We got our two female piggies July 21 and do not really know their history, so I have no idea if they were with males before we got them or not. I didn't get a scale until Aug 7, so I don't know their weights the first couple of weeks. In the three weeks I have been weighing them, Hermione has gained 64g (2.26oz) - 53g were gained in just the last 5 days - and Ginny has gained 77g (2.72oz) - she's gained 50g in the past 10 days alone. Both of their bellies seem "fat" but we don't feel anything in there...no lumps or movement.
I know weights can vary a lot, but does this seem a normal amount of weight gain for a relatively young guinea pig (we were told they are "less than a year" old but don't know an actual age)? Or does this seem excessive and indicative of pregnancy?
I will add that I had stopped their veggies for a couple of days then limited veggies for several days in the past week because they have been having very soft/squishy poop (not diarrhea, formed but very soft). The poop has gotten slightly better, and as of yesterday I am giving them more veggies again. But in the past week, even with less veggies, they have both gained more weight than either had gained in between previous weigh-ins. They are getting Oxbow Cavy Cuisine and unlimited bluegrass hay.
If they are pregnant, they would be at least 5 1/2 weeks along since that's how long we've had them. Would a vet be able to easily tell at this point or should we wait a bit before taking them in? I'm wondering if I need to be giving them alfalfa pellets instead of the timothy pellets right now - I'll have to order some online if I should be using them.
I know weights can vary a lot, but does this seem a normal amount of weight gain for a relatively young guinea pig (we were told they are "less than a year" old but don't know an actual age)? Or does this seem excessive and indicative of pregnancy?
I will add that I had stopped their veggies for a couple of days then limited veggies for several days in the past week because they have been having very soft/squishy poop (not diarrhea, formed but very soft). The poop has gotten slightly better, and as of yesterday I am giving them more veggies again. But in the past week, even with less veggies, they have both gained more weight than either had gained in between previous weigh-ins. They are getting Oxbow Cavy Cuisine and unlimited bluegrass hay.
If they are pregnant, they would be at least 5 1/2 weeks along since that's how long we've had them. Would a vet be able to easily tell at this point or should we wait a bit before taking them in? I'm wondering if I need to be giving them alfalfa pellets instead of the timothy pellets right now - I'll have to order some online if I should be using them.