Suitable Weight Gain?

[thebiscuitpigs]

Hi, I’m not sure if I’m posting this in the right section, but I’ll go ahead anyway.
(My girls are 9 weeks old by the way) I got my guinea pigs just over a week ago, and I weighed them last Saturday and Matilda weighed 425g, and Nancy weighed 500g. I weighed them again today and Matilda weighs 475g - which seems a good increase to me, but Nancy now weighs 625g! She definitely feels a lot rounder than Matilda but that seems a big weight gain in comparison! I was wondering if this weight increase is normal, or if I could possibly have either a pregnant or an overweight guinea pig? (Or is Matilda possibly underweight?) Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, I’m not sure if I’m posting this in the right section, but I’ll go ahead anyway.
(My girls are 9 weeks old by the way) I got my guinea pigs just over a week ago, and I weighed them last Saturday and Matilda weighed 425g, and Nancy weighed 500g. I weighed them again today and Matilda weighs 475g - which seems a good increase to me, but Nancy now weighs 625g! She definitely feels a lot rounder than Matilda but that seems a big weight gain in comparison! I was wondering if this weight increase is normal, or if I could possibly have either a pregnant or an overweight guinea pig? (Or is Matilda possibly underweight?) Thanks

The weight gain is on the high side. Normal is an average weight gain of 20-30g per week during the phase of fast growth. The overall weight is not important because it varies a lot between babies and even more adults and with a good moderate and balanced diet, all guinea pigs have a good chance at realising their genetically determined optimal weight/size before they reach adulthood at 15 months of age. They are both a good weight for their age.

Please check your feeding regime and make sure that you are NOT overfeeding on veg and pellets. Over 80% of the daily food intake should be timothy, meadow or orchard hay for long term health and longevity.The more you overfeed on pellets, the less hay your girls will eat.
Please take the time to read our diet guide. You will find it hopefully helpful!

Your guinea pigs are still way too young for them to be in the later stages of a pregnancy where the big weight gain happens. If yours had been impregnated as early as possible, they'd be between a third to at the very best halfway through a pregnancy and a stage where any embryos are still much too small to be noticeable or make any impact on their their mum's weight.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diet
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/pregnancy-guide.109375/

 

[thebiscuitpigs]

The weight gain is on the high side. Normal is an average weight gain of 20-30g per week during the phase of fast growth. The overall weight is not important because it varies a lot between babies and even more adults and with a good moderate and balanced diet, all guinea pigs have a good chance at realising their genetically determined optimal weight/size before they reach adulthood at 15 months of age. They are both a good weight for their age.

Please check your feeding regime and make sure that you are NOT overfeeding on veg and pellets. Over 80% of the daily food intake should be timothy, meadow or orchard hay for long term health and longevity.The more you overfeed on pellets, the less hay your girls will eat.
Please take the time to read our diet guide. You will find it hopefully helpful!

Your guinea pigs are still way too young for them to be in the later stages of a pregnancy where the big weight gain happens. If yours had been impregnated as early as possible, they'd be between a third to at the very best halfway through a pregnancy and a stage where any embryos are still much too small to be noticeable or make any impact on their their mum's weight.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diet
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/pregnancy-guide.109375/

Thank you! At the moment I’m giving the girls 1/4 of pellets and 2 cups of vegetables a day, which I think is suitable (as well as timothy hay ad lib) I think Nancy is eating most of the food so I’ll have to keep an eye on her! I’m glad they aren’t pregnant though - I dont think I’ve got room for any little ones!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you! At the moment I’m giving the girls 1/4 of pellets and 2 cups of vegetables a day, which I think is suitable (as well as timothy hay ad lib) I think Nancy is eating most of the food so I’ll have to keep an eye on her! I’m glad they aren’t pregnant though - I dont think I’ve got room for any little ones!

If you suspect one of your piggy eating the majority of your food, then please serve pellets and veg in a bowl each 2-3 times a day in portions that can be eaten in one go, as we recommend in our diet guide in order to prevent food hogging. Removing the bowls in between meals also encourages the piggies to eat more hay, which is vital for dental and gut health. Adult piggies should only eat about a tablespoon of pellets (ca. 10g).

 

[thebiscuitpigs]

If you suspect one of your piggy eating the majority of your food, then please serve pellets and veg in a bowl each 2-3 times a day in portions that can be eaten in one go, as we recommend in our diet guide in order to prevent food hogging. Removing the bowls in between meals also encourages the piggies to eat more hay, which is vital for dental and gut health. Adult piggies should only eat about a tablespoon of pellets (ca. 10g).

Thanks - I’m going to try feeding them more frequently during the day, and using two bowls rather than just the one I’ve got at the moment (hopefully that might also stop Nancy stealing all the food). Thank you

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks - I’m going to try feeding them more frequently during the day, and using two bowls rather than just the one I’ve got at the moment (hopefully that might also stop Nancy stealing all the food). Thank you

Make sure that the food bowls are at least one body length away from the other. If you a very dominant piggy, have a third bowl with a little extra at the ready to give the underpiggy a chance.
If the weight gain continues to be more than 30g/ 1 oz per week, then you are overfeeding.

 

[thebiscuitpigs]

Make sure that the food bowls are at least one body length away from the other. If you a very dominant piggy, have a third bowl with a little extra at the ready to give the underpiggy a chance.
If the weight gain continues to be more than 30g/ 1 oz per week, then you are overfeeding.

Okay, I’ve actually got three bowls so I’ll do that! I’m weighing them weekly as well so I’ll be able to notice any changes in her weight. Thank you