If you look after the guinea pig mother regularly, she will allow you to touch her baby guinea pigs. 9. Witkowska, A. et al, The Effects of Diet on Anatomy, Physiology and Health in the Guinea Pig, Journal of Animal Health and Behavioural Science, 2017. Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. Having a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. Although guinea pigs occasionally sneeze, frequent sneezing is a sign of pneumonia, especially in response to climate change. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. 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? 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. Let's hear it for the boys. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. For the first 2-3 weeks , they will rely on their mother for milk. If you are unsure, it is best to consult with a veterinarian to help determine the sex of the pups. It's often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Ahhhh, clementines. Whereas there are over 13 Guinea Pig breeds, English, Abyssinian, and Peruvian Guinea Pigs are the most well-liked. Wiki User 2008-10-08 02:35:56 This. 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. So it is not good practice by caring breeders. 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. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. Guinea Pigs make excellent pets due to their playful, social nature. So the remaining milestones left to look for relate to growth, feeding, behavior and sexual maturity. This website was inspired by our guinea pig pair, Theo and Remmy, and is our familys journey to becoming the best guinea pig parents. 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. Newborn guinea pigs can open their eyes after they are born. You have entered an incorrect email address! Guinea pigs eating babies is a rare but possible occurrence. Guinea pigs form close bonds with their families and can be very attached to their parents. Thankfully, its only done when the mother feels she doesnt have any other option. Feed the guinea pig pups for the first 5 days around the clock every 4 to 5 hours. 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. In the next section weve assembled some of the most commonly asked questions our readers have about their baby guinea pigs. Merck Veterinary Manual. https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? Its understandable to feel that way. They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. At the end of the day we removed the fleece bedding, washed it and replaced it with a fresh fleece liner. Sometimes, male Guinea pigs will eat pups if they were fathered by another cavy. Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. This can happen if the guinea pig is not being fed enough timothy hay, pellets, vitamin C supplements, etc. If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. The average guinea pig gestation is 59 72 days. When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. Baby guinea pigs are called pups just like baby dogs. Sufficient nutrition, a mixture of alfalfa and timothy grass, keeps female guinea pigs hydrated and can prevent guinea pigs from eating their babies. i am so excited!!! Kind, K.L., Chronic maternal feed restriction impairs growth but increases adiposity of the fetal guinea pig, American Journal of Physiology, 2005. Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. Ask your vet for advice if this isnt the case. There is a chance that your sow will only partially eat her offspring, particularly if she killed them by accident. 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. These colorful, chore charts will help you keep track of when to feed your fuzz butts, clean their cages, and much more. How Can You Prevent Your Guinea Pig from Eating Its Young? When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. 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. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. Like babies of all species, cute baby guinea pigs are tiny and winsome. This is pretty rare. Guinea pigs are not only kept as family pets, but like dogs, cats and rabbits, they are also bred for show. 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. Hold him against your chest to help him feel secure and safe. While the baby boars can be separated in just three weeks once they are fully weaned, the baby sows can remain with the mother for up to 4 weeks from the time of birth. Here are some of our top baby guinea pig name lists to help you feel inspired! Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. Many people believe that male guinea pigs eat their babies as well. (700 to 1,100 grams), according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. It is important to make sure that the pups begin nursing within the first few hours of birth. Thats what they do while also making your life a much brighter place. After three weeks, the baby guinea pig can be separated from its mother and placed with other guinea pigs or its owner. Three weeks marks the earliest point at which pups may stop nursing from their mother. So your guinea pig is pregnant. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. (n.d.). Youre gonna want to read this. A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. It is fine to carefully handle your new guinea pig pups during their first week, but be sure to allow them plenty of time with their mother as well. If you have an affectionate male guinea pig, you can introduce the babies when they are in the same cage. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? New guinea pig breeds are formalised by the American Cavy Breeders Association, who also oversee breed standards and competitions in the United States. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. Even then, they must be handled very gently. of 2-4. The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. Expect to pay around $10 to $40 on average, though this can vary depending on factors such as age and coloring. Keep the male guinea pig separate from his female partner to keep her safe and reduce the stress. They are cheerful and love to run around, squeak, eat, play, and poop. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. Here you'll find the juicy goods to care for your little friends WITHOUT making your brain short-circuit. For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. Female guinea pigs have a Y-shaped opening close to their anus. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. Firstly, please provide them with plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied. It is okay for you to handle the pups during the nursing period. Now, if you have a dog or even a cat, you are sure it misses you when you have to go to work but 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. At three weeks of age it was still hard for us to tell the difference between the males and females. Guinea pigs may be Darwinian in their process toward motherhood, meaning only strong individuals can survive and reproduce more, To eliminate competition, guinea pigs are reluctant to share their enclave, especially when other male guinea pigs are around. It is also quite normal for baby guinea pigs to whine when approached by a much bigger and older guinea pig. It is perfectly fine to handle your new guinea pigs within the first week. 