weighing guinea pigs?

[willowfaery]

I read something about weighing guinea pigs daily. I know nothing about this. Is this a must? If so, what kind of scale do I use? Why is this done? What is the RIGHT weight? Again, I know nothing about this, so any details are appreciated.

[PrincessAngel]

I believe it is weigh your pig weekly. You can use a digital kitchen scale for best results. It's just to see a gain or loss in weight.There is no "right" weight since all pigs are different. I wouldn't expect my 5 year old little pig to weigh as much as her cage mate who is much bigger.

[Jenni_Feathers]

Its reccomended to weight your pigs because weight loss is ushally the first sign of illness. I use a shipping scale to weigh my pigs. Also there is no right weight for a Guinea Pig they are all different, the avg. is between 2-3 ibs I believe.

[pigsforlife]

You only weigh daily if the pig is sick. Otherwise once a week is fine. This is because guinea pigs are very good at hiding illnesses, and so often the first and sometimes only sign of illness is weight loss. Draw up a table on excel/word/other program and record their weights.

There is no right weight. Each pig is different. Lily, who is about 11 months old weighs a tiny 860g compared to Rosie, who is 6 months old and weighs 1006g. My biggest is Toffee who weighs in at 1030gs and is 9 months old, and Buttercup who is 1 in 6 days is about the same weight as Rosie. I dont think Buttercup and Lily will get much bigger, but Rosie and Toffee havent finished growing yet!

Remember to weigh at the same time (afternoon, morning, night etc) each week. Guinea Lynx :: Weigh Weekly!

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Use a digital kitchen scale Guinea Lynx :: Weigh Weekly!

[TX_2_Pigs]

I have 2 brothers who just turned 2 years old. Chopper averages 1200 grams and Harry averages 800 grams. I don't know why Harry is so much smaller but he sure makes up for it in attitude. He is the one who does the most chasing, butt-sniffing, and mounting. Of the other 2 boys I have, Mr. Wiggles just passed 1100 grams and Dodger is alway within a couple of grams of Chopper.

Weight loss is usually the first sign of illness so by weighing weekly and finding a significant weight loss, you can know to get your pig to the vet before it gets more serious.

[QuackXP]

I got one of these from K-Mart. Also a overturned medium size pigloo fits perfectly.

Essential Home Kitchen Scale - Model 84719511 at Kmart.com