How small is too small?

[lauralucy]

good morning,

Just a general question. I know its different for every piggy, but at what weight is it too small for a piggy to be functioning properly?

 

[Lady Kelly]

Its impossible to say from weight alone, I have had adult pigs healthily weigh between 800 and 1200g. Some of them have been bigger/longer piggies etc. The best way to check healthy weight is checking the heft instead. Have a look at this guide which gives more info The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight

 

[lauralucy]

Thank you.

I have a light weight, he has lost weight but vet cannot find a reason. he currently weighs 727g he has been lower. he looks a bit fluffy but still eats hay and nuggets, not so keen on veg. Still drinking to.

 

[Posyrose]

How old is he? Guinea pigs lose weight gradually towards old age as they lose muscle mass and become more bony.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Thank you.

I have a light weight, he has lost weight but vet cannot find a reason. he currently weighs 727g he has been lower. he looks a bit fluffy but still eats hay and nuggets, not so keen on veg. Still drinking to.

What sort of weight loss are you looking at over what period? Being fluffed up would indicate there is some pain going on somewhere, good that he is still eating and drinking though. What tests has your vet done to try and find the reason behind the weight loss?

 

[Wiebke]

good morning,

Just a general question. I know its different for every piggy, but at what weight is it too small for a piggy to be functioning properly?

There is no minimal weight limit, but generally adult piggies below 600g have either a major genetic/health issue or have been suffering from malnutrition in their youth; the latter can be caught up on if a piggy is still young enough.
If there is a genetic or health issue, then it depends on the severity and whether it can be medically treated/supported for any length of time and how much it impacts on the rest of the body - but those cases are very individual.

But there is no firm rule as to a minimal ceiling. As long as a piggy is happy and healthy in itself, then it is as fine as a small sized human.