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 . Raising an orphaned guinea pig is not very difficult because mothers feed guinea pig pups only a few times per day and then leave them alone. They might surprise you with how busy and outgoing they are too. Provide a pregnant guinea pig with extra food, water, and nutrients. 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. And guinea pigs are quite fertile little creatures too! 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. 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. In some cases, guinea pigs may lick or try to groom you as a sign of affection. You cannot do any harm by touching your adult guinea pig or its babies. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. 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. The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? You can also give them a comfortable place to sleep, like a bed or hammock. Sometimes it happens accidentally. Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. Do not over-handle the mother or you could cause her stress which will lead . No. 3 hours ago WebBaby Guinea Pig Diet The first week of life is critical. Prepare to separate the male and female baby guinea pigs by at least three weeks of age. For instance, most rats eat their babies. male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies, guinea pigs can get attached to their owners. Its natural for you and me to humanize the behavior of animals. To pick up your guinea pig move slowly and gently pick him up with two hands. By six weeks of age baby guinea pigs are self-sufficient and fully weaned. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Kill Their Young? But, if one or more of her litter is stillborn, she may eat it. Your guinea pig will be frustrated if their youngsters are upset or stressed. Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. In almost all species, males are inherently territorial. 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. Guinea pigs can recognize their owners and other people they know and trust. Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE But recognising the biological reasons why it occurs makes it easier to avoid. 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. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that we could position it low enough for the babies to reach it. Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Neutering is A LOT less risky for males than spaying is for females. Guinea pigs are fragile animals at any age but especially during their early days of life. 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. 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. We know that guinea pigs typically stay with their baby for about three weeks. In general, most female guinea pigs who survives birth and delivery will and raise her litter without any issues. I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. New babies are born with teeth, claws, and fur. and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? At those moments, the guinea pig mother can be very protective and you can be mistaken for a potential predator. Within twenty-four hours they can start to eat grass, produce, hay, and pellet feed just like adults. If you are considering getting a guinea pig, ensure you can provide them with the social interaction they need. They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. 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. During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: This was one question that had me really worried. Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. Just like with taming older guinea pigs be patient and consistent. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. 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. Where can I find baby guinea pigs for sale? 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. Do Chickens Get Lonely? Although guinea pigs need the presence of other guinea pigs, attention from human beings is also essential for their well-being. 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. Under normal circumstances, the sow will give birth and have a healthy litter of pups. Guinea Pigs May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming. The good news is that its unlikely for your pregnant pet to eat her offspring. The same goes for males. Not only that, but they also have a full body of fur, and even their little claws are developed. Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. Guinea pigs can eat a lot of different types of fruit. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. Although piggies are so cute, you cant always be there to have a staring contest with them. A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. Once the pups arrive, monitor them closely to make sure nursing is established within 12 hours. Hey there, I'm Angela. But, fruit should only be given as an occasional treat. Allowing siblings to breed also poses a risk of dangerous congenital disorders to their offspring. RSPCA Knowledgebase Let Australias most trusted animal welfare charity help you answer the big questions. Guinea pigs make the best mothers and give puppies the best chance of survival. Significantly, this is the age when pups will start to reach sexual maturity. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. However, separate male guinea pig babies from their mothers when they turn about two months old. Guinea pigs are different from many other species; they are born with teeth and fur, and almost immediately they can see and walk around. You can find a mentor by asking your local cavy club to put you in touch with suitable experienced breeders. 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). 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. We spent some time coming up with cute guinea pig names for our babies and decided upon the following; Moose, Aspen, Moon and Finn! I thought they would be born helpless and look like baby rats or hamsters with no fur and their eyes closed. If you carefully run a finger over the area, you should be able to feel the shaft of their penis under the skin. They reach their adult size very quickly. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. Yes, it is okay to touch your new baby guinea pigs. This article has been extensively revised for 2019. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. What about baby guinea pigs for adoption? Guinea pig babies are born quickly. 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. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? (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). There are different ways you can give your guinea pigs attention, and one of them is a good, old-fashioned daily petting session. How long do baby guinea pigs stay with Mom? If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. Common diseases in domestic guinea pigs include respiratory infections, diarrhea, itching, and boils due to infection (often the neck, throat, or external scratches). What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? However, you should err on the side of caution. 