Piggy Weight

[StephieAck]

Hi
I'm wondering if someone can give me advice on what is a healthy weight for an adult guinea pig please?
Also, if a guinea pig is at a heavier weight than they should be, what can you do to help them to shed some grams?
Other than more exercise obviously.
Is there a feeding regime to try?
Also, if you have a pair of piggies and one is overweight and the other isnt, how do you go about getting the heavy one to lose weight without affecting the correct weight piggy?
Thanks
xx Steph xx

 

[StephieAck]

The reason I ask is because my sow Gin, seems rather chubby.
She weighs 1304g.
She is eighteen months old.
My boar Charcoal, is four and a bit and is the boyish shape and weighs in at what seems to be a healthier 1005g.
Id like to get Gin's weight down to a nice healthy range (if her current weight isnt quite healthy) but I dont want to make Charcoal lose weight too, because in his appearance and weight, he seems just about perfect.
I realise that alot of sows hold their weight more so than the boars, but blimey oh riley!
Gin is alot younger than Charcoal and weighs a good lot more than him, surely that shouldnt be the case.
They are fed P@H nuggets as their dry food.
They get lots of fresh hay everyday.
They get spring greens, carrot, cucumber, raddish and apple every day.
They dont get a huge portion of veggies, not overfeeding them there, just a nice healthy portion.
Theyve obviously not been having much exercise because of the bad weather we've had for the past couple of months, though I could give them a run around in the lounge, but because of the large amount of electrics that hubby insists on having, they have to run around in the pen that I made for them, which is sizeable, but they dont tend to bound around it, they sniff about and then go to sleep lol
So I'm not actually sure what I should be doing to help Gin to be healthier and slimmer.
She isnt suffering, she is very active in her cage and throws around a few good shapes during her popcorning sessions.
Maybe she is just 'big boned'?
What do you all think?
Thanks
xx Steph xx

 

[karenrgpr]

Hi, can I have an imperial conversion please! I make that about 3 pound or just over. Depending on her length that isn't too bad. The problem is when they get fat as opposed to fit, which isn't life threatening until they need an operation.
If you think they're too big for their size cut out fruits and roots and cut down on dry food (not all at once ) Increase hay and Readigrass. Sows that have been bred from sometimes stay in the pregnant pear shape but it stays as flab and they can constantly look pregnant

 

[Niki]

Hi Steph
Guinea Lynx states ....
Veterinary reference books frequently cite adult weights of:
    900-1200 grams for males (1lb 15oz - 2lb 10oz)
    700-900 grams for females (1lb 8oz - 1lb 15oz)
These weights do not seem typical nor representative of pet guinea pigs. Male and female weights are often similar and overall weight is generally higher.  

I personally think 900g for a male is THIN, my Wilbur is 876g/1lb 14oz  after being ill & is tiny in comparison to what he was tho' he is slowly gaining weight.  

My boy piggies range between 1102g/2lb 6oz - 1418g/3lb 2oz.  My girl piggies range between 1032g/2lb 4oz - 1106g/2lb 6oz & are still gaining weight.  I love to see a chubby piggy & if Gin were mine i wouldn't be worried at all  
However, this is just my personal opinion  

 

[Niki]

Hi, can I have an imperial conversion please! I make that about 3 pound or just over. Depending on her length that isn't too bad. The problem is when they get fat as opposed to fit, which isn't life threatening until they need an operation.
If you think they're too big for their size cut out fruits and roots and cut down on dry food (not all at once ) Increase hay and Readigrass. Sows that have been bred from sometimes stay in the pregnant pear shape but it stays as flab and they can constantly look pregnant

Karen 1304g = 2lb 13oz 1005g = 2lb 3oz

Can guineas become overweight? I didn't think they did :-\ Does this mean my Hamish needs to go on a diet? He's the 3lb 2oz porker

 

[karenrgpr]

Thanks for the conversions
Sometimes piggies do get overweight and need to lose some, but it really depends on the overall size of the pig. I know a few 4 pound piggies that are extremely fit and don't need to lose weight

3.2 sounds a good weight I wouldn't get too bothered by it, only if they start to lose weight They certainly shouldn't 'go on a diet' Change their diet if they're overweight to one with more hay and grass and less dry food...

 

[StephieAck]

Thanks guys, thats put my mind at ease.
She has never littered, so its not mama body lol
Ill keep my eye on Gin and make sure her weight stays at the level that its at now, Ill only worry again if she just keeps piling it on.
Thanks again guys.
xx Steph xx

 

[Niki]

Thanks for the conversions
Sometimes piggies do get overweight and need to lose some, but it really depends on the overall size of the pig. I know a few 4 pound piggies that are extremely fit and don't need to lose  weight

3.2 sounds a good weight I wouldn't get too bothered by it, only if they start to lose weight They certainly shouldn't 'go on a diet' Change their diet if they're overweight to one with more hay and grass and less dry food...

Thanks Karen, i'm not worried about him; to me he's in proportion because he's quite long, he's my beautiful big chubster boy :smitten:  Oh my i would so love to see a 4lb piggy ;D