This is because, in the wild, guinea pigs are usually found in herds, so you should try to create that level of interaction for your domesticated guinea pigs. It can be difficult to tell the difference between male and female guinea pigs under three weeks of age. Yes, it is okay to touch your new baby guinea pigs. 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 . Getting guinea pigs used to handling from an early age is an important part of rearing confident, relaxed pets. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140328-sloth-bear-zoo-infanticide-chimps-bonobos-animals, Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy: The Stages of Pregnancy. Where can I find baby guinea pigs for sale? If that happens in captivity, thats extremely rare. Try to provide your pet with the extra company as much as you can, even if only for a short period of time. Do guinea pigs remember their parents? 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. Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. Adult guinea pigs eat timothy hay, orchard hay, or any other hay thats high in fiber. But, only serve them as an occasional treat, because the high sugar and water content can cause health problems like obesity and diarrhea. 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. Do Guinea Pigs Recognize Their Name? (How to Teach Them) 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. Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. This is called precociality. Their tiny mouths already manage to contain 20 teeth, which grow continuously. You need to be able to provide your guinea pigs with regular ample attention all the 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. They are not cannibalistic because they are starving. They might surprise you with how busy and outgoing they are too. 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. Give the orphaned puppy the same amount of water and evaporated guinea pig milk. Guinea pigs make the best mothers and give puppies the best chance of survival. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Eat Their Young? All rights reserved. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. That is a common myth and is not true. (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 pigs weigh between 700 and 1200g. If you look after the guinea pig mother regularly, she will allow you to touch her baby guinea pigs. "Wheek" City. Guinea Pig Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. Place one hand under their tummy and one behind their bottom, and hold the little guy close to you. Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over. The act of cannibalism in guinea pigs is usually the mother trying to protect the rest of her litter from predators. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. These colorful, chore charts will help you keep track of when to feed your fuzz butts, clean their cages, and much more. Male baby guinea pigs have a donut-shaped genital opening in front of their anus. Guinea pigs dont hibernate, but they will slow down their metabolism and activity in order to stay warm, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? 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. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. Do Guinea Pigs Nurse Their Young? This Is What You Should Know! If it has not happened within the first 24 hours, it is very unlikely she will attempt to do it later on. However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. At worst, it can cause her to reject them. (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). We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that we could position it low enough for the babies to reach it. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. 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. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. Do Guinea Pigs Acknowledge Their Identify? (Easy methods to Train Them) When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. In order to have a peaceful pregnancy and birth, there are some things that you can do: Many people underestimate how much space a guinea pig needs, along with other types of rodents. Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. By the time theyre a month old, baby guinea pigs body shape rather resembles that of a syrian hamster. What about baby guinea pigs for adoption? (What You Need To Know)Continue. Make sure your pig has a lot of food. If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. Now, lets begin at the beginning. At six weeks old baby guineas pigs are fully weaned, and have stopped nursing from their mother. However, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not this is true. After three weeks, the baby guinea pig can be separated from its mother and placed with other guinea pigs or its owner. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups (as a general rule), so ideally you wouldn't want too many pups born at once. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. Although they spring out with open eyes and fully furred, piggie pups are still small and fragile at first. They will begin to wriggle and move about as soon as theyve been licked clean by their mom. 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. Although pet guinea pigs eating their pups is a very rare incident, it does happen sometimes. Even their own children. 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. Make sure she always has enough food. ), Guinea pigs can suffer from running lice. Their paws and head are comically outsized in proportion to their body, and they already have a full coat of fur. This is one of the biggest reasons why a sow will engage in filial cannibalism. Guinea Pig Animal Facts | Cavia porcellus - AZ Animals All of the babies are usually born within 30 minutes once labor begins. Sufficient nutrition, a mixture of alfalfa and timothy grass, keeps female guinea pigs hydrated and can prevent guinea pigs from eating their babies. Hey there, I'm Angela. You cannot do any harm by touching your adult guinea pig or its babies. Yes, guinea pigs like stuffed, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? Sometimes, male Guinea pigs will eat pups if they were fathered by another cavy. Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. Yet, the mother guinea pig will take care of them during the first few weeks, so dont separate them from her. