Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? It can be difficult to tell the difference between male and female guinea pigs under three weeks of age. A newborn guinea pig might weigh around 3.5 ounces or 100 grams. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). And within a few hours nursing should be established. We read that the bedding needs to be changed daily. When they dont respond to her attention, she tries cleaning them more and more vigorously, until eventually she ends up damaging them. 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. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. So, if youve been wanting to know if guinea pigs usually miss their owners, we hope you have the answer now. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that we could position it low enough for the babies to reach it. Put him back with his mother if he becomes vocal or squirmy. If separated from their parents, they may become anxious and depressed. 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. New guinea pig breeds are formalised by the American Cavy Breeders Association, who also oversee breed standards and competitions in the United States. Prepare to separate the male and female baby guinea pigs by at least three weeks of age. By the time theyre a month old, baby guinea pigs body shape rather resembles that of a syrian hamster. 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. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. One reason why a guinea pig mother might eat one of her pups is that she is extremely malnourished. 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. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). This often happens when owners of female guinea pigs discover an unplanned pregnancy and arent able to care for all the babies. Do everything you can to fulfill the wants and needs of the pregnant female, to make her feel safe and comfortable. Yet, sometimes, guinea pigs can eat their babies. She is also teaching them how to interact with other guinea pigs. Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. i am so excited!!! But usually, mom will begin to discourage her babies from nursing at about the 3rd week. Once the pups arrive, monitor them closely to make sure nursing is established within 12 hours. Guinea pigs and other rodents do not eat their babies because they are hungry. 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. Or at least make it a less dangerous one, for you, the guinea pig mother, and the baby piggies. If you look after the guinea pig mother regularly, she will allow you to touch her baby guinea pigs. Well, your guess is as good as mine guinea pigs sure miss their owners when theyre absent for so long. If you want some more information on guinea pig interactions, check out these posts: The Truth About Single Guinea Pigs (Is It Okay To Just Have One?) The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. That way she doesnt have to deal with the stress of more pregnancies. We hope youve enjoyed this in depth article about cute baby guinea pigs!Guinea pig pups are quite unlike most other baby animals. Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. 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. Once they die, she might eat them. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. Baby guinea pigs are able to digest solid food soon after birth; however, the majority of their required nutrients will come from their mothers milk. Just being near their most preferred people can give guinea pigs a lot of comfort. Sometimes adults will do this with each other too. But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. Well chart the milestones of their first days and weeks, and find out what to expect if you discover your female guinea pig is expecting. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. I didnt know how we would handle it if Theo rejected her babies or even worse ate her young! To understand why a guinea pig mother killing and gobbling up her offspring is so rare and why its still a possibility (although it is a long shot), you need to know a little bit about the dynamics of. And of course, when you run a finger over the area, you wont feel a penis! So, pet parents should be cautious and prepared when dealing with pregnant sows. 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. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. They can impregnate mom and sisters! A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. (Find Out Now), Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? (Find Out Now). Over the next 2 weeks, decrease the feeding time gradually. Although guinea pigs need the presence of other guinea pigs, attention from human beings is also essential for their well-being. How long do baby guinea pigs stay with Mom? 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. Even if guinea pigs cannot express emotions the way other pets like dogs or cats do, it doesnt mean they dont miss their owners when left alone for long. Like babies of all species, cute baby guinea pigs are tiny and winsome. However, they can seriously injure them when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? It is important to consider the space between the bars of your guinea pig cage. When you touch them be soft and gentle. On the other hand if youll be helping a sow to raise a litter of pups from birth, theres rather more to think about. As herbivores, they dont eat meat at all. They are able to express a wide range of emotions using different sounds and gestures. If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. (What You Need To Know), Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? Walter or Bob These guinea pigs sound like they should be wearing business suits on Wall Street. Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. Now, lets begin at the beginning. Most species clean their offspring with their tongue and so do your little friends. This is called precociality. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? Since males can get any female guinea pig pregnant once they reach maturity - including their mothers - they're weaned and taken from their mother at three weeks old. Caring for a guinea pig can be challenging if you are unsure whether it is missing its baby. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. In some cases, guinea pigs may lick or try to groom you as a sign of affection. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Squeaks and Nibbles is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, Squeaks and Nibbles is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This can hurt their health and well-being. Can Rabbits Eat Grapes Pros And Cons of Grapes For Rabbits. 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. Its just as important that your baby guinea pig also spends most of their time with other guinea pigs. But if you have a tiny little guinea pig with a noteworthy squeak, this name is pretty darn adorable. Place the cage in a quiet, draft-free area your home that is out of direct sunlight. Guinea pigs can be aggressive towards each other if they are not adequately trained. If you keep a male guinea pig with the mother and babies, introduce them slowly, so there is no aggression between the two adults. 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. 