Read Also: How Often to Clean Guinea Pig Cage. When you do approach the a baby guinea pig, be careful to move slowly and gently. (Find Out Now), https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140328-sloth-bear-zoo-infanticide-chimps-bonobos-animals, https://lakeshorepethospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Guinea_Pig_Pregnancy.pdf, Removing the male guinea pig(s) will also. Guinea pig pregnancies are dangerous and the mortality rate is high both among guinea pig mothers and babies. Lets take a closer look at this exciting topic. Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. Once they are one to two finger-widths apart, it wont be long untilbirth.. Where can I find baby guinea pigs for sale? I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. If one or two guinea pig pups suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten, especially if its been more than twenty four hours. 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. If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? The causes are different for each species. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig. Your Baby Guinea Pig What To Expect And How To Look How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? Guinea pig babies are actually called pups. This usually happens when pups are stillborn, or born to ill to survive. A mother guinea pig needs to clean the babies and eat the afterbirth to chemically generate the mammary glands to start producing milk. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. Or at least make it a less dangerous one, for you, the guinea pig mother, and the baby piggies. Bear in mind this doesnt necessarily mean she is dangerously thin. 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. Just like with taming older guinea pigs be patient and consistent. They might surprise you with how busy and outgoing they are too. At worst, it can cause her to reject them. Allowing siblings to breed also poses a risk of dangerous congenital disorders to their offspring. Equally, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their babies because they dont eat meat. Newborn guinea pigs weigh only 100 grams but they grow quickly. They need to stay with their mother guinea pigs and suck their milk, but they will quickly become active. Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. Do everything you can to fulfill the wants and needs of the pregnant female, to make her feel safe and comfortable. 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. After three weeks, baby guinea pigs can be separated from their mother and placed with other guinea pigs or their owner. Other causes of hair loss due to underlying medical conditions such as ovarian cysts may occur as a result of hormonal distress. Guinea pigs eating babies is a rare but possible occurrence. Guinea pigs are also notorious communicators, and they start vocalising from babyhood. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Theres no fixed moment when a guinea pig stops being a pup and becomes an adult. Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over. Guinea pigs form close bonds with their families and can be very attached to their parents. Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. Its important to know what signs to look out for so you can keep your piggies happy and healthy. If you have a pregnant guinea pig, consider giving the her cage an upgrade, so she can take care of her pups comfortably. 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. Use the tips in this post to understand why piggies eat their babies and to prevent it from happening. Guinea pig babies are called "pups" when they are born and are birthed into litters. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUniverseReflected The all natural Piggies Choice Hay Racks are available finally! Show some tender feelings towards your guinea pig. Guinea Pigs do best when living with at least one similar companion, and pets that live without another Guinea pig sometimes become lonely and depressed. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. Once they die, she might eat them. In general, most female guinea pigs who survives birth and delivery will and raise her litter without any issues. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesn't recognize them as his own offspring. Guinea pigs can eat a lot of different types of fruit. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. They are cheerful and love to run around, squeak, eat, play, and poop. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. On the other hand, if it turns out that they don't form any attachment to their young, then we can . About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . To pick up your guinea pig move slowly and gently pick him up with two hands. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. 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. 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. 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. First of all, dont be too hard on yourself. We try to conform to the same standards and expectations when it comes to animal interactions and instincts. Piglet Okay, so it's not that clever. This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs. Female guinea pigs dont intentionally eat their babies nor do they kill them to eat them. Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. This is one of the biggest reasons why a sow will engage in filial cannibalism. Sufficient nutrition, a mixture of alfalfa and timothy grass, keeps female guinea pigs hydrated and can prevent guinea pigs from eating their babies. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. 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. No matter how cute baby guinea pigs are, one litter at a time should be plenty for most people to think about. 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. 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. The average lifespan of the guinea pig is four or five years, but it can live much longer. 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. Many people believe that male guinea pigs eat their babies as well. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? Sows sometimes give birth during the night. If that happens in captivity, thats extremely rare. Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. This will stop the mother from continuing to feed on them, and it will prevent the risk of diseases through decomposition. If the litter is too large, the mama . The same goes for males. While it is a hard thing to think about, it can happen. 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. 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 pigs are different from many other species; they are born with teeth and fur, and almost immediately they can see and walk around. If you are unsure, it is best to consult with a veterinarian to help determine the sex of the pups. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that we could position it low enough for the babies to reach it. And of course, when you run a finger over the area, you wont feel a penis! From the moment they are born they are unusually mature and capable of looking after themselves. You might even have witnessed them start to join in with social grooming by this point. An inexperienced sow might accidentally damage her young with her teeth whilst trying to clean them up after the birth. Guinea pig babies can walk, see, and hear, as soon as they are born, and most start nibbling on solid foods within a few days. New Plymouth Vet Group. Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. (Find Out Now), Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? 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. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. This often happens when owners of female guinea pigs discover an unplanned pregnancy and arent able to care for all the babies. The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn babies. If her diet doesnt contain enough vital vitamins and nutrients, she can still be malnourished whilst receiving enough calories to maintain her body weight. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. However, in captivity that shouldnt happen at all because responsible pet owners keep them separate from pregnant and lactating sows and their babies. Guinea pigs can recognize their owners and other people they know and trust. Prepare to separate the male and female baby guinea pigs by at least three weeks of age. Many living creatures eat other members of their species when necessary for survival. Wed love to hear from you in the comments below. Although they are able to conceive year-round, springtime is the peak window for baby guineas appearing on the scene. Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. In almost all species, males are inherently territorial. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? 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. Housing your guinea pig is not particularly difficult, as there are a large variety of hutches and cages commercially available. If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. Adult guinea pigs eat timothy hay, orchard hay, or any other hay thats high in fiber. Bartesaghi, R., Severi, S., Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Neuroscience, 2004. Additionally, when her babies are born she may eat them in order to prevent them from taking up the little space she has. So, pet parents should be cautious and prepared when dealing with pregnant sows. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. 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. Thats what they do while also making your life a much brighter place. Do Chickens Get Lonely? They reach their adult size very quickly. Although they spring out with open eyes and fully furred, piggie pups are still small and fragile at first. Sometimes it happens accidentally. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common.A female can give birth to up to 5 litters per year. That way she doesnt have to deal with the stress of more pregnancies. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. Make sure any seller houses male and female guinea pigs separately, or there could be a chance you'll take home a pregnant female. ClickHEREfor a peek at my disclosure. The average guinea pig gestation is 59 72 days. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. For the first 2-3 weeks , they will rely on their mother for milk. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. These colorful, chore charts will help you keep track of when to feed your fuzz butts, clean their cages, and much more. This way, your guinea pig will not feel the need for extra nutrition. How long before you can handle baby guinea pigs? Thankfully, its only done when the mother feels she doesnt have any other option. In the meantime, the best thing you can do is provide your guinea pig with plenty of love and attention, so it doesnt feel lonely. A female guinea pig usually wont eat a baby guinea pig deliberately. Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. (n.d.). Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. Baby guinea pigs are called pups. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long. (n.d.). They can impregnate mom and sisters! Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. An average sized pup measures around 3 to 5 inches at birth, and very cylindrical roughly the size of a tangerine in fact! Many others survive but have problems.Additionally, theres thousands (if not tens of thousands) of piggies without good homes now. Place the cage in a quiet, draft-free area your home that is out of direct sunlight. National Geographic. (Find Out Now). If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. Some say that they do not form the same type of attachment as other animals, while others believe that they do experience a certain level of sadness after their young have been weaned. Guinea pigs diet rests on grasses, herbs, hay, and raw fruits and vegetables. Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. If this happens, you should immediately remove the dead babies and dispose of them appropriately. male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies, guinea pigs can get attached to their owners. Garner-Richardson, V., Guinea Pig Nutrition, The Veterinary Nurse, 2013. 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. 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. Continue to give milk to puppies for 21 days even when they start eating solid food. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. Guinea Pigs May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming. One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. 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? Baby guinea pigs typically stay with their mother for about three weeks, but this can vary depending on the situation. Usually, the mother will eat the baby right after it's born. This way they can easily confuse their predator and a group of guinea pigs doing this is known as a stampede.. 2 3 cups mostly green, leafy vegetables, Occasional fruit too much sugar can lead to obesity. 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. RELATED: CLICK HERE for tips on how to tame your guinea pig (step by step guide). Hey there, I'm Angela. Secondly, even an experienced guinea pig mom might resort to eating her young if she is severely malnourished. Explain to them that they have not been replaced or that their babies have replaced your guinea pig. 