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. Whereas there are over 13 Guinea Pig breeds, English, Abyssinian, and Peruvian Guinea Pigs are the most well-liked. I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. If your guinea pig consistently has enough extra food, the chances of her needing to eat her pups drop to near zero. 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. Most guinea pigs cages are designed for adult guinea pigs with a one inch space between the bars. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. On the other hand if youll be helping a sow to raise a litter of pups from birth, theres rather more to think about. The average guinea pig gestation is 59 72 days. What is always important is to provide your pet guinea pigs with the best living conditions for the survival of the mother and the babies. If your guinea pig becomes restless or starts to squeak loudly it is a sign that he is ready to go back to his cage. After three weeks, the baby guinea pig can be separated from its mother and placed with other guinea pigs or its owner. After giving birth, the mother guinea pig is likely to eat the placenta but can end up eating her babies by mistake. (Find Out Now). 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? (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. Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. Guinea pigs diet rests on grasses, herbs, hay, and raw fruits and vegetables. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. (Such as blood and remaining body parts). Keep the male guinea pig separate from his female partner to keep her safe and reduce the stress. We hope youve enjoyed this in depth article about cute baby guinea pigs!Guinea pig pups are quite unlike most other baby animals. B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. They look a little bit awkward as they begin to move around. Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. 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. See Also: Care Show details Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. Newborn guinea pigs can open their eyes after they are born. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. Yet, the mother guinea pig will take care of them during the first few weeks, so dont separate them from her. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUniverseReflected The all natural Piggies Choice Hay Racks are available finally! Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat their babies. To avoid the risk of your guinea pig, eating her babies, take these safety steps. If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. (2010, July 22). Yes, female guinea pigs do nurse their young for a few weeks after birth. If that happens in captivity, thats extremely rare. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. The next thing you need to take care of is that make sure that their cages are heavy, comfortable, and not escapable. So, I took some time to do some research on it for you. Lots of small animals (think rats and rabbits) have reputations for being prolific breeders. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups (as a general rule), so ideally you wouldn't want too many pups born at once. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. Wheek: The shrill noise a guinea pig or other small rodent makes. Do not over-handle the mother or you could cause her stress which will lead . Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. But, if one or more of her litter is stillborn, she may eat it. It can be hard to tell when your pregnant guinea pig is going to deliver her babies because unlike dogs and cats, they do not prepare a nest. Walter or Bob These guinea pigs sound like they should be wearing business suits on Wall Street. This article has been extensively revised for 2019. 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. Its understandable to feel that way. Even their own children. How To Prevent a New Mother from Eating Her Babies? What about baby guinea pigs for adoption? Youre gonna want to read this. Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. (2020, May 5). Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Bear in mind this doesnt necessarily mean she is dangerously thin. If it has not happened within the first 24 hours, it is very unlikely she will attempt to do it later on. If you carefully run a finger over the area, you should be able to feel the shaft of their penis under the skin. The largest guinea pig litter recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records contained a whopping 17 pups! In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig. And within a few hours nursing should be established. When baby guinea pigs grow up the males are called boars and the females are called sows. Simon or George More classic goodies. Individuals will be starting to show their own distinct personalities too. (n.d.). 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. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. When a guinea pig is about to give birth, any male guinea pigs near her will gather around and try to become the dominant male in order to both protect the female and mate with her. 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. If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? 9. How do you tell if a baby guinea pig is a boy or girl? If you have decided youre ready to take the plunge and welcome a new baby guinea pig into your life, take a look at our article Where To Buy Guinea Pigs to start your journey. At those moments, the guinea pig mother can be very protective and you can be mistaken for a potential predator. However, if its weak it might put up little resistance and be eaten entirely. 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. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, Pregnancy toxemia in Guinea pigs. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. However, you shouldnt touch the babies right after they are born. After your guinea pig has given birth, shell clean up the evidence left behind to stop predators from tracking down their scent. If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. Also, they should have unlimited amounts of timothy hay and water all the time. It is famously difficult to sex baby rodents, so the easiest way to be sure which of your pups are girls and which are boys is to ask a more experienced mentor, or a vet, to help you. Hey there, I'm Angela. Dont be surprised if your pup lets out a little chirp as a means of asking for food! On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. 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. Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. Just like with taming older guinea pigs be patient and consistent. Guinea pigs eat their babies not because they want to kill them for food but for other reasons. (What Owners Need To Know), What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? You can find a mentor by asking your local cavy club to put you in touch with suitable experienced breeders. 