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. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. Baby boars must be separated from mama at three weeks. "Wheek" City. It is perfectly fine to handle your new guinea pigs within the first week. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. The largest guinea pig litter recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records contained a whopping 17 pups! This is pretty rare. I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. The average guinea pig gestation is 59 72 days. 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. Baby guinea pigs are called pups. Theres no fixed moment when a guinea pig stops being a pup and becomes an adult. Weaning age depends on several factors including the pups weight, the mothers milk supply, and the number of siblings. Their paws and head are comically outsized in proportion to their body, and they already have a full coat of fur. This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. When female guinea pigs eat their babies, they can do so because they are excessively hungry and because they are under a lot of stress that they cannot handle. In general, most female guinea pigs who survives birth and delivery will and raise her litter without any issues. Although they spring out with open eyes and fully furred, piggie pups are still small and fragile at first. Baby guinea pig care - The Guinea Pig Manual. I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. 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. Guinea pig babies are actually called pups. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. While it is a hard thing to think about, it can happen. Briscoe, T.A., et al, Cardiovascular and renal disease in the adolescent guinea pig after chronic placental insufficiency, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2004. But, fruit should only be given as an occasional treat. Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. (Find Out Now). They have small bodies and big eyes. i've been keeping this a secret for over a week now!! As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! Guinea pig babies are born very quickly. Show some tender feelings towards your guinea pig. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by my readers, but it doesn't cost you anything at all. Guinea pig pups are essentially born ready to go: their eyes are open, they have hair and a full set of teeth, and they can run around on their own. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. After three weeks, baby guinea pigs can be separated from their mother and placed with other guinea pigs or their owner. You can do a few things to help your guinea pig cope when youre not around. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. If the mother is experiencing starvation , she may eat her offspring as an ultimate last resort. The reason is that male guinea pigs mature sexually very soon and can impregnate their mother as young as 2-3 months of age or even earlier. GuineaPigDen.com is a participant in theAmazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you are unsure if the guinea pig is missing its baby, you may not be able to know if it is ill and needs to see a veterinarian. When a guinea pig is malnourished, it means that the guinea pig is not getting enough of the vitamins and nutrients that its body needs. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. You need to make the entire environment guinea pig-friendly. For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. (n.d.). Female guinea pigs dont intentionally eat their babies nor do they kill them to eat them. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. The guinea pig fathers dont play any role in taking care of the litter, and can do more harm than good (sorry piggie dads!). She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. We know that guinea pigs typically stay with their baby for about three weeks. Why Guinea Pigs Are Less Likely To Eat Their Babies? The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. It will also well as putting her at risk for developing diseases like toxaemia. The more factors that are present, the higher likelihood shell eat her pups. Provide a pregnant guinea pig with extra food, water, and nutrients. 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. When baby guinea pigs grow up the males are called boars and the females are called sows. Breeding and reproduction of Guinea pigs All other pets Merck veterinary manual. The surprising truth is that it happens more often than youd think. What Are Common Health Problems in Guinea Pigs? Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? Increase the protein content in your pregnant guinea pigs diet. In general, the color of Abyssinian guinea pigs is associated with congenital eye defects and digestive problems. A female guinea pig usually wont eat a baby guinea pig deliberately. Male guinea pigs have a donut-shaped opening. However, too much calcium is dangerous for an adult guinea pig. The best thing you can do is provide adequate and proper nutrition to the new guinea pig mother. Baby guinea pigs are unique in that they are born with their eyes open! 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. 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 . mypetguineapig.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Neutering is A LOT less risky for males than spaying is for females. Why would a pet guinea pig eat its own babies? Sometimes it happens accidentally. Do not over-handle the mother or you could cause her stress which will lead . Honestly, I dont feel like its worth the risk. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. Newborn guinea pigs weigh only 100 grams but they grow quickly. This is just enough space to allow the guinea pigs to escape. (Fun Facts). Guinea Pig Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? Caring for baby guinea pigs can be a rewarding experience if you know what to expect. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. They Talk to You A.K.A. Your guinea pig wont eat its babies if you touch them. This is especially true for mammalian animals, who often form strong attachments with their young. This is a question that many guinea pig owners have. If it has not happened within the first 24 hours, it is very unlikely she will attempt to do it later on. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups (as a general rule), so ideally you wouldn't want too many pups born at once. In our research, we could not find a definitive age when guinea pigs are declared adults; however, they reach sexual maturity by four weeks of age. Give the orphaned puppy the same amount of water and evaporated guinea pig milk. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. While guinea pigs are usually docile, friendly and social creatures, adult males should not be around the babies under any circumstances. Foreign bodies in the eye of a guinea pig result in tearing, and corneal ulcers, which, in some cases, form a translucent film over the eyes. Try to provide your pet with the extra company as much as you can, even if only for a short period of time. One under his chest and one under his bottom. However, they will continue to feed on their mothers milk as well. An adult guinea pig will never deliberately harm or eat a newborn guinea pig. