This way, your guinea pig will not feel the need for extra nutrition. So your guinea pig is pregnant. Donnelly, T. M. and Brown, C. J., Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry, Veterinary Clinics Exotic Animal Practice, 2004. This blog will give you some helpful tips on how to make this a wonderful experience. During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: This was one question that had me really worried. Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. It will also well as putting her at risk for developing diseases like toxaemia. They might surprise you with how busy and outgoing they are too. Even though they share similar names, guinea pigs do not belong to either the dog or pig family. Read Also: How Often to Clean Guinea Pig Cage. Guinea pigs dont hibernate, but they will slow down their metabolism and activity in order to stay warm, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. The standard litter can range from one to six little pups, with an avg. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140328-sloth-bear-zoo-infanticide-chimps-bonobos-animals, Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy: The Stages of Pregnancy. Its unwise to create more. For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. i am so excited!!! Our goal is to make Guinea Pig Den the ultimate resource for learning about your new guinea pig and helpful information before you bring one home as a pet.
On the other hand, if it turns out that they dont form any attachment to their young, then we can rest assured knowing that there isnt anything we need to worry about. 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. As you find a toy for your little fur baby, you might be asking, do guinea pigs like stuffed animals? 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. Significantly, this is the age when pups will start to reach sexual maturity. Male guinea pigs have a donut-shaped opening. Preview / Show more . Guinea Pigs May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming. Just like big farmyard pigs! You should increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables given daily and also consider pet-friendly supplements.
Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Babies - Midnight Pets Hold him against your chest to help him feel secure and safe. Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. Some guinea pig moms have their maternity care kicked in as they give birth while others take some time . Now, lets begin at the beginning. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by my readers, but it doesn't cost you anything at all. Do everything you can to fulfill the wants and needs of the pregnant female, to make her feel safe and comfortable. Make sure your pig has a lot of food. 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. Sometimes it happens accidentally. She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. Many others survive but have problems.Additionally, theres thousands (if not tens of thousands) of piggies without good homes now. Guinea pig babies are actually called pups. When you touch them be soft and gentle. This is why you should do everything in your power to make your female piggy feel at ease. Sows sometimes give birth during the night. Filial cannibalism is when animals eat their own offspring.
How Old Are Guinea Pigs Before Leaving Their Mother? - Oddly Cute Pets *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. (Fun Facts). A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. First of all, dont be too hard on yourself.
This is pretty rare.
Newborn Guinea Pigs Pups Care, Feeding, Vaccines, and More - The Big Zoo The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn babies. Three weeks marks the earliest point at which pups may stop nursing from their mother. In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig.
What to Do If Your Guinea Pig Had Babies - YouTube Guinea pigs can typically handle labor and delivery without intervention; however, guinea pigs can die during the birthing process. But, stick with me. Every few hours for the first few days, you should hand-feed the baby guinea pig: mesh pellets or supplement powder, and if you have grown guinea pigs, also add a fecal . Firstly, please provide them with plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied. For the first 2-3 weeks , they will rely on their mother for milk. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. You can also give them a comfortable place to sleep, like a bed or hammock. Many time, the pup gets killed accidentally and the mother eats it because she has a survival instinct. They need supervised time out of their cages each day to run around and exercise. Your Baby Guinea Pig What To Expect And How To Look How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? And that means that in a mixed litter of boys and girls, its time for the boys to be relocated to a new home, to prevent unwanted pregnancies. How do I know when my guinea pig is ready to give birth? 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. The first twenty four hours are when the babies are at greatest risk for being eaten, so remain close during this period. Hi there! Common diseases in domestic guinea pigs include respiratory infections, diarrhea, itching, and boils due to infection (often the neck, throat, or external scratches). Piglet Okay, so it's not that clever. For instance, most rats eat their babies. Guinea pigs are social animals who rely on their families for support. Caring for a guinea pig can be challenging if you are unsure whether it is missing its baby. (What Owners Need To Know)Continue, If you notice drool on your guinea pigs face it can be a sign that somethings wrong.
Do guinea pigs hurt their babies? - Your Wisdom Tips How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? The surprising truth is that it happens more often than youd think. Baby guinea pigs are capable of digesting solid food very soon after birth (within hours). However, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not this is true. Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? Guinea pig pregnancies are dangerous and the mortality rate is high both among guinea pig mothers and babies. 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. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? Bathing them, if its something you plan to try, should wait until they are at least eight weeks old. When can baby guinea pigs be separated from their mother? However, they can seriously injure them when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. How long before you can handle baby guinea pigs? In general, the color of Abyssinian guinea pigs is associated with congenital eye defects and digestive problems. And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. Baby guinea pigs are unique in that they are born with their eyes open! Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. 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 is especially true for mammalian animals, who often form strong attachments with their young. When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. While it is certainly possible that guinea pigs may experience separation anxiety after their babies have been taken away, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that this is the case. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. New guinea pig breeds are formalised by the American Cavy Breeders Association, who also oversee breed standards and competitions in the United States.
