Weight variations

LondonLady

LondonLady

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Hello, new piggie mum back with more questions.
Toffee and Biscuit have been with me for two months now and I've got into the routine of weighing them every Saturday. What I'm wondering is, how much can their weight go up or down before I need to worry that something's wrong? The first few weeks I weighed them they both seemed to gain a little bit of weight each week - about 15-20g and I was concerned because I wasn't sure what's normal. But then today they've both lost weight: 35-40g so now I'm even more worried. They both seem fine, are eating well and pooing normally. Am I being stupid or is there a problem?
The only possible reason I can think of for the weight loss is that I usually weigh them late morning, but today I did it earlier before they had their nuggets and morning veggies. could that have made a difference?
 

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Hmmm... Weighing them before they’d eaten when you usually weigh after could possibly make a difference. How did their heft feel? And how old are they?
 
When I got them I was told Toffee was a year and Biscuit two and a half. They feel ok to me but I'm not confident I would know if they weren't. the vet who checked them a few weeks ago commented that they were 'a good weight'.
 
You’re feeling for ribs. If they’re too prominent then they’re small. If you can’t feel them at all then they’re a bit on the large side. You should be able to feel them but not each individual one, and they should have a bit of ‘meat’ on them.

There’s no guide for ‘healthy’ weight in piggies because they come in so many different sizes. For example, my Chanel has always been the smaller one. When I got them around 3 months old, they were roughly the same. However, as they’ve grown up, she’s ‘fallen behind’ Coco. But she feels okay and I think that’s just her. She’s always been more on the smaller side than Coco.
 
Hi!

The difference between a full and and empty tummy can make 30-40g. A full or empty bladder can add another 10g.

Ideally you always weigh either before or after a dinner. I prefer to weigh any piggy I have concerns about and that I am weighing daily first thing in the morning when their weight is at its lowest. that is also giving me a better insight on how much they are still eating on their own.

You feel the BMI (we call it 'heft') around the ribcage. This works for any age and body size. Please keep in mind that babies and old piggies are often a bit bonier and that adults at the peak of their lives are at their fattest.
You can read up on all of this in more detail in our comprehensive weight guide. You will find it very informative but also interesting and helpful with its practical tips. Here is the link: Weight - Monitoring and Management
 
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