But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. Since their gestation lasts just 59-73 days, a female guinea pig is capable in theory of bearing five or even six litters a year. If you have an affectionate male guinea pig, you can introduce the babies when they are in the same cage. She checked each one of them and licked them clean immediately following their birth. Many living creatures eat other members of their species when necessary for survival. Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. Other factors that make eating (or killing) the pups less likely include: piggies are natural herbivores and they have good maternal instincts (for rodents, anyway). Walter or Bob These guinea pigs sound like they should be wearing business suits on Wall Street. And make sure that the guinea pig mother is not present. Baby guinea pigs are much smaller than their parents, so they can escape from the cage. There are, Read More 7 Alarming Reasons Why Guinea Pigs DroolContinue, What fruits can guinea pigs eat? Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? Provide Your Sow with a Stress-Free Environment, Remain Vigilant During the First Twenty Four Hours, Keep The Babies With Their Mom As Much As Possible, Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? Guinea pig babies are actually called pups. If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. (Find Out Now)Continue. It is important to consider the space between the bars of your guinea pig cage. Theyre filled with Vitamin C and other essential nutrients that guinea pigs need. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. You will get a kick out of their eagerness to chase each other around and play, and maybe even start popcorning. A female needs to give birth for the first time before the age of 7 months. Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. Make sure to separate your male guinea pigs from females in their litter too. If she is pregnant, her chances of suffering from some illness will also increase, which will tempt her to eat a lot. So it is not good practice by caring breeders. Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. Their compact, cylindrical bodies range from 8 to 10 inches . However, you should err on the side of caution. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach Or Is It Bad For Them? Hold him against your chest to help him feel secure and safe. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. Do not disturb your guinea pigs when they are sleeping or nursing. The above is important because it allows the mother to continue feeding and grooming her young. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUniverseReflected The all natural Piggies Choice Hay Racks are available finally! The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. (Find Out Now), 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know), Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. Orphans should be fed by an eyedropper or pet nurse within the first 12 to 24 hours of life. By six weeks of age baby guinea pigs are self-sufficient and fully weaned. Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. Its important to remember that guinea pigs are prey animals and they can get intimidated very easily. Mange worms (Trichocross cavia) are a common cause of hair loss, and other symptoms may include excessive scratching, abnormal aggression when being touched, and, in some cases, seizures. Ive wondered it myself. If your guinea pig becomes acquainted with someone they don't trust, they may become quiet or hide when that person is nearby. When separated from their parents, they often experience anxiety and depression. I didnt know how we would handle it if Theo rejected her babies or even worse ate her young! It's often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Pneumonia can occur with torticollis and can be fatal. During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: This was one question that had me really worried. The causes are different for each species. And the result is that guinea pig babies are born already more mature than many other species. In the meantime, the best thing you can do is provide your guinea pig with plenty of love and attention, so it doesnt feel lonely. Can Rabbits Eat Grapes Pros And Cons of Grapes For Rabbits. In a pet situation, the male may be in the same guinea pig cage as the female and her newborns, and there is no way for the mother to move the pups away from . This can happen if the guinea pig is not being fed enough timothy hay, pellets, vitamin C supplements, etc. If youre going to be away for an extended period, you may also want to consider finding a friend or family member to care for your guinea pig in your absence. However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. When you pick them up secure one hand beneath the stomach and one under the bottom and hold close to your chest. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups (as a general rule), so ideally you wouldn't want too many pups born at once. Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. Guinea pig babies can walk, see, and hear, as soon as they are born, and most start nibbling on solid foods within a few days. The male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies is important because he helps keep them warm and protects them from predators. For the first 2-3 weeks , they will rely on their mother for milk. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesn't recognize them as his own offspring. RSPCA Knowledgebase Let Australias most trusted animal welfare charity help you answer the big questions. Merck Veterinary Manual. