Signs of an Obese Guinea Pig

The fluffy hair of a guinea pig makes it naturally appear chubby. Yet this cute, cuddly creature can have a weight problem. Most male guinea pigs weigh between 1.5 and 2 lbs. Most females weigh slightly less, from 1 lb. to 1.5 lbs. As they are voracious eaters, monitoring the fat content of their food and providing exercise opportunities are essential to maintaining a healthy weight.

  1. Weigh Weekly

    • If you have not already done so, establish a baseline weight for your guinea pig by weighing the animal with an appropriate scale, such as a kitchen scale with a secure base. The scale should have a tray with vertical sides so that the guinea pig comfortably fits in the tray but cannot easily crawl out while being weighed. This type of scale should measure in ounces to provide the greatest accuracy, as gaining even 2 oz. is reason for a guinea pig owner to become concerned. Monitoring the animal's weight gives an accurate measure over time as to whether the rodent is obese.

    Look and Feel

    • Look at your guinea pig from above. His or her body should appear to be shaped like a pear. if the bottom end of the pear is significantly larger than the top, the guinea pig may have a weight problem. The next step in assessing a potential weight problem is to feel for the animal's ribs. In doing so, don't press too hard but do use firm fingers to get through all of that hair to find the ribs. One should be able to locate the rodent's ribs. If not, chances are good the guinea pig is carrying too much weight.

    Lack of Activity

    • Guinea pigs are social creatures that enjoy play. A guinea pig that no longer shows interest in toys or does not run around when taken out of its cage may be too heavy for the activities. When guinea pigs move about, their bellies are lifted high enough above the surface to see their feet move. If one cannot see the guinea pig's feet, this is another red flag that the critter may be carrying too much weight.

    Pregnant

    • As with all females, pregnant guinea pigs gain weight. Many will gain enough weight to double their size. If a female guinea pig begins to show gain at weekly weigh-ins, monitor the situation for the next couple of weeks. The additional ounces being gained could be attributed to a pending birth. By the seventh week of a guinea pig's pregnancy, it is possible to feel fetal movement by snugly placing hands around the animal's body. If she is pregnant, don't be alarmed by weight gain.