My guinea pig has a pear shaped body, is that a problem?

[Daniel and his loved guinea pigs]

I have noticed that one of my guinea pigs is starting to get a more pear-shaped body and I naturally start to worry if it is harmful or not.

She is almost 4 years old at this point but has kept herself in good shape and still runs around normally, I’m just genuinely worried that it isn’t really great for her. I’ve read several threads stating that some guinea pigs just naturally tend to get this rounder rear end, especially the females, but at the same time they also have an incredible talent of hiding pain and discomfort and it might as well be an infection or a bloat, I got no clue.

Therefore I’m just on the search for someone who knows a bit more about this subject than myself and might be able to tell me what I can do to help her out or if she is doing completely fine.

 

[Freela]

A lot of guinea pigs are quite naturally pear-shaped. As long as her sides are squishy and not firm, I would think it's just her shape. If she is firm-feeling one one or both sides, it may be worth getting her checked for ovarian cysts or bloat (we had a piggie with an ovarian cyst who was more rounded on one side of her belly because of the cyst.) But if both sides feel normally squishy and she's asking normal, I wouldn't worry too much about it!

 

[Roselina]

Do you weigh her weekly ? That would give you an idea if she’s putting on weight hence the roundness
I have a boar Geoff who has always been pear shaped and stayed the same weight
Geoff is the Ginger one and actually looking at Freddy ( the skinny pig) he’s also a bit pear shaped
I think it’s worth getting your piggy checked …just in case and as you’ve noticed a change

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

 

[Truffolo]

Welcome to the forum

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

Sows develop their pear-shaped bum from about 8 months onwards; it is breed and weight dependent. Any changes in adulthood and old age are usually weight/health related.

Please check around the ribs for the BMI for potential weight loss while the belly is staying the same in addition to feeling for any signs of bloating or lumps/ovarian cysts. Your girl is just coming off the peak of her life but is not an old lady yet.
Please switch from weighing once weekly on your kitchen scales to weighing daily first thing in the morning for best day to day comparison. Hay is making over three quarters of the daily food intake, which you cannot control by eye. If there is a significant weight loss/signs of underweight, then please step in with feeding support immediately.

If you have any concerns, please see a vet. With any acute bloating and/or weight loss, please contact your vet first thing tomorrow morning.

Here is more practical advice and in-depth information, which you will hopefully find very helpful:

- Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support
- How to Improvise Feeding Support in an Emergency

- Wiebke's Guide to Tummy Trouble
- Sow Problems 'Down Below' (Ovarian Cysts, Super-seasons, Womb Infection, Pregnancy & Mammary Tumours)

Wishing you all the best.

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum