Guinea pig size tin can vary based on factors such every bit historic period, gender, breed, and nutrition. On boilerplate, most guinea pigs will fall within the same standard size and weight range. Baby guinea pigs start small, but they abound at an incredible speed. Throughout this article, I'll comprehend baby republic of guinea grunter sizes and growth rates, likewise as the factors that bear upon a guinea squealer'south full-grown adult size.

Average Size and Weight of a Full Grown Guinea Squealer

Guinea pigs are i of the largest pet rodents. Their size exceeds other common pets like rats, mice, gerbils, and hamsters by a landslide. On average, guinea pigs grow to a length of 8-12″ (20-30cm) and weigh between 700-1200 grams (ane.5 to ii.6 lbs). Males are often up to 25% bigger than females. Some guinea pigs tin can reach up to 3lbs, but this may indicate that they are a bit overweight. Republic of guinea pigs ordinarily stand effectually 4-5″ high at the shoulders.

Male vs Female Size

Every bit with many species, male republic of guinea pigs are by and large slightly larger than females. However, their size can overlap in many cases. Males tend to abound to the mid to upper range of boilerplate sizes, while females oftentimes reach the lower to mid-size estimates. Full-grown females usually grow to 8-10 inches and weigh anywhere from one.5 to 2.5 lbs at maturity. On the other manus, Males typically exceed 2 lbs and can grow anywhere from eight inches up to 12 inches long.

Some people effort to sex activity guinea pigs by size alone. This is a very bad idea! While some males abound larger, females can grow to the aforementioned size or even bigger than most males. I've had multiple girls who have grown larger than many males. Size is never a reliable indication of gender.

Bodily Guinea Sus scrofa Weights

To provide a more than realistic moving-picture show, I created a listing of several of my republic of guinea pigs, past and present, and their average weights. I likewise listed breed and gender. As you can meet, male vs. female weight is non always black and white.

My Abyssinians were the lightest, simply this does not mean they were smaller in advent. Abyssinians are typically the most active guinea pigs, so this helps keep their weight downward. Most of the American piggies could stand to lose a couple of ounces, but they sure are stubborn most it. Such is life with guinea pigs. πŸ˜…

Ace – Male Abyssinian – 2lbs 4oz (1020 grams)

Ceico – Male American – 2lbs 6oz (1077 grams)

TJ – Male person American – 2lbs 10 oz (1190 grams)

Willow – Female person American – 2lbs 5 oz (1049 grams)

Daisy – Female person American – 2lbs v oz (1049 grams)

Peach – Female Peruvian Cantankerous – 2lbs 8 oz (1134 grams)

Poppy – Female Abyssinian – 2lbs 1 oz (935 grams)

Size Difference Between Breeds

Most breeds will fall into the average size ranges of 8-12 inches and 700-1200 grams. Nonetheless, some may be more likely to hit the smaller stop of the average, while other breeds typically grow to the larger cease of the spectrum.

American and Texel guinea pigs can sometimes exist on the smaller side as a whole.

Peruvian and Male monarch guinea pigs often grow to the larger end of the spectrum. Peruvians look fifty-fifty larger than they are considering of all their pilus.

Rex republic of guinea pigs have even been known to grow up to 17 inches long! They exercise not e'er grow to this size, merely they tend to be on the upper end of average republic of guinea pig sizes.

King guinea pig.

Proceed in heed that individuals of every breed can vary quite a fleck. For example, my biggest guinea pig correct now is a male American, despite them existence a "smaller" breed. Getting a particular breed of a guinea grunter is no guarantee that your guinea pig is going to turn out large or small.

Tin Guinea Pigs Be Pocket-sized?

On occasion, y'all'll find individuals who grow a flake smaller than boilerplate. This is due to genetics and sometimes lack of diet they received while growing. Sometimes, there is a slight divergence in size between breeds, merely most will all the same fall into the average size range. There is no such thing as "dwarf" or "miniature" guinea pigs equally a brood.

What is the Largest Guinea Pig Brood?

Cuy guinea pigs in Peru.

Cuys are the largest guinea squealer. These monster guinea pigs can grow between 4 and 8 pounds!