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. 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. Place one hand under their tummy and one behind their bottom, and hold the little guy close to you. Pregnant and lactating guinea pigs also need alfalfa hay to sustain their babies. If separated from their parents, they may become anxious and depressed. Guinea pigs can be aggressive towards each other if they are not adequately trained. Guinea pigs can typically handle labor and delivery without intervention; however, guinea pigs can die during the birthing process. 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. If the litter is too large, the mama . When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. 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. Between then and reaching their full adult weight several months later, you might hear them being described as juniors. Baby guinea pigs for adoption are usually a little cheaper than guinea pigs for sale, and often come with a clean bill of health from a vet. Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? So, if youve been wanting to know if guinea pigs usually miss their owners, we hope you have the answer now. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! Getting guinea pigs used to handling from an early age is an important part of rearing confident, relaxed pets. However, in captivity that shouldnt happen at all because responsible pet owners keep them separate from pregnant and lactating sows and their babies. Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. Theres no fixed moment when a guinea pig stops being a pup and becomes an adult. However, if its weak it might put up little resistance and be eaten entirely. This is an essential process as it helps to ensure that the young guinea pigs can develop properly. A mother guinea pig needs to clean the babies and eat the afterbirth to chemically generate the mammary glands to start producing milk. After giving birth, the mother guinea pig is likely to eat the placenta but can end up eating her babies by mistake. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. They are able to express a wide range of emotions using different sounds and gestures. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. And the result is that guinea pig babies are born already more mature than many other species. Guinea pig babies are actually called pups. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. Over the next 2 weeks, decrease the feeding time gradually. Preview / Show more . So as long as the enclosure is secure and the bars are tight, you should be fine. So, I took some time to do some research on it for you. Never again hear the dreaded sounds of your guinea pigs angry squeaks because you forgot to clean out their cage or feed them on timefor the fourth day in a row. 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. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. New Plymouth Vet Group. Some guinea pig moms have their maternity care kicked in as they give birth while others take some time . This is just enough space to allow the guinea pigs to escape. (2020, May 5). We hope you found this article helpful about what to expect when expecting newborn baby guinea pigs! Sometimes adults will do this with each other too. You will get a kick out of their eagerness to chase each other around and play, and maybe even start popcorning. Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat their babies. Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. Even though they share similar names, guinea pigs do not belong to either the dog or pig family. Im guessing you probably have a lot of questions about guinea pig pregnancies. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesn't recognize them as his own offspring. Well be discussing more about this in todays article. (n.d.). Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach Or Is It Bad For Them? How To Prevent a New Mother from Eating Her Babies? Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig. Theyre filled with Vitamin C and other essential nutrients that guinea pigs need. RELATED: CLICK HERE for tips on how to tame your guinea pig (step by step guide). Baby guinea pig care - The Guinea Pig Manual. Male baby guinea pigs have a donut-shaped genital opening in front of their anus. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. Breeding of guinea pigs is strongly discouraged. Its just as important that your baby guinea pig also spends most of their time with other guinea pigs. Wanna read something more boring than watching paint dry? To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. 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. Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. The act of cannibalism in guinea pigs is usually the mother trying to protect the rest of her litter from predators. Or at least make it a less dangerous one, for you, the guinea pig mother, and the baby piggies. (What Owners Need To Know), What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. Read Also: How Often to Clean Guinea Pig Cage. I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. 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. 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. They are basically saying . Most species clean their offspring with their tongue and so do your little friends. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. 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. A newborn guinea pig might weigh around 3.5 ounces or 100 grams. Guinea pigs have a good sense of hearing, so they will potentially even be able to hear you coming from down the hall. So, its possible for their mother (especially if shes inexperienced with babies) to kill them with too much force. Medical Disclaimer. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUniverseReflected The all natural Piggies Choice Hay Racks are available finally! Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. This is necessary to prevent pregnancy. Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over. Weaning age depends on several factors including the pups weight, the mothers milk supply, and the number of siblings. You can do a few things to help your guinea pig cope when youre not around. The surprising truth is that it happens more often than youd think. 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. In general, the color of Abyssinian guinea pigs is associated with congenital eye defects and digestive problems. They look a little bit awkward as they begin to move around. This can harm the guinea pigs health, as they may become stressed or depressed. Although they are able to conceive year-round, springtime is the peak window for baby guineas appearing on the scene. 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 . Put him back with his mother if he becomes vocal or squirmy. However, they can seriously injure them when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. Other causes of hair loss due to underlying medical conditions such as ovarian cysts may occur as a result of hormonal distress. You need to make the entire environment guinea pig-friendly.
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