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. Squeaks, Scales and Tails is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC an affiliate advertising program. Breeding of guinea pigs is strongly discouraged. Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. 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. It was fascinating to watch our new mom clean up after her newborn baby guinea pigs. Alternatively, you can contact local small animal shelters and ask if they have any baby guinea pigs for adoption. Other causes of hair loss due to underlying medical conditions such as ovarian cysts may occur as a result of hormonal distress. In some cases, guinea pigs may lick or try to groom you as a sign of affection. We found the following cage on Amazon that worked really well. Calcium is very important for baby piggies as they are growing and developing. If the litter is too large, the mama . Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? Be prepared to assess them quickly, because they wont like to be held in that position for long! Baby guinea pigs feed on their mothers milk but soon they will need lots of alfalfa hay thats rich in calcium. 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. There are, Read More 7 Alarming Reasons Why Guinea Pigs DroolContinue, What fruits can guinea pigs eat? It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. of 2-4. 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. RSPCA Knowledgebase Let Australias most trusted animal welfare charity help you answer the big questions. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Continue to give milk to puppies for 21 days even when they start eating solid food. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. The more factors that are present, the higher likelihood shell eat her pups. From the moment they are born they are unusually mature and capable of looking after themselves. Its important to know what signs to look out for so you can keep your piggies happy and healthy. Mange worms (Trichocross cavia) are a common cause of hair loss, and other symptoms may include excessive scratching, abnormal aggression when being touched, and, in some cases, seizures. The male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies is important because he helps keep them warm and protects them from predators. If you have an affectionate male guinea pig, you can introduce the babies when they are in the same cage. Although they are capable of eating almost immediately, baby guineas do still need to nurse and they will seek milk about every two hours. A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. They are able to express a wide range of emotions using different sounds and gestures. Donnelly, T. M. and Brown, C. J., Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry, Veterinary Clinics Exotic Animal Practice, 2004. Make sure to separate your male guinea pigs from females in their litter too. First of all, dont be too hard on yourself. Each birth is spaced out every 3 5 minutes. Remember to remove any they leave, as it will spoil quickly. Besides, always separate baby guinea pigs from male guinea pigs. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. Use the tips in this post to understand why piggies eat their babies and to prevent it from happening. The sow eating her pups may be starving. However, separate male guinea pig babies from their mothers when they turn about two months old. 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. Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. RELATED: CLICK HERE for 99 cute guinea pig names to help you choose. One reason why a guinea pig mother might eat one of her pups is that she is extremely malnourished. Guinea pigs are not capable of "missing". If you push gently on their lower abdomen the penis may appear. Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. "Wheek" City. (Keep that food bowl appropriately full!) Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Guinea pig babies are born looking like mini versions of their mama. Feed the guinea pig pups for the first 5 days around the clock every 4 to 5 hours. Besides, guinea pigs should eat about 1/8 of pellets, and about a cup of a mixture of herbs, vegetables, and fruits, but all in moderate amounts. If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. 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. So, pet parents should be cautious and prepared when dealing with pregnant sows. Baby guinea pigs are called pups. A mother guinea pig can eat her babies if one of the babies is born dead. They are cheerful and love to run around, squeak, eat, play, and poop. We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. (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. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. A female guinea pig usually wont eat a baby guinea pig deliberately. So, its possible for their mother (especially if shes inexperienced with babies) to kill them with too much force. Watch this video to learn more about guinea pig. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. Even then, they must be handled very gently. Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. This is an essential process as it helps to ensure that the young guinea pigs can develop properly. Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. This will stop the mother from continuing to feed on them, and it will prevent the risk of diseases through decomposition. They have learned quite a few life skills from their mother and are ready to go to their new homes. There is a chance that your sow will only partially eat her offspring, particularly if she killed them by accident. Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. Once they are one to two finger-widths apart, it wont be long untilbirth.. Guinea Pig Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? Some guinea pigs are more likely to nuzzle or groom people or other guinea pigs. 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. At worst, it can cause her to reject them. My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. 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. Guinea pigs are peaceful creatures. They need supervised time out of their cages each day to run around and exercise. A female needs to give birth for the first time before the age of 7 months. 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. Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. Guinea pigs can eat their babies if they lack nutrition. Although pet guinea pigs eating their pups is a very rare incident, it does happen sometimes. Make sure any seller houses male and female guinea pigs separately, or there could be a chance you'll take home a pregnant female. 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?) You have to remember that these babies are coming out of the womb ready to run around the cage and have fun very quickly. Do not disturb your guinea pigs when they are sleeping or nursing.