In addition to their monstrous size, cuys tin exist identified by their smoothen coat, orange and white coloring, and farthermost skittishness. Cuys were originally bred in Peru as a nutrient source.

Some fabricated their manner into America to be sold as pets. Yet, Cuys do not make very good pets at all.

Since they are bred to grow to unnatural sizes, their weight puts a lot of pressure on their organs. They frequently die of organ failure or other health problems before they achieve 4 years old.

In addition, they are frantically skittish and very hard to tame. They are also harder to handle considering of their nervousness and jumbo size.

Largest Rodent in the World

Did you know that republic of guinea pigs besides have a much larger cousin in the cavy family?

Capybaras are ofttimes referred to as "giant guinea pigs" considering they kind of look like enormous guinea pigs.

Although they are not guinea pigs, they come up from the same family unit of South American rodents, called the Caviidae.

Capybaras frequently grow to 4 feet long, and they tin weigh more 100 pounds!

Capybaras closely resemble behemothic grumpy-looking guinea pigs.

What is a Good for you Size for a Guinea Sus scrofa?

A healthy average weight for guinea pigs is in the range of 700-1200 grams. However, republic of guinea pigs are individuals, and it'southward hard to judge by weight average alone.

To make up one's mind if your guinea pig is a healthy weight, look at them from above and judge their body shape. You should also practice a hands-on test to feel for their ribs, hips, and spine. You should be able to feel the hips and spine of a good for you guinea pig, but not the private ribs. When looked at from a birds-eye view, the chest should be narrower than the hind end. Cheque out the republic of guinea pig size-o-meter here for more data on judging your guinea pig's body condition.

If they take no discernable shape and have anxiety hidden from view, it may exist fourth dimension to modify their diet and exercise regimen. Make certain your republic of guinea sus scrofa is getting no more than 1/viii cup of pellets per twenty-four hour period. Y'all tin besides cut down veggies to nearly one-half a cup per day. Brand sure you choose high Vitamin C veggies, so your piggy doesn't become deficient in this essential nutrient.

Practise is besides essential for overweight guinea pigs. Endeavour to provide floor time as much as you lot can. Encourage your guinea pigs to exercise more in their cage. You tin do this by hiding treats around the enclosure or putting their ration of pellets in a treat ball to roll effectually.

Is Your Guinea Grunter Significant?

If you have a guinea pig with a discernable lump effectually her abdomen surface area, you may want to consider if there's a possibility of pregnancy.

If you but got your republic of guinea pigs, this is a possibility. Often previous owners or pet stores can sex guinea pigs incorrectly. If y'all have two guinea pigs, double-check their genders to exist certain they're the same.

If you're unsure, take them to a vet to check, or inquire in guinea sus scrofa Facebook groups if you're unable to accept them to a vet. Big bellies are non e'er an indication of pregnancy, however. Sometimes guinea pigs are but chunky and need to keep a diet and be more active.

Guinea Pig Size Compared to Hamsters

Many people misfile guinea pigs and hamsters, merely these 2 animals couldn't exist more than different! One of the main differences is their size. While guinea pigs generally grow 8-12 inches in length and weigh 700-1200 grams, the largest hamsters will just grow to about half dozen inches long and 120 grams in weight. Baby republic of guinea pigs are a comparable size to hamsters, simply republic of guinea pigs will outgrow this size very speedily.

How to Measure Your Guinea Pig

You can measure your republic of guinea pig by placing them on a flat surface beside a ruler or measuring tape. Get an gauge measurement from the tip of their nose to their rear. Information technology often helps to give your piggy some veggies to munch on while y'all're measuring. Most guinea pigs don't like to sit still for as well long without a food distraction.

Weighing Your Guinea Hog

It is an excellent thought to weigh your republic of guinea pigs every week. Weight loss is oftentimes the showtime sign of a health trouble. Sometimes it's besides the only sign of illness you will see until a condition worsens. Since guinea pigs are prey animals, they volition often hide their sickness until they become much more difficult to cure.

How to Counterbalance Your Republic of guinea Pig

You can weigh your republic of guinea pig using any digital kitchen calibration. It'south best to choose one that measures in different units, such as grams, pounds, and ounces. Information technology's as well a good idea to choose i with ample surface space so the guinea pig tin sit on it comfortably.