Newborn Guinea Pig Babies 10 Minutes Old! - YouTube In situations where one of your guinea pigs crosses the rainbow bridge leaving one behind, the guinea pig left behind might not be so receptive to a new cage mate. You just have to note that bringing mature guinea pigs together can sometimes be difficult, even if it is done in a slow and measured manner. 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. If you push gently on their lower abdomen the penis may appear. Yes, it is okay to touch your new baby guinea pigs.
How Do Guinea Pigs Reproduce? (Breeding, Complications & More) Stress can cause guinea pigs to eat their babies, and stress-induced cannibalism is also very common in guinea pigs, and unfortunately, quite unavoidable at times.Do your best to keep them well fed and give them plenty of rest so they can stay calm. Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. Its also the age of the youngest baby guinea pigs in pet stores. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. Use the tips in this post to understand why piggies eat their babies and to prevent it from happening. Like babies of all species, cute baby guinea pigs are tiny and winsome. Lake Shore Veterinary Hospital offers the following helpful advice: If you touch her belly a couple of centimeters ahead of the anus, you will be able to feel that the pelvic bones have spread apart. Male guinea pigs are more likely to harm their babies but they shouldnt eat them. 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 pig pregnancy seems short to us, but in fact it lasts a remarkably long time for their size. 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.
Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies - And How To Prevent It! And, when it happens, it is usually an accident, not a rule, and intentional behavior. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. 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. Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. They Talk to You A.K.A.
Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? [The Surprising Truth] We hope youve enjoyed this in depth article about cute baby guinea pigs!Guinea pig pups are quite unlike most other baby animals. To pick up your guinea pig move slowly and gently pick him up with two hands. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. 11. They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. We hope you found this article helpful about what to expect when expecting newborn baby guinea pigs! Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. Guinea pigs eat their babies not because they want to kill them for food but for other reasons. 9. Just simply focusing on your guinea pigs and trying to chat with them every day can go a long way. Clements, M. and Kelly, J. But if you have a tiny little guinea pig with a noteworthy squeak, this name is pretty darn adorable. 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. 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. This is called precociality. AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
Do Guinea Pigs Recognize Their Owners?: 10 Tips You Need Now Increase the protein content in your pregnant guinea pigs diet. You might even have witnessed them start to join in with social grooming by this point. (n.d.). An average sized pup measures around 3 to 5 inches at birth, and very cylindrical roughly the size of a tangerine in fact! But, fruit should only be given as an occasional treat. Ive wondered it myself. 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. Bartesaghi, R., Severi, S., Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Neuroscience, 2004. In some cases, guinea pigs may lick or try to groom you as a sign of affection. Soak guinea pig pellets in water from the first day of life. An adult guinea pig will never deliberately harm or eat a newborn guinea pig.
Will Your Guinea Pig Eat Her Babies? (What You Need To Know) However, some people have asked whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies after they have been separated. Put him back with his mother if he becomes vocal or squirmy. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. Guinea pig litters can contain up to eight pups, but two, three or four is more usual. 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. Make sure she always has enough food. 10. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? If you have an affectionate male guinea pig, you can introduce the babies when they are in the same cage. It is essential for guinea pigs to have social contact with other guinea pigs. Cage size Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape? Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id","a865a53297bca918d5b51d234266ee3f");document.getElementById("e1b86b387e").setAttribute("id","comment"); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Likely she has forgotten all about them, and is instead planning to to escape and start her next litter. Signs of Guinea pig loneliness, depression, and boredom include hair chewing, hiding, refusing to be handled, and general irritability. Make sure to feed your guinea pig hay of high quality. 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. If a typical guinea pig male suspects that the babies are not his own (whether or not this is the case in reality), he may kill and eat them. Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. This is one of the biggest reasons why a sow will engage in filial cannibalism. An inexperienced sow might accidentally damage her young with her teeth whilst trying to clean them up after the birth. If it has not happened within the first 24 hours, it is very unlikely she will attempt to do it later on. Let's hear it for the boys. Guinea pigs are docile small animals. Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. Other causes of hair loss due to underlying medical conditions such as ovarian cysts may occur as a result of hormonal distress. Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly.