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. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. the babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. Expect to pay around $10 to $40 on average, though this can vary depending on factors such as age and coloring. 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?) 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. Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. 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. 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. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. We read that the bedding needs to be changed daily. Any sudden movement or noise can scare them. She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. Guinea pig babies are born looking like mini versions of their mama. (Find Out Now). She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. One under his chest and one under his bottom. Its important to remember that guinea pigs are prey animals and they can get intimidated very easily. How do you tell if a baby guinea pig is a boy or girl? Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? Guinea pigs and other rodents do not eat their babies because they are hungry. For instance, most rats eat their babies. Breeding and reproduction of Guinea pigs All other pets Merck veterinary manual. I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups (as a general rule), so ideally you wouldn't want too many pups born at once. If your guinea pig consistently has enough extra food, the chances of her needing to eat her pups drop to near zero. So, what is the answer? Do guinea pigs miss their babies? During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: This was one question that had me really worried. We hope you found this article helpful about what to expect when expecting newborn baby guinea pigs! This can be very misleading especially when it comes to motherhood as many animals eat their offspring in certain circumstances. 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. When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. They are able to express a wide range of emotions using different sounds and gestures. Place one hand under their tummy and one behind their bottom, and hold the little guy close to you. The mother may eat her babies if one or more of her litter dies, or she is under a lot of stress. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesnt recognize them as his own offspring. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip Greens? 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. Im guessing you probably have a lot of questions about guinea pig pregnancies. Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. The surprising truth is that it happens more often than youd think. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. While guinea pigs are usually docile, friendly and social creatures, adult males should not be around the babies under any circumstances. Neutering is A LOT less risky for males than spaying is for females. Most people find that, when it comes to guinea pigs at least, babies are the cutest. Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. So the remaining milestones left to look for relate to growth, feeding, behavior and sexual maturity. If your guinea pig becomes acquainted with someone they don't trust, they may become quiet or hide when that person is nearby. 11811 Shaker Blvd, #204, PMB 289Cleveland, Ohio 44120(216) 912-6291. Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. We spent some time coming up with cute guinea pig names for our babies and decided upon the following; Moose, Aspen, Moon and Finn! 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. It is also quite normal for baby guinea pigs to whine when approached by a much bigger and older guinea pig. Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. Individuals will be starting to show their own distinct personalities too. Some guinea pigs are more likely to nuzzle or groom people or other guinea pigs. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. Begin by holding your guinea pig gently on their back. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. Guinea pigs weigh between 700 and 1200g. Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape the enclosure? Hold him against your chest to help him feel secure and safe. When you decide to introduce baby guinea pigs to an adult guinea pig, follow their behavior (monitor them for aggression) and respond quickly. Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. "Wheek" City. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. Always consult your vet if you think a baby guinea pig overly small, or failing to thrive. Before making this assumption, consider the following possibilities: Unfortunately, the evidence of your sow eating her babies might be obvious. When you pick them up secure one hand beneath the stomach and one under the bottom and hold close to your chest. Spaying a female guinea pig can be a risky procedure that not all veterinarians are willing to attempt. Like babies of all species, cute baby guinea pigs are tiny and winsome. If you carefully run a finger over the area, you should be able to feel the shaft of their penis under the skin. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. Can Rabbits Eat Grapes Pros And Cons of Grapes For Rabbits. It's particularly common when introducing new guinea pigs for the first time. (Fun Facts). Keep in mind that guinea pigs are not the best choice to raise other female guinea pigs babies. RSPCA Knowledgebase Let Australias most trusted animal welfare charity help you answer the big questions. Its understandable to feel that way. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. The best time to breed guinea pigs is before the female turns 7 months of age. Their compact, cylindrical bodies range from 8 to 10 inches . Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. However, they will continue to feed on their mothers milk as well. If you are a new guinea pig parent or have an unexpected pregnancy like we did, you too may have lots of questions about newborn baby guinea pigs. If they are isolated, they may become lonely and sad. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. Check out these most popular guinea pig products on the market: Last update on 2023-02-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. When they grow up, male guinea pigs are called boars, and females are called sows.
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