I usually give my piggies some veggies to go on them still on the scale. If your republic of guinea grunter isn't interested in this, you can always place a large basin or basket on the scale and put your republic of guinea pigs in that. Merely retrieve to subtract the weight of the basin from the total weight adding.

How Much Weight Loss is Normal?

At what point should you lot be concerned well-nigh weight loss? Pocket-sized fluctuations are perfectly normal, but information technology's crucial to write down the results of your weekly weigh-ins and look for patterns. The post-obit guidelines volition tell you when it's normal and when you should seek veterinary communication. This is based on a weekly weighing schedule.

Upwards to 25 grams less than the previous weigh-in: Completely normal weight fluctuations

25-60 grams less: Keep an eye on your guinea pig's weight, and weigh them more oft

threescore-100 grams less: Keep a very shut eye on your piggy and phone call your vet to prepare up an date. Weigh daily, and look for accompanying symptoms that may exist cropping up as well.

100+ grams less: This much weight loss over a week is a sign of an urgent trouble. Get to your vet right away.

Common causes for weight loss include infections, dehydration, dental issues, improper diet, scurvy, stress, and and then many more.

Weight Gain

Regular weighing is too helpful to betoken when your republic of guinea grunter is starting to pack on some unnecessary weight. If your guinea pig is full-grown, and their weight is increasing steadily, you should probably make some changes.

Weight gain can be acquired by feeding incorrect foods, too much food, or a lack of exercise. Republic of guinea pigs are incredibly prone to obesity, so keeping them at a healthy weight tin be a challenge. Be sure y'all're feeding pellets that do not contain any colored pieces, nuts, or seeds. These are extremely fattening for republic of guinea pigs. Also, avoid virtually shop-bought treats, and limit fruit to minimal amounts.

Feed no more than 1/8 cup of pellets per mean solar day. If your guinea sus scrofa is mesomorphic, yous can cutting this downwardly even further. Also, feed a loving cup of veggies max each 24-hour interval. Provide a large cage and plenty of flooring time to let your guinea pig run around.

Weight proceeds can contribute to heart disease, diabetes, joint and mobility problems, high claret pressure level, and countless others. It can besides weaken the immune system and make it harder for your guinea grunter to fight off diseases if they exercise get ill. Keeping your piggy at a healthy weight has many benefits and can even aid your republic of guinea pig live longer.

Guinea Pig Size by Age

Infant republic of guinea pigs grow quickly during the showtime four months and then go on to fill up out and grow slightly in the months following that phase. Below I'll go into more detail about when and how much you lot can look guinea pigs to grow past each age checkpoint.

Newborn Guinea Pigs

Newborn baby republic of guinea pigs with mom.

Newborn baby guinea pigs range from 3-iv″ (viii-10cm) long at nativity and weigh betwixt 60 and 120 grams, with an average of 80 ounces. Infant guinea pigs are fully furred and tin can fit in the palm of your manus.

The size at birth depends mainly on the litter size. Guinea grunter litters can outcome in anywhere from 1-6 pups, with 3 beingness the boilerplate number in a litter.

Smaller litters tend to have larger babies, and larger litters naturally effect in smaller pups. This is because there's less room for the babies to grow inside their mom.

This does not generally bear on a guinea pig'south adult size, however. Given proper care and diet, they will catch upwardly in size quickly and abound to an average developed size.

Birth to viii Weeks

From nativity, baby guinea pigs volition gain 30-fifty grams per week until they hitting eight weeks old. They grow incredibly fast at this stage, unremarkably doubling in size between birth and 8 weeks. By ii months old, baby guinea pigs are generally about 6-eight″ long and weigh approximately 180-240 grams.

sixteen Weeks

From 8 to 16 weeks sometime, guinea pigs are still in the center of a rapid growth spurt. Withal, it slows downward a chip compared to the kickoff 8 weeks of life. By xvi weeks sometime, young guinea pigs will be close to their adult length. By this historic period, baby guinea pigs are typically around eight-10 inches in length and counterbalance between 360 and 480 grams.

half dozen Months Former

Past 6 months, guinea pigs are finished the majority of their growing. They may grow slightly bigger, but only marginally. They volition, however, continue to make full out and gain weight over the side by side several months. By half dozen months, they should motion to adult nutrient and grass hays, such as orchard or timothy hay. Avoid alfalfa hay with republic of guinea pigs older than 6 months.

