Guinea Pig growing really fast?

[AllieG]

Hi, I'm a relatively New Guinea pig owner so please bear with me for the multiple questions.
I got my two pigs in December and they were both pretty small and the same size and I was told they were around 6-8 weeks so they should be around 3/4 months now. One pig has grown a bit but the other has doubled in size in the past two months and is getting close to the "adult" size I was told. She's 25.4cm long and weighs 885grams already. I was told female guinea pigs normally weigh about 700-900grams and are around 20-25cm long. It hasn't caused any issues aside from her eating a lot more than the other pig so they can't be together when they eat. I was just curious if I was told the correct average size and if I should be concerned that she's already this big at 3/4 months or if she's maybe just a larger pig? All google has told me is something about a "Cuy" Guinea pig, and while all the identifying factors do match my pig, I don't want to assume.

Thanks in advance

 

[Freela]

The size of adult guinea pigs can vary considerably (I have one big girl and one small girl right now, both full adult size. The big one is close to 3 lbs, the little one about 1.5 pounds. Honestly, most of my girls have been larger than the 700-900 g range quoted above.) So she may very well just be a larger pig. Cuy are basically the farm stock pig that is eaten in South America and apparently some are making it into the pet trade, particularly in the southern US. They are build a lot larger than typical pet guinea pigs, are more likely to have extra toe digits, may be a lot more skittish/wild and fearful of humans, and are typically red/white or red or white, from what I understand. I think it's more likely you have a larger pet pig, particularly if she is friendly and has any other colors anywhere. Hope this helps a bit. I'll try to find info on differences between cuy and the usual pet pig to post.

 

[Freela]

Here's some info on cuy in California. It have some pics, as well as some descriptions of cuy behavior for your to compare yorus against, just in case. Cuy Page

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, I'm a relatively New Guinea pig owner so please bear with me for the multiple questions.
I got my two pigs in December and they were both pretty small and the same size and I was told they were around 6-8 weeks so they should be around 3/4 months now. One pig has grown a bit but the other has doubled in size in the past two months and is getting close to the "adult" size I was told. She's 25.4cm long and weighs 885grams already. I was told female guinea pigs normally weigh about 700-900grams and are around 20-25cm long. It hasn't caused any issues aside from her eating a lot more than the other pig so they can't be together when they eat. I was just curious if I was told the correct average size and if I should be concerned that she's already this big at 3/4 months or if she's maybe just a larger pig? All google has told me is something about a "Cuy" Guinea pig, and while all the identifying factors do match my pig, I don't want to assume.

Thanks in advance

Hi!

Weights and size cited in literature are generally too low and small for well cared for pet guinea pigs. Individual weight and size can vary massively. The average weight for adult piggies is around 900-1300g but it can range between 600g-1800g and still be healthy.
Please take the time to read these guides here. It will also explain how you check around the ribs if your guinea pigs are a good weight for their size - checking the 'heft' works for any size piggy at any age and is a much better tool to ensure that your piggies are healthy in themselves.
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig

Please also check your diet. Unlimited hay should make over 80% of the daily food intake; it is key to general good health and can also influence how long your piggies live. A balanced veg mix should make 10% (we have an illustrated sample diet) and a tablespoon of pellets per piggy per day is what is recommended these days - serving too much pellets will prevent your piggies from eating as much as hay as they should. Our diet guide also contains tips on how to deal with food bullies.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

Both guides are part of our New Owners helpful and informative guide collection wich specifically addresses all the areas we get the most questions and concerns about from new owners.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

PS: Here is a picture of my bonded pair Helygen and Pioden. Both are a healthy weight for their size and are neither overweight or underweight, even though they are my smallest and largest piggies at 700g and 1400g as fully grown adults!

 

[AllieG]

Thanks to everyone who replied! She doesn't seem unhealthy or unhappy so maybe she will just be a big pig Thanks for the info and tips!

 

[Betsy]

I have a small boar who's weighs in at 970g and his brother is 1115g they are both very healthy and happy piggies. My heaviest sow weighs in at 1300g and she is healthy and happy too. As long as reach their optimal weight and are not fat they are fine.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks to everyone who replied! She doesn't seem unhealthy or unhappy so maybe she will just be a big pig Thanks for the info and tips!

Keep an eye out for a potential pregnancy in any new sows. A pregnancy lasts on average about 10 weeks and is usually not noticeable unless the last 2-3 weeks when the babies grow quickly and so does the weight.
Piggies can sometimes be already pregnant upon sale if mis-sexing or not removing males and boar babies soon enough/keeping males over 3 weeks of age and females strictly separate at any stage from the commercial mass breeder throught transport to the various branches or in the pet shop itself. Always double-check the gender of any piggies of yours upon arrival.
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)

If you have any worries re, potential pregnancy, you are welcome to open an ongoing specially monitored support thread in our pregnancy section. Please read our relevant guides in this case. You can access them via this link here: Pregnancy & Baby Care Guide's

 

[Flutterby]

Weights and sizes can vary so much! I have an adult boar who is just over 800g, a small lad. My biggest adult boar is just short of 1500g, almost twice the size!