New Guinea pigs and worried!

[Honeyandhazel]

Hi, I recently got 2 new baby guinea pigs they are 5 weeks old and are sisters I got them from someone local who’s guinea pig had babies
I feel like I worry too much since they are new and my very first guinea pigs, so I have a few questions

- 1 of my guinea pigs is bigger than the other is this normal?
- 1 of them has bald patches behind each ear (symetrical) lets me touch them without moving away or wincing so it doesn’t hurt and isn’t causing any problems so I’m not sure if this is normal (added a picture)
- I fed them spinach for 2 days before realising I shouldn’t so I have moved on to romaine lettuce but they don’t seem to be drinking much water? Always eat their food and hay and are active

Also added a picture of them having some lap time

 

[Chaz]

The bigger than the other thing depends on if one is a pig or not. Like how much food they eat. The ear thing is fine too and spinach is ok for them in moderation.

 

[Reenie]

A difference in size is normal, however your two seem to be hugely different at such a young age. Are you sure they are the same age? Was there a big difference when you got them? Sometimes people will have had more than one piggy pregnant (one of my boys is 4 weeks younger than the others for just that reason). It's important to weigh your guinea pigs at least once a week to make sure they're well, as they can hide illness until it is too late. I'm not saying that your smaller piggy is ill though. It's possible she's the runt of the litter or just naturally smaller or she may be getting kept away from the food by her sister. If you weigh them, you can keep an eye on it, and as long as she is a reasonable weight for her age and keeping putting on weight that's ok. I would weigh the smaller one daily until you're sure she's putting on weight. You may need to syringe feed her to top her up if not. There are some great threads in the forum tab which give advice on weight, food and syringe feeding. Welcome to the forum! They are beautiful wee things.

 

[Honeyandhazel]

The bigger than the other thing depends on if one is a pig or not. Like how much food they eat. The ear thing is fine too and spinach is ok for them in moderation.

Thank you

 

[Honeyandhazel]

A difference in size is normal, however your two seem to be hugely different at such a young age. Are you sure they are the same age? Was there a big difference when you got them? Sometimes people will have had more than one piggy pregnant (one of my boys is 4 weeks younger than the others for just that reason). It's important to weigh your guinea pigs at least once a week to make sure they're well, as they can hide illness until it is too late. I'm not saying that your smaller piggy is ill though. It's possible she's the runt of the litter or just naturally smaller or she may be getting kept away from the food by her sister. If you weigh them, you can keep an eye on it, and as long as she is a reasonable weight for her age and keeping putting on weight that's ok. I would weigh the smaller one daily until you're sure she's putting on weight. You may need to syringe feed her to top her up if not. There are some great threads in the forum tab which give advice on weight, food and syringe feeding. Welcome to the forum! They are beautiful wee things.

I think one looks a lot bigger because she is stretched out whereas the other one is not, they are not as different as they look in the picture but I can tell that they both are growing, I always sit with them when they eat their veg to make them used to me and it seems like they share it quite well although the smaller one seems to be a pickier eater. Thank you for the help il start weighing them tomorrow

 

[Seven7]

Welcome and they are lovely.
Are they boys or girls?
If you are not certain and kind of new to raising piggies, maybe check to make sure if they are same sex so you don't end up having more babies.

 

[Reenie]

I think one looks a lot bigger because she is stretched out whereas the other one is not, they are not as different as they look in the picture but I can tell that they both are growing, I always sit with them when they eat their veg to make them used to me and it seems like they share it quite well although the smaller one seems to be a pickier eater. Thank you for the help il start weighing them tomorrow

The camera CAN be deceptive. A cheap set of kitchen scales is all you need for weighing them. Can't wait to see more pics, they're very cute!

 

[Honeyandhazel]

Welcome and they are lovely.
Are they boys or girls?
If you are not certain and kind of new to raising piggies, maybe check to make sure if they are same sex so you don't end up having more babies.

Welcome and they are lovely.
Are they boys or girls?
If you are not certain and kind of new to raising piggies, maybe check to make sure if they are same sex so you don't end up having more babies.

They are 2 girls they were checked when I got them

 

[Honeyandhazel]

The camera CAN be deceptive. A cheap set of kitchen scales is all you need for weighing them. Can't wait to see more pics, they're very cute!

Maybe these are better, I have them so I can do it whenever

 

[Betsy]

Welcome to the forum. Your piggies are really cute!

You may find this guide useful:-

Guinea pig body quirks

All piggies have a bald patch behind the ear so that is nothing to worry about. The smaller pig as already mentioned could be the runt of the litter. I have Meg who now weighs in at 1166g and her brother Dennis who now weighs in at 1065g. It took Dennis nearly 2 years to get over the 1000g mark as he is the runt. As long as your piggy is healthy and is putting on weight that is all that matters.

 

[Flutterby]

They are cuties, congrats!

 

[Reenie]

Maybe these are better, I have them so I can do it whenever

I see what you mean. The difference isn't nearly as much as it looked in the first pic. They are really sweet! My 5 boys are all pretty much fully grown now, and of the two who are brothers, one has just recently scraped up to 805g and the other is 1050g. The difference can be even bigger.