Losing weight

[Parkyem]

Hello wise guinea pig folk, this may be a ridiculous question, but I’m looking for confirmation from experienced piggy parents . . .
Melvin gained weight after we adopted him, and was up to 1450g but this week he’s lost 30g, not a big loss I know, but wondering if it could just be down to exercise as they’ve just been upgraded from 1.4m to a 2.6m cage and he’s moving about more!
He is eating and drinking well, teeth appear fine etc.
Thank you in advance for advice!
Emily

 

[DM030819]

Yeah, it's a possibility. Keep weighing him weekly to keep a check on his weight.

At 1450g he definitely won't be any worse off for losing a few grams.

 

[Wiebke]

At that weight, he quite a chunky boy, so 30g (which is within the daily weight swing) is not a great loss nothing yet to worry about.
Please keep in mind that marked weather changes can also play a role in weight loss/gain. We are currently going from unusually cold to unusually hot in just a few days. Piggies are not very good with adapting.

Here is our hot weather guide: Hot Weather Management And Heat Strokes

You can check whether your boy is a good size for his weight via this guide here: The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight

 

[Parkyem]

At that weight, he quite a chunky boy, so 30g (which is within the daily weight swing) is not a great loss nothing yet to worry about.
Please keep in mind that marked weather changes can also play a role in weight loss/gain. We are currently going from unusually cold to unusually hot in just a few days. Piggies are not very good with adapting.

Here is our hot weather guide: Hot Weather Management And Heat Strokes

You can check whether your boy is a good size for his weight via this guide here: The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight

Ah thank you, yes he’s a bit of a chunky fella they are inside pigs and don’t seem to enjoy grass time so haven’t had any real temp changes. Will keep weighing and watching just in case! Thank you

 

[Parkyem]

Yeah, it's a possibility. Keep weighing him weekly to keep a check on his weight.

At 1450g he definitely won't be any worse off for losing a few grams.

He is a big fatty! Haha! As you say, probably nothing to worry about yet, and he’s just working on his bikini body, thank you for reply x

 

[Abi_nurse]

1.4kg is quite large for a boar. Some can be but it sounds like 30g would do him good I certainly wouldn't worry about this much in a week even in a skinny piggie. I would as others have said keep an eye and check it's not a downward trend too much.

 

[Parkyem]

1.4kg is quite large for a boar. Some can be but it sounds like 30g would do him good I certainly wouldn't worry about this much in a week even in a skinny piggie. I would as others have said keep an eye and check it's not a downward trend too much.

Thank you Abi, he is large - I thought he had bloat a few weeks back! He didn’t, It was in fact just his big belly.

 

[ElizaCavies]

He is a big fatty! Haha! As you say, probably nothing to worry about yet, and he’s just working on his bikini body, thank you for reply x

Lol