how big is too big?

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

unfortunately my digital scale is out of batteries, so i had to weigh george on an old fashioned baby scale. according to my dad its very accurate, despite its age. anyway, i weighed george and the scale balanced between 3 and 1/4 lbs and 3 and 1/2 lbs. is he just a healthy, husky boy, or is he too heavy? he is just under one year old, if that helps. just wanna make sure georgey porgey is healthy pig thanks in advance.

 

[gizmo01]

what have you been feeding him? bill and gizmo are both 3.25 lbs (about 1470g) but theyre both between 16 and 24 months

 

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

he gets pellets, hay, and veggies. pretty normal diet, but hes so big!

 

[Pebble]

My boy piggies have always between 1.2-1.5kg. Recently I have extended my herd and realised that <1kg is also OK....(but not below 0.9kg unless there are special piggie circumstances...)

A weight loss in any pig of >30g over one week is cause for concern.,,,,

Onc it gets to 90% original bodyweight (ie 100g loss for a 1kg pig) ....then...... you need to see a vet pronto and break out the Critical Care/Scales.


Paws here crossed he will be OK


HTH
x

 

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

well hes not losing weight, just gains, and gains, and gains! i just dunno if hes tooo heavy. hes more sedentary than piglet and roger (not that he doesnt have the opportunity to run, he just chooses not to rolleyes) so maybe thats why hes heavier? :{

 

[Pebble]

Gains is also as important to monitor as losses....fluid in the abdomen and/or lungs can add a considerable amount to a pigs wieght. Please start posting daily weights so we know how to advise.....and can identify from your location a cavy savvy vet


x

 

[Wiebke]

How old are they? Adult piggies need less pellets than growing youngsters; about 1/2 - 1 handful per day instead of unlimited. Veg should be about 1 cupful per piggy per day; up to 80% should be hay.

Has the weight gain been steady or sudden?

PS: You may find this thread perhaps helpful. http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38805

 

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

george is probably 10 months old, give or take a month. if I'm being honest, i havent been very diligent about weighing them since my scale wasnt working, and it wasnt until recently that i found out about the old baby scale. but i willbe sure to get batteries soon to get a more accurate reading.