Imagine how cute these little fellows are! However, the size of a newborn depends on a variety of factors. Mainly, on the number of pups in the litter. Guinea pigs can give birth to cavies at a time. In the majority of cases, three babies are born. Of course, the more pups there are, the smaller they usually are. Guinea pigs grow until they are around 14 months old. Till this age, they grow very fast!
During the first eight weeks, for example, the guinea pig will double in size. So, in about 2 months your guinea pig will be inches long cm. After the first weeks have passed, the cavy will slow down a bit with the growth, but still reach around inches cm in another eight weeks.
The cavy might continue to grow just a tiny bit, but usually guinea pigs are fully grown once they reach this particular age. The size of a lot of animals depends on their breed. Dogs, for example, can be huge or, sometimes, as tiny as a guinea pig but when it comes to cavies, does the size of their bodies depend on the breed or not? However, there is a guinea pig breed that can grow a little bit bigger! The Rex guinea pig breed can grow up to…17 inches 43 cm! It is often difficult to find homes with caring and responsible pet owners for young guinea pigs.
Breeding often reduces the lifespan of female guinea pigs. Breeding a female guinea pig for the first time after she reaches 8 months of age can be very dangerous because of the normal stiffening of the pubic symphysis a joint of tough fibrous cartilage between the 2 pubic bones of the pelvis that occurs when the female reaches adulthood.
Sows that reach adulthood without a prior pregnancy may not be able to deliver their young normally. Cesarean sections are rarely successful in guinea pigs even when performed by a veterinarian who has experience with guinea pigs.
Spaying or neutering of pet guinea pigs can be done by a veterinarian experienced in dealing with small animals, but the surgery can be expensive and does carry risks. Neutering a male is generally easier than spaying a female.
However, guinea pigs often do not react well to surgery, anesthesia, or being kept in unfamiliar surroundings. The safest, easiest, and least expensive way to prevent breeding is to house male and female guinea pigs separately. If you do decide to have your guinea pig spayed or neutered, seek out a veterinarian who has successfully done a large number of these surgeries. After the surgery, keep your pet quiet and separated from other guinea pigs while recovering. A small, clean cage with towels for bedding works well.
The towels should be changed at least twice a day. The length of a cavy is measured from the nose to the rear, and boars will often grow to be slightly longer than sows, at inches and inches respectively. The average male will weigh between However, it important to bear in mind that there can be significant variation between different breeds of guinea pig.
Although the majority of breeds are similar in size and fall within the ranges above, some breeds are much larger or smaller than this average. A guinea pig is not considered to be an adult until 6 months of age, but they are not necessarily fully grown at this point. Most guinea pigs will continue to grow until they are about 14 months old and as they get closer and closer to this age, their growth rate slows until eventually they are not growing a significant amount anymore.
Size can be a good estimation of age in the absence of anything else. Using the guidelines below, you may be able to make a rough estimate of your guinea pigs age, but this is easier to do while the cavy is still young.
As mentioned, growth plateaus after full maturity so other factors such as general condition and health may be a better indicator for age.
Once guinea pigs reach full maturity at 14 months of age, they generally stay around the same size for most of their adult life. They can continue to grow a little bit past this, but not by a significant amount. Its good to have a rough idea of how much a guinea pig will weigh at different stages of their development, as this will allow you to ensure they are healthy and stay on track as they mature.
At this point most guinea pigs will be almost the same length as their final adult size, but they will still gradually increase in weight until they are fully mature. There will always be some variation in size between guinea pigs of the same breed, due to several factors including genetics, nutrition and amount of physical activity. Guinea pigs can also eat a variety of fruits and veggies, though you should be careful in choosing the correct options for your guinea pig. Treats should be fed sparingly if at all, as guinea pigs are very small.
When judging the growth of your guinea pig, you should focus mostly on the weight — especially if you have a younger animal. Measuring a guinea pig can be a bit difficult. The animal will likely not stay still for an extended amount of time, which can make measuring difficult.
The easiest thing to do is use a kitchen scale, distracting your guinea pig with a treat or affection. Put a paper towel in the bottom of the scale to give your guinea pig some extra grip, which may help them feel a bit safer. Guinea pigs all grow at about the same rate , though it can vary based on the breed. In general, males will grow faster than females and end up a few hundred grams larger.
In most breeds, females and males are rarely the same size. While diet can affect the growth rate, all guinea pigs given the appropriate diet should grow at the correct rate. Most guinea pigs will keep growing for at least 14 months. However, their growth slows down substantially at 14 weeks, which you can generally guess their adult size.
Kristin is passionate about helping pet parents create a fulfilling life with their pets by informing them on the latest scientific research and helping them choose the best products for their pets. She currently resides in Tennessee with four dogs, three cats, two fish, and a lizard, though she has dreams of owning chickens one-day!
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