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. Its just as important that your baby guinea pig also spends most of their time with other guinea pigs. Sows must also have a constant supply of hay (alfalfa for the extra calories) and pellets. In general, the color of Abyssinian guinea pigs is associated with congenital eye defects and digestive problems. Following delivery, your guinea pig mama will be exhausted and hungry. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. 10. Guinea pigs diet rests on grasses, herbs, hay, and raw fruits and vegetables. Keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy is an ongoing process that will require lots of dedication and effort from you. You don't have to be a professional breeder . Be prepared to assess them quickly, because they wont like to be held in that position for long! It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. ClickHEREfor a peek at my disclosure. Paying lots of brief visits to your litter with mother, and getting them used to gentle handling without worrying them are going to be a vital foundation of good socialization. Use the tips in this post to understand why piggies eat their babies and to prevent it from happening. Some guinea pigs are more likely to nuzzle or groom people or other guinea pigs. Most species clean their offspring with their tongue and so do your little friends. In captivity, they cannot run away, which increases the stress. When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. Giving birth is very stressful for guinea pigs and the mortality rate of pregnant guinea pigs is quite high due to complications that occur during the delivery process. Here are some things we had to think about when we found out our guinea pig was pregnant: We adhered to the following recommended feeding guidelines for pregnant guinea pigs: RELATED: CLICK HERE to read about our unexpected guinea pig pregnancy and how to tell if your guinea pig is pregnant. Many time, the pup gets killed accidentally and the mother eats it because she has a survival instinct. Copyright 2021 - 2023 Guinea Pig Den | Jennifer Franklin Media LLCThis site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. At six weeks old baby guineas pigs are fully weaned, and have stopped nursing from their mother. Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. It is important to make sure that the pups begin nursing within the first few hours of birth. Giving birth is very stressful for the guinea pig mother and the babies. Once they are one to two finger-widths apart, it wont be long untilbirth.. Guinea pigs can eat a lot of different types of fruit. Its important to know what signs to look out for so you can keep your piggies happy and healthy. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. Hi there! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Aggression between two newly introduced guinea pigs is very common and If your guinea pig is finding it hard to deal with the change of a new cage mate, try engaging him in more interaction with you than ever before. Now, lets begin at the beginning. Most experts believe that guinea pigs are relatively emotionally resilient creatures and are unlikely to suffer significant emotional distress due to being separated from their young. And all the behaviors theyll need to carry out for themselves instead of having performed for them by mom like grooming will be well established. Why Guinea Pigs Are Less Likely To Eat Their Babies? I thought they would be born helpless and look like baby rats or hamsters with no fur and their eyes closed. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. Explain to them that they have not been replaced or that their babies have replaced your guinea pig. To do this, we learned it is best to wean the males by removing them from their mom and sisters cage at three weeks and moving them to a separate cage. Give the orphaned puppy the same amount of water and evaporated guinea pig milk. We try to conform to the same standards and expectations when it comes to animal interactions and instincts. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? Cute Guinea Pig Names 200 Unique Names To Choose From, Cow Names Over 400 Amazing Names For Your Cattle, Giving your litter the best start begins before your sow is even pregnant make sure she has a clean bill of health from a vet before she is mated, and buy a. (Benefits, Risks, Servings & FAQs), Baytril For Guinea Pigs (Side Effects, Efficacy, Dosage & FAQs), Signs Your Guinea Pig Hates You (Top 7 & And How to Fix It). Guinea pigs are different from many other species; they are born with teeth and fur, and almost immediately they can see and walk around. If you bring home your baby guinea pig at seven weeks old, youll find all the information you need to raise them in our guide to guinea pigs as pets. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. However, some people have asked whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies after they have been separated. Guinea pig babies are called "pups" when they are born and are birthed into litters. 3 hours ago WebBaby Guinea Pig Diet The first week of life is critical. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. During pregnancy your sow will need lots of energy and vitamin C, so make sure her hay doesnt run out, and offer a larger helping of fresh fruit and veg every day. They will understand. Its unwise to create more. Sows sometimes give birth during the night. Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. If you look after the guinea pig mother regularly, she will allow you to touch her baby guinea pigs. Read Also: How Often to Clean Guinea Pig Cage. Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame. Soak guinea pig pellets in water from the first day of life. But, theres some things you can do to help your fur baby return to a comfortable atmosphere, and to prevent this from happening again in the future. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. Here is how to tell if your baby guinea pig is a boy or girl: RELATED: CLICK HERE for more information on how to determine the sex of a guinea pig. On the other hand, a male guinea pig eats guinea pig babies when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. By the time theyre a month old, baby guinea pigs body shape rather resembles that of a syrian hamster. and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? (Fun Facts). Guinea pigs can eat their babies if they lack nutrition. Baby guinea pigs typically stay with their mother for about three weeks, but this can vary depending on the situation. Guinea pig babies are born very quickly. The guinea pig fathers dont play any role in taking care of the litter, and can do more harm than good (sorry piggie dads!). But most people think of it as being around four weeks old, when they reach sexual maturity. Keep in mind that guinea pigs are not the best choice to raise other female guinea pigs babies. In this article weve answered some frequently asked questions about newborn baby guinea pigs like: Whether you have a surprise guinea pig pregnancy or a planned one, there are a few things you will want to prepare in advance to make sure you are ready when your newborn baby guinea pigs arrive. The pups will learn a lot from how to form social bonds, to which foods are safe to eat from the adults they live with. My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. When they dont respond to her attention, she tries cleaning them more and more vigorously, until eventually she ends up damaging them. If possible, you should be present during the birth to provide support and comfort to the mother. It can be hard to tell when your pregnant guinea pig is going to deliver her babies because unlike dogs and cats, they do not prepare a nest. If they are isolated, they may become lonely and sad. Coming up with a cute guinea pig name is a lot of fun, but can be tough. In the next section weve assembled some of the most commonly asked questions our readers have about their baby guinea pigs. Honestly, I dont feel like its worth the risk. If your sow is in a very small enclosure, this could cause her unnecessary stress. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip Greens? This can lead to health problems. A mix of alfalfa and timothy hay could keep the mother full and prevent this from happening. This is one of the biggest reasons why a sow will engage in filial cannibalism. A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. Besides, guinea pigs should eat about 1/8 of pellets, and about a cup of a mixture of herbs, vegetables, and fruits, but all in moderate amounts. This is for several reasons: You should find this post helpful: Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? But, only serve them as an occasional treat, because the high sugar and water content can cause health problems like obesity and diarrhea. It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig. Guinea pigs are also notorious communicators, and they start vocalising from babyhood. Its natural for you and me to humanize the behavior of animals. That way she doesnt have to deal with the stress of more pregnancies. 11. If it is found that they experience sadness after their young have been weaned, it would suggest that we take extra care in handling this process. Housing your guinea pig is not particularly difficult, as there are a large variety of hutches and cages commercially available. Guinea pig pregnancies are dangerous and the mortality rate is high both among guinea pig mothers and babies. After giving birth, the mother guinea pig is likely to eat the placenta but can end up eating her babies by mistake. Calcium is very important for baby piggies as they are growing and developing. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn babies. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. New Plymouth Vet Group. (What Owners Need To Know)Continue, If you notice drool on your guinea pigs face it can be a sign that somethings wrong. Breeding of guinea pigs is strongly discouraged. Yes, it is okay to touch your new baby guinea pigs. If a guinea pig mother cannot nurse her babies due to illness or death, keep the orphans with as many pet guinea pigs as possible. But, when a pet parent has makes an intentional choice to breed, its really not worth the risk in most cases. Wed love to hear about your experiences in the comment section below! This can be very misleading especially when it comes to motherhood as many animals eat their offspring in certain circumstances. It is okay for you to handle the pups during the nursing period. Increase the protein content in your pregnant guinea pigs diet. To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. The average lifespan of the guinea pig is four or five years, but it can live much longer. What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? They need to stay with their mother guinea pigs and suck their milk, but they will quickly become active. But, give them time to bond with their mother so they can nurse. Do Chickens Get Lonely? From the moment they are born they are unusually mature and capable of looking after themselves. Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. So your guinea pig is pregnant. But whether youre raising a litter from birth or buying an older baby guinea pig for sale, getting prepared in advance is the best way to make sure you provide them with the best start in life. You can expect your pup to wander curiously about their world during this time, but their legs are still a bit clumsy and theyre apt to suddenly plop down as they explore their environs. Check out these most popular guinea pig products on the market: Last update on 2023-02-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. If you push gently on their lower abdomen the penis may appear. After three weeks, baby guinea pigs can be separated from their mother and placed with other guinea pigs or their owner. This is especially true for mammalian animals, who often form strong attachments with their young. Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. Im guessing you probably have a lot of questions about guinea pig pregnancies. Provide a pregnant guinea pig with extra food, water, and nutrients. This is why you should do everything in your power to make your female piggy feel at ease. Theres no fixed moment when a guinea pig stops being a pup and becomes an adult. When you do approach the a baby guinea pig, be careful to move slowly and gently. This may confirm why male guinea pigs eat baby guinea pigs, Guinea pigs are stressed out during placenta feeding and may eat the babies thinking its the postpartum part, They lack food and energy after their babies are born. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. Clements, M. and Kelly, J. During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: Malnourished - not getting enough to eat of the right kinds of food Back to back pregnancies - due to nutrient deficiencies This was one question that had me really worried. The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. Guinea pigs have a good sense of hearing, so they will potentially even be able to hear you coming from down the hall. When your guinea pig is pregnant her Vitamin C requirements double to around 20mg per day. This was the most surprising thing to me! She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. Guinea Pig Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? So, consider getting a cage large enough for them to play around. Baby boars must be separated from mama at three weeks. However, you shouldnt touch the babies right after they are born. Weve already covered the reproductive cycle of guinea pigs and pregnancy and how to tell if a guinea pig is pregnant, so you can learn much more about these topics in our articles. Thankfully, she had an uneventful pregnancy and birth and did not eat her babies. Even their own children. Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. If your guinea pig becomes restless or starts to squeak loudly it is a sign that he is ready to go back to his cage. Other causes of hair loss due to underlying medical conditions such as ovarian cysts may occur as a result of hormonal distress. You have to remember that these babies are coming out of the womb ready to run around the cage and have fun very quickly. If you handle a baby bird in a nest, the mother will often abandon them because she'll sense something isn't right (i.e. Dwyer, C.M., et al, The effect of maternal undernutrition on the growth and development of the guinea pig placenta, Journal of Developmental Physiology, 1992. See Also: Care Show details Before making this assumption, consider the following possibilities: Unfortunately, the evidence of your sow eating her babies might be obvious. Yes, guinea pigs do mourn. She is also teaching them how to interact with other guinea pigs. They are not cannibalistic because they are starving. Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. How do you tell if a baby guinea pig is a boy or girl? There are different ways you can give your guinea pigs attention, and one of them is a good, old-fashioned daily petting session. Change the water daily. A human can serve as a surrogate mom if there are no other guinea pigs available, but it is best if the baby can be raised by its kind. Its easy to achieve in the first two weeks by keeping the whole litter together with their mom, but next week its time to start thinking about separating them. Lots of small animals (think rats and rabbits) have reputations for being prolific breeders. Individuals will be starting to show their own distinct personalities too. We found the following cage on Amazon that worked really well. When they grow up, male guinea pigs are called boars, and females are called sows. Guinea pigs can be aggressive towards each other if they are not adequately trained. So as long as the enclosure is secure and the bars are tight, you should be fine. If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter? They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. But recognising the biological reasons why it occurs makes it easier to avoid. Squeaks, Scales and Tails is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC an affiliate advertising program. If your guinea pig consistently has enough extra food, the chances of her needing to eat her pups drop to near zero. They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies, guinea pigs can get attached to their owners. I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. Sometimes adults will do this with each other too. Make sure she always has enough food. https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? And guinea pigs are quite fertile little creatures too! How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? Extreme Stress -. If you carefully run a finger over the area, you should be able to feel the shaft of their penis under the skin.
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