How old is my guinea pig??

Question

I have a sow, and she is 600g, not overweight. I bought her from a petshop ( i didnt want to get her from a petshop, but really, what is the difference??Most people are against pet shops but anyone can buy a piggy from anyone, its really no different if its in a shop or not, people can lie very easily about what kind of home they have for a piggy wether their in a shop or not!) and if they were right about her age, she is 4 months, but isnt 600g a bit much for 4 months??

shes not overweight though.

Answer 1

you should go to a vet and ask them how old they are you never know they can help you allot with the pets

Answer 2

600g is an ideal weight for a 4 month old guinea.

The rules at guinea shows in the UK say the suggested maximum (it is actually up to the judges discretion as breeds vary a little in size) of 30 ounces or 850g for a guinea shown in the “Under 5 Months” class. This is a top limit to stop people showing guineas that are not genuinely under five months! Therefore 600g is about right – your piggy is doing fine.

Can I explain that people will get upset about you buying form a pet shop as we do not know what sort of pet shop your guinea was from.

In UK we have two types of pet store; the large ‘chain’ stores (Pets at Home etc) and small pet shops owned as a family business.  The large stores buy their animals from big suppliers who churn out large numbers of cross bred stock in questionable conditions just to supply the trade.

The smaller pet shops buy from local breeders. These local breeders are usually breeding for show quality animals and the ones that they sell to the pet shop are usually those which have a very minor fault (such as a fold in the ear or incorrect markings) which makes them unsuitable for showing. They are usually healthy and well cared for as the show breeder is breeding guineas for themselves, not for profit.  Unfortunately some people do not understand the difference and will have a rant at you anyway and tell you that you must take on someone elses unwanted weedy pet.

Answer 3

There is a big difference. Pet stores buy from breeding mills and backyard breeders. You support this http://www.cavyspirit.com/petstores.htm

http://www.cavyspirit.com/hollister_resc...

when you buy from them.

Meanwhile there are plenty of homeless guinea pigs that need adopting, many of them get euthanized by shelters since no one adopts them and buys pet store pigs instead.

Pet stores usually cannot tell you their age or guarantee gender. But sounds like she is 6-7 months old.