Guinea pig weight

[Gemma Gregory]

I’m looking for some advice please, my 3 year old pig is a long haired boy but I’m concerned that on recent grooming and trim I can feel his hip bones they are quite prominent he still has a tummy and appears to eat well(?always in the food bowl) and is in general good health but Just wondering if I should be concerned? Or what to do? Any help and advice would be great I’ve attached a pic taken tonight Thanks

 

[Gemma Gregory]

I’m looking for some advice please, my 3 year old pig is a long haired boy but I’m concerned that on recent grooming and trim I can feel his hip bones they are quite prominent he still has a tummy and appears to eat well(?always in the food bowl) and is in general good health but Just wondering if I should be concerned? Or what to do? Any help and advice would be great I’ve attached a pic taken tonight ThanksView attachment 139316

 

[Wiebke]

I’m looking for some advice please, my 3 year old pig is a long haired boy but I’m concerned that on recent grooming and trim I can feel his hip bones they are quite prominent he still has a tummy and appears to eat well(?always in the food bowl) and is in general good health but Just wondering if I should be concerned? Or what to do? Any help and advice would be great I’ve attached a pic taken tonight ThanksView attachment 139316

Hi!

Please weigh your guinea pigs once weekly as a matter of routine and switch to weighing daily at the same time whenever you have a concern. Weighing is a very important life long health monitoring tool for slowly developing health problems. It also helps your vet in their diagnosis when they have an idea of the size and development of any weight loss.

You feel around the ribcage whether your piggy is a good weight, or too fat or thin; in the guide it is called the 'heft' but you may think of it as feeling for the BMI.

Please see a vet if your boy is indeed underweight. Especially in long-haired guinea pigs it is very easy to miss a major weight loss when it doesn't come with other major symptoms. Guinea pigs are prey animals, so very good at suppressing any signs of illness until very late. You can also never judge the hay intake just by eye.

Here is our weight guide, which you may find very interesting and helpful: Weight - Monitoring and Management

Here is our emergency, crisis and bridging support guide. If your boy has lost a lot of weight, you want to step in with feeding support asap. this guide here can tell you what you can do if you have to improvise until you can get a vet appointment: Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

 

[Gemma Gregory]

Hi

thanks so much I’ve weighed him he’s 1.3kg which from your guide is in the healthy range will continue to weigh him all this week and monitor thanks so much for your help