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weight loss and gain

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bubblenginger

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Just a quick question - I've got two piggie girls, who are sisters aged 9months. One has always been bigger than the other, but i weighed them at Xmas, and one was considerably less than the other. So I started to give the smaller piggy some time alone with her vegetables etc and she has gained weight. However, I'm now paranoid because i weigh them both every other day and some days they have gained, then the following weigh, they have lost it! They seem to go up and down like a yoyo! For example, one day Ginger weighed 948g and the next weigh (which was about 2 days after,) she was 927g!

Is this normal? They both seem to be healthy, eating well and running about lots! My husband's theory was that they were using lots of energy in staying warm etc, although i have got them indoors. thanks all!
 
Your weighing them too often if for example I stepped on the scales now, tomorrow my weight will be different. Things that play apart in this are full bladder, just ate, just urinated etc.

As they are still young I would weigh them weekly, every week at the same time and note the weights. You ar looking for a trend or a big weightloss. A guinea pigs bladder can be the difference of 30grams.
 
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I wouldn't worry about anything less than 30g or so as this can depend on whether they have a full tummy / bladder compared to an empty tummy or bladder.

Just weigh them weekly.
 
Firstly, your girl has got a good weight for her age, so you do not need to worry about that. Most piggies will range between 900-1300g when they stop growing between 12-15 months old (in some cases even as early as 9 months old). Weight gain is slowing down after six months old and you might just get the odd growth spurt.

Sisters can be very different in weight. My Nia and Nerys were 150g difference in weight when I adopted them from the RSPCA at 10 months old. It is nearly 400g now. However, it is the smaller, much more energetic sister who rules my whole Tribe at just over 1 kilo of adult weight, not my lazy greedy guts at over 1400g!

Up to 80% of a piggy diet should be unlimited hay, so make sure that they have plenty! Start reducing the amount of pellets you are giving, going from unlimited pellets during the first six months of their lives slowly down to about 1 or even 1/2 handful per piggy per day for mature adults. Mixed veg you give about 50g/1cupful per piggy per day. Make sure that you include at least one high vitamin C veg like peppers, broccoli or fresh coriander.

Please weigh your piggies once weekly, preferably at the same time of the day. That makes for the best results. Daily weighing is only necessary when your piggy is ill. The weight can vary around 30g just due to a full belly/full bladder, so you are looking for trends over several days anyway.

Here are some links that you might find helpful:
http://www.guinealynx.info/weigh.html
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38805
 
Well, that's a relief! I didnt know there could be such a difference in weight from them just weeing! 30g! I can stop worrying now then! Although it may still be an idea to allow them both some time alone with their veg, as i can see there is a pecking order and I don't want Bubble stealing all the nutrients!

thanks again all! xoxo
 
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