The causes are different for each species. Baby guinea pigs are called pups just like baby dogs. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. 15 Best Pet Freshwater Fish For Beginners. Bear in mind this doesnt necessarily mean she is dangerously thin. Just keep your little friend with other females only. To avoid the risk of your guinea pig, eating her babies, take these safety steps. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? Once all the serious aspects of baby guinea pig care are in hand, you can turn your mind to more fun tasks, like picking their names. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. It is also quite normal for baby guinea pigs to whine when approached by a much bigger and older guinea pig. At the end of the day we removed the fleece bedding, washed it and replaced it with a fresh fleece liner. However, both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier. An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies. Or house her with a neutered male to prevent future pregnancies. Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. Honestly, I dont feel like its worth the risk. National Geographic. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary.
Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? (The Surprising Truth) Try to provide your pet with the extra company as much as you can, even if only for a short period of time. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. Although pet guinea pigs eating their pups is a very rare incident, it does happen sometimes. Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons.
How Many Babies Do Guinea Pigs Have? - Guinea Pig Hub Well be discussing more about this in todays article. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. All rights reserved. Sometimes adults will do this with each other too. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. Adult guinea pigs eat timothy hay, orchard hay, or any other hay thats high in fiber. https://lakeshorepethospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Guinea_Pig_Pregnancy.pdf, If you know anything about guinea pigs, you know they love to play. This website was inspired by our guinea pig pair, Theo and Remmy, and is our familys journey to becoming the best guinea pig parents. If you are just considering the idea of owning guinea pigs, ensure that you already have the capacity to take care of them and also provide them with quality interplay. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. However, they will continue to feed on their mothers milk as well. When you pick them up secure one hand beneath the stomach and one under the bottom and hold close to your chest. They can impregnate mom and sisters!
The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. By giving them enough time with their mother, you reduce the risk that she will reject them. If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? 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). I thought they would be born helpless and look like baby rats or hamsters with no fur and their eyes closed. Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. On the other hand, female guinea pigs mature sexually at 2 months of age, so make sure to keep them separated from their brothers and father.
Why Do Guinea Pigs Lick You or Other Guinea Pigs? Change the water daily. How Few Is Too Few? (And Other Key Terms), How Often Should You Clean a Guinea Pigs Cage? The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. 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. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. Guinea pigs definitely can eat clementines. Guinea pig babies are born very quickly. But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! Many people believe that male guinea pigs eat their babies as well. Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. This page is stuffed full of information about how to care for your baby guinea pig. They use them to form social bonds and initiate mating, attract the attention of herd members over great distances, communicate sadness, and sound the alarm. We used fleece bedding which we spot cleaned throughout the day by removing poop and leftover food. They have small bodies and big eyes. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUniverseReflected The all natural Piggies Choice Hay Racks are available finally! Its understandable to feel that way. They need to stay with their mother guinea pigs and suck their milk, but they will quickly become active. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups (as a general rule), so ideally you wouldn't want too many pups born at once. And if you push very gently, the penis might appear. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. Yes, guinea pigs do eat their babies. They will weigh as much as 2 kilos; most reside between 5 and 6 years, however some notably wholesome pets can reside 10 years or longer. What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. You can also ask your vet for advice and support. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. Guinea pigs may miss their parents, but more research must confirm this. But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? It is important to note that guinea pigs can get attached to their owners and may experience signs of separation anxiety when they are not around. She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? A newborn guinea pig might weigh around 3.5 ounces or 100 grams. If you carefully run a finger over the area, you should be able to feel the shaft of their penis under the skin. Sufficient nutrition, a mixture of alfalfa and timothy grass, keeps female guinea pigs hydrated and can prevent guinea pigs from eating their babies. Prepare to separate the male and female baby guinea pigs by at least three weeks of age. There are different ways you can give your guinea pigs attention, and one of them is a good, old-fashioned daily petting session. When you decide to introduce baby guinea pigs to an adult guinea pig, follow their behavior (monitor them for aggression) and respond quickly. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. Female guinea pigs have a Y-shaped opening close to their anus. Garner-Richardson, V., Guinea Pig Nutrition, The Veterinary Nurse, 2013. Allowing siblings to breed also poses a risk of dangerous congenital disorders to their offspring. Ask your vet for advice if this isnt the case. Housing your guinea pig is not particularly difficult, as there are a large variety of hutches and cages commercially available. Its important to remember that guinea pigs are prey animals and they can get intimidated very easily. Many people believe that guinea pigs get attached to their owners and that they miss their parents when they are separated. Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. How Can You Prevent Your Guinea Pig from Eating Its Young? Just like with taming older guinea pigs be patient and consistent. 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. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? (What You Need To Know)Continue. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Eat Their Young? 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. 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. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. This is a question that many guinea pig owners have. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice.