels heavier than usual. I wish I’d been weighing them before, but definitely will start doing it weekly. If she starts acting different or I get concerned I’ll be booking a check-up for her, but she’s been acting her usual self. Thank you again!

 

[Hope4gem]

I’m actually getting a scale because of this problem, thank you for the suggestion! It seems like she’s gained a little weight, and she feels heavier than usual. I wish I’d been weighing them before, but definitely will start doing it weekly. If she starts acting different or I get concerned I’ll be booking a check-up for her, but she’s been acting her usual self. Thank you again!

No problem at all. Any simple kitchen scale will do. Start by weighing weekly or more often if you are concerned at all about your Piggy. Track it in a notebook or calendar whatever works best for you. And please continue to ask questions if you have them. It's a very friendly group here and we are happy to help.

 

[thepiggies]

Great, just ordered one! I’ll be watching Athena’s weight, along with my other piggies’.

 

[Wiebke]

I have a herd of 4 - one neutered boar and three sows. I recently noticed 1 year old, Athena, getting bigger. At first I was scared of pregnancy, but I’ve checked many times, and am positive everyone besides Bunny (the neutered boar) is female. My next thought was bloating, however when I felt her sides they were squishy and normal. She eats as much as the other piggies and they have no problems like this, however they’re younger and more active, while Athena has never been one to run around much. Is she just be chubby or is it something else?

Hi

Sows develop their female pear-shaped figure from around 8 months to one year old. How big the bum gets and which shape it takes can be breed related as well as due to an individual genetic disposition. That is why cannot measure the BMI index of piggy from their bum size; you have to feel around the ribcage to see whether a piggy is a good weight for their current size or not.

Our weight guide will answer any questions about weight monitoring, checking the BMI, over- and underweight and how to tackle weight related problems.
Weight - Monitoring and Management


My Nerys (the large piggy in my avatar) has never had a baby in the 8 years of her life but she certainly worked hard on keeping her legendary figure!

 

[thepiggies]

Thank you so much, I assume that’s what’s going on, but I’ll continue to keep an eye on her. Thanks!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much, I assume that’s what’s going on, but I’ll continue to keep an eye on her. Thanks!

Have read of the weight link; you may find it both helpful and much more interesting than expected!