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. (What Owners Need To Know)Continue, If you notice drool on your guinea pigs face it can be a sign that somethings wrong. RSPCA Knowledgebase Let Australias most trusted animal welfare charity help you answer the big questions. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140328-sloth-bear-zoo-infanticide-chimps-bonobos-animals, Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy: The Stages of Pregnancy. And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. They also live for several years, longer than most other rodents, so you can enjoy them longer than other pet rodents. Newborn guinea pigs can open their eyes after they are born. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the water bottle at least once per week. Guinea pigs are not only kept as family pets, but like dogs, cats and rabbits, they are also bred for show. She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. (And yes, its one of the more gruesome animal interactions in the wild.). You might even have witnessed them start to join in with social grooming by this point. Soak guinea pig pellets in water from the first day of life. Give the orphaned puppy the same amount of water and evaporated guinea pig milk. Guinea Pig Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. It is perfectly fine to handle your new guinea pigs within the first week. Continue to give milk to puppies for 21 days even when they start eating solid food. I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. When the pregnant guinea pig is about to give birth, the male guinea pig must be separated from her because, within 12 hours after giving birth, she can become pregnant again. (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). If you are considering getting a guinea pig, ensure you can provide them with the social interaction they need. A male guinea pig eats the babies only by a strange occurrence. This is necessary to prevent pregnancy. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. Find The Best Deals on Your Favorite guinea pig Products and Save! Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. An inexperienced sow might accidentally damage her young with her teeth whilst trying to clean them up after the birth. If this happens, you should immediately remove the dead babies and dispose of them appropriately. (What You Need To Know)Continue. Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame. An average sized pup measures around 3 to 5 inches at birth, and very cylindrical roughly the size of a tangerine in fact! Donnelly, T. M. and Brown, C. J., Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry, Veterinary Clinics Exotic Animal Practice, 2004. Guinea pigs make the best mothers and give puppies the best chance of survival. However, taking some precautions can bring you peace of mind that your sow wont need to eat her babies. Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. Just keep your little friend with other females only. Once the pups arrive, monitor them closely to make sure nursing is established within 12 hours. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. 10. No. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesn't recognize them as his own offspring. 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. If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? Handling them too much too soon can disrupt the bond they need with their mother in order to nurse from her, and huddle against her for warmth. [9] They will still need to nurse, though, for three weeks before they are ready to be removed from their mother. Pneumonia can occur with torticollis and can be fatal. In most cases, guinea pigs won't miss you if you decide to leave them in the home instead of taking them with you for camping. Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. (Find Out Now), Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? They can impregnate mom and sisters! https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, Pregnancy toxemia in Guinea pigs. If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? So it is not good practice by caring breeders. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. We know that guinea pigs typically stay with their baby for about three weeks. They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. Breeding and reproduction of Guinea pigs All other pets Merck veterinary manual. If that happens in captivity, its a rare exception. Hi there! He may also help to nurse the babies. By giving them enough time with their mother, you reduce the risk that she will reject them. Guinea pig babies are called "pups" when they are born and are birthed into litters. But most people think of it as being around four weeks old, when they reach sexual maturity. The body temperature of a guinea pig is between 101104 F (3840 C), so its ideal ambient air temperature is similar to that of humans, approximately 6575 F (1824 C). Ask your vet for advice if this isnt the case. Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. How To Prevent a New Mother from Eating Her Babies? They might surprise you with how busy and outgoing they are too. If youre not looking for a specific breed or sex of guinea pig, rescuing one from a shelter is a great way to meet your new pet. 4. My mission is to teach others useful tips and tricks about these cute creatures. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. Sometimes it happens accidentally. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. Do not over-handle the mother or you could cause her stress which will lead . Sometimes it happens accidentally. These small pets need a lot of food and nutrition. The next thing you need to take care of is that make sure that their cages are heavy, comfortable, and not escapable. Rather, they belong to a rodent species called cavies. The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. The guinea pig fathers dont play any role in taking care of the litter, and can do more harm than good (sorry piggie dads!). Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. Yes, guinea pigs do eat their babies. For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. Spaying a female guinea pig can be a risky procedure that not all veterinarians are willing to attempt. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. They Talk to You A.K.A. Want to know more? Merck Veterinary Manual. Baby guinea pigs are called pups. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. The average guinea pig gestation is 59 72 days. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. (2010, July 22). Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. This is especially true if pet parents have not given their pregnant sow enough food. The act of cannibalism in guinea pigs is usually the mother trying to protect the rest of her litter from predators. They have learned quite a few life skills from their mother and are ready to go to their new homes. We spent some time coming up with cute guinea pig names for our babies and decided upon the following; Moose, Aspen, Moon and Finn! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We found the following cage on Amazon that worked really well. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. Baby guinea pigs feed on their mothers milk but soon they will need lots of alfalfa hay thats rich in calcium. Guinea pigs eat their babies not because they want to kill them for food but for other reasons. There are several major ideas about why would a guinea pig eat the babies: When they are small and weak, its much easier to keep baby guinea pigs away from male guinea pigs. Your guinea pig wont eat its babies if you touch them. One of the ways they do this is through "wheeking". Almost the only reason why a female guinea pig can kill her babies is that she is so stressed that her mind cannot handle the strain. How do I know when my guinea pig is ready to give birth? Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. Honestly, I dont feel like its worth the risk. (2020, May 5). They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. Alternatively, you can contact local small animal shelters and ask if they have any baby guinea pigs for adoption. We hope you found this article helpful about what to expect when expecting newborn baby guinea pigs! 11. One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? Many living creatures eat other members of their species when necessary for survival. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy is an ongoing process that will require lots of dedication and effort from you. This process includes eating the placenta and, while she does this, there is a chance that she will mistake one of her babies for the placenta. Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort. So, I took some time to do some research on it for you. The Midwest Guinea Pig Habitat is the recommended size (minimum of 8 square feet) and has deep sides around the edges that make it difficult for the baby guinea pigs to crawl out of. That way she doesnt have to deal with the stress of more pregnancies. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. Medical Disclaimer. The first twenty four hours are when the babies are at greatest risk for being eaten, so remain close during this period. Im guessing you probably have a lot of questions about guinea pig pregnancies. While it is a hard thing to think about, it can happen. 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. Let's hear it for the boys. Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. From there you can jump straight to the answers you need, or join us for a complete overview of baby guinea pig development, week by week. Preview / Show more . Ive wondered it myself. Put him back with his mother if he becomes vocal or squirmy. Although they are capable of eating almost immediately, baby guineas do still need to nurse and they will seek milk about every two hours. Baby guinea pig care - The Guinea Pig Manual. Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. If possible, you should be present during the birth to provide support and comfort to the mother. Between then and reaching their full adult weight several months later, you might hear them being described as juniors. Can a Guinea Pig Baby Live Without the Mother? They are basically saying . Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. 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. While it might not be anything to worry about, sometimes it can be a sign of sickness. B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. They have small bodies and big eyes. One under his chest and one under his bottom. Guinea pigs diet rests on grasses, herbs, hay, and raw fruits and vegetables. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? If it does occur, the reasons will probably differ slightly from that of other species, and its important to understand these reasons in order to try to prevent it from happening: Most female guinea pigs will never eat their live young on purpose. (Find Out Now), Filial Cannibalism (and 7 Reasons Why Some Animal Moms Dine On Their Babies). Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. If the litter is too large, the mama . Signs of Guinea pig loneliness, depression, and boredom include hair chewing, hiding, refusing to be handled, and general irritability. This can harm the guinea pigs health, as they may become stressed or depressed. Guinea pigs form close bonds with their families and can be very attached to their parents. Just like with taming older guinea pigs be patient and consistent. Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. Guinea pig babies are actually called pups. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth.
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