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. Let's hear it for the boys. In the meantime, if you havent seen enough sweet pictures of baby guinea pigs yet, then why not visit our compilation of favorite guinea pig videos. You don't have to be a professional breeder . Guinea pigs are docile small animals. mypetguineapig.com may be compensated when users click on links and sign-up with their associated offers located in content or anywhere else on the page. Many time, the pup gets killed accidentally and the mother eats it because she has a survival instinct. What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? A mother guinea pig can eat her babies if one of the babies is born dead. 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. Getting guinea pigs used to handling from an early age is an important part of rearing confident, relaxed pets. Regarding animal parents, there is no greater love than that of a mother for her young. Watch after your guinea pig while she gives birth. They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. Kind, K.L., Chronic maternal feed restriction impairs growth but increases adiposity of the fetal guinea pig, American Journal of Physiology, 2005. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. Watch this video to learn more about guinea pig. Having a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. They reach their adult size very quickly. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? We used fleece bedding which we spot cleaned throughout the day by removing poop and leftover food. If your guinea pig consistently has enough extra food, the chances of her needing to eat her pups drop to near zero. She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. They look a little bit awkward as they begin to move around. A great way to get help raising your first litter successfully, and in recognising potential problems quickly, is by enlisting the support of a mentor. So, its possible for their mother (especially if shes inexperienced with babies) to kill them with too much force. However, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their young at all because guinea pigs are herbivores. You might even have witnessed them start to join in with social grooming by this point. Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. Male guinea pigs are more likely to harm their babies but they shouldnt eat them. Ahhhh, clementines. It is also quite normal for baby guinea pigs to whine when approached by a much bigger and older guinea pig. Guinea pigs are peaceful creatures. An average sized pup measures around 3 to 5 inches at birth, and very cylindrical roughly the size of a tangerine in fact! Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. Between then and reaching their full adult weight several months later, you might hear them being described as juniors. Ive wondered it myself. Bathing them, if its something you plan to try, should wait until they are at least eight weeks old. 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. On the other hand, if it turns out that they don't form any attachment to their young, then we can . The advantage of choosing the Midwest Habitat Plus is that it offers up to 8 square feet of space, its very affordable, and you can transfer your male guinea pig to a different section early. Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. A male guinea pig eats the babies only by a strange occurrence. Once they are one to two finger-widths apart, it wont be long untilbirth.. When they grow up, male guinea pigs are called boars, and females are called sows. Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. Keep in mind that guinea pigs are not the best choice to raise other female guinea pigs babies. Wiki User 2008-10-08 02:35:56 This. 11811 Shaker Blvd, #204, PMB 289Cleveland, Ohio 44120(216) 912-6291. At three weeks of age it was still hard for us to tell the difference between the males and females. Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. He may also help to nurse the babies. 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. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. Firstly, please provide them with plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied. When separated from their parents, they often experience anxiety and depression. Guinea pig litters can contain up to eight pups, but two, three or four is more usual. But, only serve them as an occasional treat, because the high sugar and water content can cause health problems like obesity and diarrhea. If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. Just simply focusing on your guinea pigs and trying to chat with them every day can go a long way. Spaying a female guinea pig can be a risky procedure that not all veterinarians are willing to attempt. Read Also: How Often to Clean Guinea Pig Cage. Hey there, I'm Angela. There are, Read More 7 Alarming Reasons Why Guinea Pigs DroolContinue, What fruits can guinea pigs eat? Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip Greens? You cannot do any harm by touching your adult guinea pig or its babies. Individual size is generally linked to litter size, so the more siblings there are in a litter, the smaller they are each likely to be. The first twenty four hours are when the babies are at greatest risk for being eaten, so remain close during this period. If this happens, you should immediately remove the dead babies and dispose of them appropriately. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? Where can I find baby guinea pigs for sale? https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. By six weeks of age baby guinea pigs are self-sufficient and fully weaned. Orphans should be fed by an eyedropper or pet nurse within the first 12 to 24 hours of life. Of course, every guinea pig is different, and some individual animals may indeed experience some sadness or loneliness after being separated from their babies if you are concerned that your guinea pig may miss its young, it. Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. But most people think of it as being around four weeks old, when they reach sexual maturity. How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter? 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. Housing your guinea pig is not particularly difficult, as there are a large variety of hutches and cages commercially available. When your guinea pig is pregnant they need more food than usual, and its surprisingly easy to give them less than what they need. Lets take a closer look at this exciting topic. How To Stop Guinea Pigs Chewing On Cage Bars, Baby Chicken What To Expect From Egg To 8 Weeks Old, Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Cardiovascular and renal disease in the adolescent guinea pig after chronic placental insufficiency, The effect of maternal undernutrition on the growth and development of the guinea pig placenta, Chronic maternal feed restriction impairs growth but increases adiposity of the fetal guinea pig, Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, The Effects of Diet on Anatomy, Physiology and Health in the Guinea Pig, Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry.
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