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. Here you'll find the juicy goods to care for your little friends WITHOUT making your brain short-circuit. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. 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. However, you should err on the side of caution. Keep the male guinea pig separate from his female partner to keep her safe and reduce the stress. Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. Read Also: How Often to Clean Guinea Pig Cage. New Plymouth Vet Group. How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter? In general, most female guinea pigs who survives birth and delivery will and raise her litter without any issues. I thought they would be born helpless and look like baby rats or hamsters with no fur and their eyes closed. (Find Out Now)Continue. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. Walter or Bob These guinea pigs sound like they should be wearing business suits on Wall Street. Find The Best Deals on Your Favorite guinea pig Products and Save! Their compact, cylindrical bodies range from 8 to 10 inches . Caring for baby guinea pigs can be a rewarding experience if you know what to expect. Coming up with a cute guinea pig name is a lot of fun, but can be tough. We were stressed out during this time because we did not want to have another unexpected guinea pig pregnancy. Although guinea pigs need the presence of other guinea pigs, attention from human beings is also essential for their well-being. We hope you found this article helpful about what to expect when expecting newborn baby guinea pigs! Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. Theyre filled with Vitamin C and other essential nutrients that guinea pigs need. This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs. Its important to know what signs to look out for so you can keep your piggies happy and healthy. So, pet parents should be cautious and prepared when dealing with pregnant sows. Well, your guess is as good as mine guinea pigs sure miss their owners when theyre absent for so long. If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? In general, the color of Abyssinian guinea pigs is associated with congenital eye defects and digestive problems. (700 to 1,100 grams), according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. (n.d.). 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. 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. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. You can also give them a comfortable place to sleep, like a bed or hammock. This should reduce their spatial and jealous tendency. The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. Yes, guinea pigs do mourn. 2 3 cups mostly green, leafy vegetables, Occasional fruit too much sugar can lead to obesity. How long does it take for a baby guinea pig to walk? Significantly, this is the age when pups will start to reach sexual maturity. 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. Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. CLICK HERE to check the price. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. 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?) 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. A male guinea pig might seriously injure his babies because he is territorial and feels intimidated. Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. So as long as the enclosure is secure and the bars are tight, you should be fine. We knew for sure that we had one male and two females, but it was still hard for us to tell with the fourth guinea pig. 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. 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. 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. Guinea pigs form close bonds with their families and can be very attached to their parents. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. 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. Newborn Guinea Pig Babies 10 Minutes Old! - YouTube So your guinea pig is pregnant. Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. The causes are different for each species. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. When the pregnant guinea pig is about to give birth, the male guinea pig must be separated from her because, within 12 hours after giving birth, she can become pregnant again. Thankfully, she had an uneventful pregnancy and birth and did not eat her babies. Besides, always separate baby guinea pigs from male guinea pigs. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? The more factors that are present, the higher likelihood shell eat her pups. To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? (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! Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. Once they are one to two finger-widths apart, it wont be long untilbirth.. In most cases, guinea pigs won't miss you if you decide to leave them in the home instead of taking them with you for camping. To pick up your guinea pig move slowly and gently pick him up with two hands. New babies are born with teeth, claws, and fur. 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. 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. Guinea pigs can typically handle labor and delivery without intervention; however, guinea pigs can die during the birthing process. Guinea pigs are not capable of "missing". But, fruit should only be given as an occasional treat. Baby guinea pig care - The Guinea Pig Manual. Expect to pay around $10 to $40 on average, though this can vary depending on factors such as age and coloring. Dont be surprised if your pup lets out a little chirp as a means of asking for food! By six weeks of age baby guinea pigs are self-sufficient and fully weaned. Neutering is A LOT less risky for males than spaying is for females. But, when a pet parent has makes an intentional choice to breed, its really not worth the risk in most cases. Make sure to feed your guinea pig hay of high quality. (Find Out Now)Continue, Choosing the right materials to use a as a cage liner for your guinea pigs cage can seem daunting especially when youre a new pet parent. Whats your experience with newborn baby guinea pigs? Baby guinea pigs are called pups. Sometimes adults will do this with each other too. This is for several reasons: You should find this post helpful: Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. Weaning age depends on several factors including the pups weight, the mothers milk supply, and the number of siblings. This is pretty rare. Its also the age of the youngest baby guinea pigs in pet stores. Wanna read something more boring than watching paint dry? Begin by holding your guinea pig gently on their back. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? Calcium is very important for baby piggies as they are growing and developing. Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Babies - Midnight Pets But, can guinea pigs eat them? If they are isolated, they may become lonely and sad. This is where they learn how to bond and behave in a herd. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. Newborn guinea pigs can open their eyes after they are born. The mother may eat her babies if one or more of her litter dies, or she is under a lot of stress. Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. Usually, the mother will eat the baby right after it's born. Owning Guinea Pigs | VCA Animal Hospital If youre going to be away for an extended period, you may also want to consider finding a friend or family member to care for your guinea pig in your absence. They can impregnate mom and sisters! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by my readers, but it doesn't cost you anything at all. Yes, guinea pigs do eat their babies. This way, your guinea pig will not feel the need for extra nutrition. Guinea Pig Facts | Live Science Wed love to hear about your experiences in the comment section below! Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. 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 blog will give you some helpful tips on how to make this a wonderful experience. 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. Do guinea pigs hurt their babies? - Your Wisdom Tips Always consult your vet if you think a baby guinea pig overly small, or failing to thrive. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. Guinea pig pregnancy seems short to us, but in fact it lasts a remarkably long time for their size. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. A mother guinea pig can eat her babies if one of the babies is born dead. How to Care for a Pet Guinea Pig - The Spruce Pets 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. 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. Also, they should have unlimited amounts of timothy hay and water all the time. Six or seven weeks old is the age at which most breeders will let their pups go to their new homes. But most people think of it as being around four weeks old, when they reach sexual maturity. If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn babies. We spent some time coming up with cute guinea pig names for our babies and decided upon the following; Moose, Aspen, Moon and Finn! Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. If your guinea pig becomes acquainted with someone they don't trust, they may become quiet or hide when that person is nearby. You have entered an incorrect email address! National Geographic. What Are Common Health Problems in Guinea Pigs? 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. 4. 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. Guinea pig litters can contain up to eight pups, but two, three or four is more usual. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip Greens? 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. However, some people have asked whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies after they have been separated. However, if its weak it might put up little resistance and be eaten entirely. But, stick with me. (What Owners Need To Know)Continue, If you notice drool on your guinea pigs face it can be a sign that somethings wrong. They have small bodies and big eyes. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. Many people believe that male guinea pigs eat their babies as well. It was fascinating to watch our new mom clean up after her newborn baby guinea pigs. Do Guinea Pigs Remember Their Siblings, Names, Owners & More It is important to make sure that the pups begin nursing within the first few hours of birth. This often happens when owners of female guinea pigs discover an unplanned pregnancy and arent able to care for all the babies. Let's hear it for the boys. But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! Many living creatures eat other members of their species when necessary for survival. Many others survive but have problems.Additionally, theres thousands (if not tens of thousands) of piggies without good homes now. Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. And guinea pigs are quite fertile little creatures too! MY GUINEA PIG HAD BABIES - YouTube In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig. If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. Berryman, J. C., Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Ethology, 1976. Newborn Baby Guinea Pig Care - family-medical.net https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. https://amzn.to/3iYcPHPAs well as the new Pigg. Cage size Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape? How long before you can handle baby guinea pigs? Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies - And How To Prevent It! 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. 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. Having a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. When you decide to introduce baby guinea pigs to an adult guinea pig, follow their behavior (monitor them for aggression) and respond quickly. Secondly, even an experienced guinea pig mom might resort to eating her young if she is severely malnourished. Some guinea pigs are more likely to nuzzle or groom people or other guinea pigs. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). We used fleece bedding which we spot cleaned throughout the day by removing poop and leftover food. They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. If your guinea pig consistently has enough extra food, the chances of her needing to eat her pups drop to near zero. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? (The Surprising Truth) You will get a kick out of their eagerness to chase each other around and play, and maybe even start popcorning. Its natural for you and me to humanize the behavior of animals.