Weights

[Fur & Feathers]

Hi, We adopted our rescue guineas just over a week ago. Weighed them last week and again today. I have found most of their weights have gone down slightly. So my question is, what is a concerning amount of weight loss?

When we got them they were all big, chunky piggies and don't feel any thinner/lighter to hold. They have moved into a much bigger enclosure then in the rescue and their previous home, so is it possible they have lost weight due to exercising more/ having more space to run around?

I'll attach a photo of my weight book, showing their weights and how much they've gone down or up by. (Kylie, Craig, Disney & Effie are the rabbits so ignore those!)

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, We adopted our rescue guineas just over a week ago. Weighed them last week and again today. I have found most of their weights have gone down slightly. So my question is, what is a concerning amount of weight loss?

When we got them they were all big, chunky piggies and don't feel any thinner/lighter to hold. They have moved into a much bigger enclosure then in the rescue and their previous home, so is it possible they have lost weight due to exercising more/ having more space to run around?

I'll attach a photo of my weight book, showing their weights and how much they've gone down or up by. (Kylie, Craig, Disney & Effie are the rabbits so ignore those!) View attachment 202949

Hi

We talk about weight loss only from 50g onward as the difference between an empty and a full bladder is 10g and the difference between a full and an empty belly is about 30-40g so there is a natural variation in weights over the course of a day (usually a plus/minus 30g swing).

You can find more practical and helpful information on weight monitoring in our comprehensive Weight guide. Here is the link: Weight - Monitoring and Management
The only piggy I would recommend to keep a closer eye on is Fenisha. If any weight loss trends in several piggies continue, please see a vet and check whether there are environmental influences at play if several piggies are affected at once but there are no visible symptoms if illness.

How are your piggies housed? Indoors/outdoors (hutch or shed)?

 

[Fur & Feathers]

Hi

We talk about weight loss only from 50g onward as the difference between an empty and a full bladder is 10g and the difference between a full and an empty belly is about 30-40g so there is a natural variation in weights over the course of a day (usually a plus/minus 30g swing).

You can find more practical and helpful information on weight monitoring in our comprehensive Weight guide. Here is the link: Weight - Monitoring and Management
The only piggy I would recommend to keep a closer eye on is Fenisha. If any weight loss trends in several piggies continue, please see a vet and check whether there are environmental influences at play if several piggies are affected at once but there are no visible symptoms if illness.

How are your piggies housed? Indoors/outdoors (hutch or shed)?

Thank you, that's really helpful. x

Outdoors, in an 8ft x 8ft avairy with a large hutch inside. x

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, that's really helpful. x

Outdoors, in an 8ft x 8ft avairy with a large hutch inside. x

Then please be aware that we have been recently experiencing quite a few weight swings between warm days and the occasionally still cold nights.

Please also make preparations and plans for any heat waves/spikes over the summer. Guinea pigs have not the most efficient body cooling system since they have evolved living in dense underground that is relatively well insulated. Hutches can quickly become death traps; we've seen that first-hand during the recent record summers.
Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike

 

[Fur & Feathers]

 

[Fur & Feathers]

Weights have dropped again
Feeling pretty devastated about it tbh. They get tons of hay, veggies and pellets. Not sure why weights are dropping.
Could it be from moving outside? (they previously lived indoors) Not enough food? Or is it likely to be something health related.

 

[Siikibam]

It may be the move outdoors. When did they move outdoors and when did the weight loss start?

I’m sorry I can’t figure out how much they’ve each lost. But I would say if it’s 50g+ then have them checked out by the vet. Just to eliminate anything medical. You could just have them all checked over if you wish.

Have you changed the type of hay that you give them? Weight is influenced by hay. Veggies and pellets are too small a part of their diet to have an effect on it.

Hope they start picking up soon.

 

[Piggies&buns]

A move to outdoors would potentially cause it, particularly if they weren’t introduced to outside living gradually (night times are still potentially too cold in some areas for indoor piggies to be left outside)

Make sure you feed unlimited hay, one cup of veg and one tablespoon of nuggets - just to be sure you aren’t overfeeding on veg or pellets and subsequently they’re dropping hay intake.

If a piggy is losing 50g or more in one go, then you need to switch to daily weight checks, step in with syringe feeding and add a vet. A sustained continual downward trend but over a longer period of time also requires the same action once it gets to 100g of weight loss

Weight - Monitoring and Management

 

[Wiebke]

Weights have dropped again
Feeling pretty devastated about it tbh. They get tons of hay, veggies and pellets. Not sure why weights are dropping.
Could it be from moving outside? (they previously lived indoors) Not enough food? Or is it likely to be something health related.

Hi
It is most likely from moving outside and the more changeable conditions. Also check whether you have predators like foxes, rats, cats or mice that could be a problem.