1 Twelvemonth Old

Betwixt 12 and 14 months, guinea pigs are completely done growing and have reached their adult weight. For most guinea pigs, this is anywhere from 700-1200 grams. At this point, republic of guinea pigs are both physically and mentally mature.

Y'all may notice their personality change past this bespeak equally well. Guinea pigs tend to chill out a lot by this historic period. They will popcorn and run zoomies less often than they did every bit babies.

From this point onwards, it's even more than of import to continue an centre on your guinea hog's weight. Guinea pigs are prone to obesity and gain weight very easily in one case they hitting maturity.

Proper Nutrition for Growing Guinea Pigs

Baby guinea pigs that are in the midst of a fast-growth spurt demand extra calcium and other nutrients. They need most of these nutrients in the first 4-6 months of their life. Republic of guinea pigs that don't receive enough nutrients from their nutrition during this fourth dimension tin suffer deficiencies and stunted growth.

From four weeks old up to 16 weeks, infant republic of guinea pigs volition exist weaned off their mom's milk and amid the most significant growth spurt of their lives. During this period, information technology'southward essential to provide them with plenty of calcium-rich foods.

One fashion you can practice this is by providing them with pellet nutrient formulated for young guinea pigs. Alfalfa hay is college in calcium than regular grass hay, so this is also suitable to feed.

Withal, if you are housing your baby guinea pig with adults, you practice not desire to feed either of these. High calcium can cause bladder stones in full-grown guinea pigs. This is a severe, painful condition that requires surgery and tin be life-threatening.

Another mode to provide calcium is to feed the babe some high calcium veggies separate from the other guinea pigs. Check out this article on 21 high calcium veggies to feed your republic of guinea pig for some ideas.

Young guinea pigs will need calcium up until they turn 6 months old. They crave less between the ages of 4-vi months, as virtually of their growth occurs by the four-month mark. Once guinea pigs turn vi months sometime, they no longer need extra calcium in their nutrition. They should too accept access to unlimited grass hay, such as timothy or orchard grass hay.

Guinea pigs of all ages need Vitamin C in their nutrition, and growing babies often need more of this essential food. Unlike calcium, guinea pigs cannot overdose on Vitamin C. The best way to provide Vitamin C is to feed bell peppers daily. You tin also supplement with Oxbow's Vitamin C tabs.

What Tin Cause Stunted Growth in Guinea Pigs?

A few factors can impact your baby guinea pig'due south growth rate. Health and nutrition are a couple of large ones. If babies don't receive enough nutrients while growing, this tin can crusade their growth charge per unit to dull down. If they are deficient for a length of fourth dimension, this can cause them to exist significantly stunted.

To prevent this, make sure your young guinea pig is eating enough of hay, high-quality pellet food, and a variety of fresh vegetables. Calcium and Vitamin C are two of the most essential nutrients for growing guinea pigs.

Affliction can as well impact growth. If a baby guinea hog gets sick, the body puts more energy into healing and getting healthy once more. This tin can cause a temporary or permanent stunt in growth depending on the length and severity of the illness.

To subtract the chances of your infant guinea pig getting sick, provide a proper nutrition and a large, clean cage. Make sure they're located in a well-ventilated space gratis of drafts. Avoid using harsh chemicals or cleaning sprays nigh your guinea sus scrofa'south cage.

Genetics tin can also crusade republic of guinea pigs to grow smaller or larger than usual. You can generally become a good idea of your baby guinea pig's hereafter size by looking at their parents.

In Decision

Guinea sus scrofa sizes tin vary, but most guinea pigs will fall inside the average range of 8-12″ long and 700-1200 grams in weight when fully grown. Although baby guinea pigs may start out being the size of a hamster, they volition grow rapidly. Most republic of guinea pigs approach their adult length past simply xvi weeks sometime.

Guinea pigs are very large compared to other pet rodents, and they have a much longer lifespan. Some can even rival large breed dogs with lifespans into the double digits! To larn more about how long republic of guinea pigs alive, check out this article on republic of guinea pig lifespan.