Weight of average guinea pig

The weight of your guinea pig is one of the most significant tests of its health and quality of life. Even so, it is essential that you observe and track the weight of your pets throughout time, to see if they're naturally developing, and so that you can detect any odd changes early and respond quickly. The below guide explains what, at different ages, is considered an 'average' guinea pig weight and also explains how to calculate it.

You may expect your guinea pigs to weigh anywhere from 60 to 120 grams when they are raised. While it is a broad variance, it is entirely normal and depends on a variety of variables-different breeds appear to weigh different quantities, and lighter pups will normally be born by a larger litter. Perhaps the best measure is the comparative weights of the babies. For instance, if your guinea pig gave birth to 4 pups, including 3 measuring around 100 grams and the other weighed just 60 grams, it is likely advisable to track this pup more closely.

You must be able to see their weight and size increasing steadily and regularly as your guinea pigs mature and grow. To begin with, this will take place very rapidly, at a rate of about 30-50 grams per week. This weight gain will start to decrease when they reach maturity, and finally, end at somewhere about 12 to 14 months of age. You will note that males gain more weight during this period than females. This is totally normal and is not a matter of concern. A female (sow) would usually weigh around 20-25 percent bit less than a male (boar) as a general guideline.

The cavies should plateau at weights of about 900-1,200 grams for a male and 700-900 grams for a female once they achieve full adulthood. Again, this relies on variables such as race, and whether your pets are marginally higher or lower this, it is not a reason for worry. As always, though, you can consult a veterinarian as quickly as possible if you are in any uncertainty.

To weigh your guinea pig, you don't need any specialized equipment-an accurate collection of kitchen scales is more than adequate enough for the task. Simply put it on the scales to weigh your animal, wait for it to calm down and remain still, and then note the data. If your pet fidgets and runs around a lot, putting them in a bowl or tin during the weighing may also be a good idea-just remember to deduct the weight of the bowl, or you may get a false reading.

It is absolutely important to control your guinea pigs' weight. Guinea pigs have a very good sense of self-preservation, and part of this means disguising for as long as possible any vulnerabilities (including diseases). Because of this, whether it really needs medical care, it is very normal for a cavy to look completely healthy. Some abrupt shifts or prolonged drop in your pet's weight is a great sign that something is wrong, and so it is prudent to get into the routine of weekly checking and to record the weight of your animals.

Keep track of the weight of your caviar in a notebook or on your device. A spreadsheet is perfect since it also allows a graph to be plotted, which is an even better way to spot shifts and patterns in weight. You can act quickly and take your pet to the veterinarian to have it thoroughly checked if you find anything suspicious. Be sure to also take your weight history with you, as this will provide the veterinarian with valuable data to help make a diagnosis.

You can raise the tracking frequency from weekly to daily if the pet does feel unwell. This will allow us to keep an eye on any changes in the brief period and help you to track the recovery of your guinea pig.