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. How long does it take for a baby guinea pig to walk? Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. How Few Is Too Few? They have learned quite a few life skills from their mother and are ready to go to their new homes. This should reduce their spatial and jealous tendency. They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. Whereas there are over 13 Guinea Pig breeds, English, Abyssinian, and Peruvian Guinea Pigs are the most well-liked. She is more likely to eat her babies as she can confuse the placenta and the babies. Newborn guinea pigs can open their eyes after they are born. We spent some time coming up with cute guinea pig names for our babies and decided upon the following; Moose, Aspen, Moon and Finn! Make sure your pig has a lot of food. I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. One reason why a guinea pig mother might eat one of her pups is that she is extremely malnourished. Wheek: The shrill noise a guinea pig or other small rodent makes. (What You Need To Know), Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? However, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their young at all because guinea pigs are herbivores. They are able to express a wide range of emotions using different sounds and gestures. Caring for a guinea pig can be challenging if you are unsure whether it is missing its baby. If you have an affectionate male guinea pig, you can introduce the babies when they are in the same cage. Although they spring out with open eyes and fully furred, piggie pups are still small and fragile at first. Do everything you can to fulfill the wants and needs of the pregnant female, to make her feel safe and comfortable. It is okay for you to handle the pups during the nursing period. Many living creatures eat other members of their species when necessary for survival. A mix of alfalfa and timothy hay could keep the mother full and prevent this from happening. Like babies of all species, cute baby guinea pigs are tiny and winsome. Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. Yes, it is okay to touch your new baby guinea pigs. Try to provide your pet with the extra company as much as you can, even if only for a short period of time. To understand why a guinea pig mother killing and gobbling up her offspring is so rare and why its still a possibility (although it is a long shot), you need to know a little bit about the dynamics of. Just being near their most preferred people can give guinea pigs a lot of comfort. 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. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. It is essential for guinea pigs to have social contact with other guinea pigs. Bear in mind this doesnt necessarily mean she is dangerously thin. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. 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. Other causes of hair loss due to underlying medical conditions such as ovarian cysts may occur as a result of hormonal distress. Secondly, even an experienced guinea pig mom might resort to eating her young if she is severely malnourished. Under normal circumstances, the sow will give birth and have a healthy litter of pups. 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. Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. Coming up with a cute guinea pig name is a lot of fun, but can be tough. More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. However, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not this is true. Baby guinea pigs are unique in that they are born with their eyes open! Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. And if you push very gently, the penis might appear. Clements, M. and Kelly, J. However, we always recommend having more than one guinea pig because these small animals are social creatures and they need company. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. Kind, K.L., Chronic maternal feed restriction impairs growth but increases adiposity of the fetal guinea pig, American Journal of Physiology, 2005. When you touch them be soft and gentle. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. Breeding and Reproduction of Guinea Pigs - All Other Pets - Merck Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip Greens? Male guinea pigs are more likely to harm their babies but they shouldnt eat them. Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. How do you tell if a baby guinea pig is a boy or girl? Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. Its normal to be upset and sad. Three weeks marks the earliest point at which pups may stop nursing from their mother. Guinea pig babies are born very quickly. No matter how cute baby guinea pigs are, one litter at a time should be plenty for most people to think about. The best time to breed guinea pigs is before the female turns 7 months of age. After giving birth, the mother guinea pig is likely to eat the placenta but can end up eating her babies by mistake. The sow needs this time to focus on nursing her living babies, and you need to create an environment that will allow her to do this. Newborn Guinea Pig Babies 10 Minutes Old! - YouTube Guinea pigs diet rests on grasses, herbs, hay, and raw fruits and vegetables. 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? Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame. Preview / Show more . 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. The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. You will get a kick out of their eagerness to chase each other around and play, and maybe even start popcorning. Weaning age depends on several factors including the pups weight, the mothers milk supply, and the number of siblings. What Are Common Health Problems in Guinea Pigs? Yes, female guinea pigs do nurse their young for a few weeks after birth. We know that guinea pigs typically stay with their baby for about three weeks. Be prepared to assess them quickly, because they wont like to be held in that position for long! Youre gonna want to read this. 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. 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. 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. After three weeks, the baby guinea pig can be separated from its mother and placed with other guinea pigs or its owner. Here are some things we had to think about when we found out our guinea pig was pregnant: We adhered to the following recommended feeding guidelines for pregnant guinea pigs: RELATED: CLICK HERE to read about our unexpected guinea pig pregnancy and how to tell if your guinea pig is pregnant. The causes are different for each species. Since their gestation lasts just 59-73 days, a female guinea pig is capable in theory of bearing five or even six litters a year. Guinea pig pregnancy seems short to us, but in fact it lasts a remarkably long time for their size. Guinea pigs definitely can eat clementines. 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. If your sow is in a very small enclosure, this could cause her unnecessary stress. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesnt recognize them as his own offspring. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. 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. This is a question that many guinea pig owners have. Dont be surprised if your pup lets out a little chirp as a means of asking for food! How To Prevent a New Mother from Eating Her Babies? And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. When they dont respond to her attention, she tries cleaning them more and more vigorously, until eventually she ends up damaging them. of 2-4. (Find Out Now). Guinea pigs eating babies is a rare but possible occurrence. I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. i've been keeping this a secret for over a week now!! Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig. 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. If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. Guinea pigs and other rodents do not eat their babies because they are hungry. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. However, too much calcium is dangerous for an adult guinea pig. 9. Simon or George More classic goodies. For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. Although they are able to conceive year-round, springtime is the peak window for baby guineas appearing on the scene. And the result is that guinea pig babies are born already more mature than many other species. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. But, can guinea pigs eat them? What about baby guinea pigs for adoption? Their tiny mouths already manage to contain 20 teeth, which grow continuously. Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. It is important to make sure that the pups begin nursing within the first few hours of birth. Each birth is spaced out every 3 5 minutes. Well be discussing more about this in todays article. Newborn Guinea Pigs - What You Should Avoid - Guinea Pig Site https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. Wed love to hear from you in the comments below. Garner-Richardson, V., Guinea Pig Nutrition, The Veterinary Nurse, 2013. Most experts believe that guinea pigs are relatively emotionally resilient creatures and are unlikely to suffer significant emotional distress due to being separated from their young. Before making this assumption, consider the following possibilities: Unfortunately, the evidence of your sow eating her babies might be obvious. 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. They reach their adult size very quickly. Any guinea pig lover would approve. If you keep a male guinea pig with the mother and babies, introduce them slowly, so there is no aggression between the two adults. Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. 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. Following delivery, your guinea pig mama will be exhausted and hungry. If you are unsure, it is best to consult with a veterinarian to help determine the sex of the pups. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUniverseReflected The all natural Piggies Choice Hay Racks are available finally! Although guinea pigs occasionally sneeze, frequent sneezing is a sign of pneumonia, especially in response to climate change. Ahhhh, clementines. So your guinea pig is pregnant. Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. They look a little bit awkward as they begin to move around. When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? Do guinea pigs remember their parents? It is rare, but it does happen. 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. It is perfectly fine to handle your new guinea pigs within the first week. 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. Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort. Pneumonia can occur with torticollis and can be fatal. 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. At six weeks old baby guineas pigs are fully weaned, and have stopped nursing from their mother. A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. Give the orphaned puppy the same amount of water and evaporated guinea pig milk. If you handle a baby bird in a nest, the mother will often abandon them because she'll sense something isn't right (i.e. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? This website was inspired by our guinea pig pair, Theo and Remmy, and is our familys journey to becoming the best guinea pig parents. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. It can be difficult to tell the difference between male and female guinea pigs under three weeks of age. This is especially true for mammalian animals, who often form strong attachments with their young. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? Significantly, this is the age when pups will start to reach sexual maturity. Sufficient nutrition, a mixture of alfalfa and timothy grass, keeps female guinea pigs hydrated and can prevent guinea pigs from eating their babies. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Use the tips in this post to understand why piggies eat their babies and to prevent it from happening. 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. 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. CLICK HERE to check the price. We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. But, if one or more of her litter is stillborn, she may eat it. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. Honestly, I dont feel like its worth the risk. A female guinea pig usually wont eat a baby guinea pig deliberately. When they grow up, male guinea pigs are called boars, and females are called sows. However, you should err on the side of caution. 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. Increase the protein content in your pregnant guinea pigs diet. 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. How to Take Care of a Female Guinea Pig With Babies - wikiHow The best items to put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage are absorbent,, Read More 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know)Continue, Pet parents who consider housing their guinea pigs outside often wonder whether or not their pet guinea pigs can hibernate. And of course, when you run a finger over the area, you wont feel a penis! 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. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. 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. Many others survive but have problems.Additionally, theres thousands (if not tens of thousands) of piggies without good homes now. This is where they learn how to bond and behave in a herd. 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. Equally, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their babies because they dont eat meat. 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. She is also teaching them how to interact with other guinea pigs. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. Or house her with a neutered male to prevent future pregnancies. To do this, we learned it is best to wean the males by removing them from their mom and sisters cage at three weeks and moving them to a separate cage. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. Medical Disclaimer. Their paws and head are comically outsized in proportion to their body, and they already have a full coat of fur. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? 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. 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. The good news is that its unlikely for your pregnant pet to eat her offspring. So as long as the enclosure is secure and the bars are tight, you should be fine. Most guinea pigs cages are designed for adult guinea pigs with a one inch space between the bars. While it might not be anything to worry about, sometimes it can be a sign of sickness. ClickHEREfor a peek at my disclosure. An adult guinea pig will never deliberately harm or eat a newborn guinea pig. If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. You might even have witnessed them start to join in with social grooming by this point. Not only that, but they also have a full body of fur, and even their little claws are developed. Some guinea pigs are more likely to nuzzle or groom people or other guinea pigs. 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 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. Do Chickens Get Lonely? Walter or Bob These guinea pigs sound like they should be wearing business suits on Wall Street. They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. And within a few hours nursing should be established. Let's hear it for the boys. Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. Sometimes it happens accidentally. However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. 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. (What You Need To Know)Continue. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig. Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. If your sow has eaten her own babies, you may want to consider changing her living conditions. But, stick with me. 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. We try to conform to the same standards and expectations when it comes to animal interactions and instincts. Usually, the mother will eat the baby right after it's born. We read that the bedding needs to be changed daily. The male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies is important because he helps keep them warm and protects them from predators. As herbivores, they dont eat meat at all. Continue to give milk to puppies for 21 days even when they start eating solid food. You don't have to be a professional breeder . I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. 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. This usually happens when pups are stillborn, or born to ill to survive. (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. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Babies - Midnight Pets The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. The average guinea pig gestation is 59 72 days. If the mother is experiencing starvation , she may eat her offspring as an ultimate last resort. They might surprise you with how busy and outgoing they are too. Within twenty-four hours they can start to eat grass, produce, hay, and pellet feed just like adults. 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. Although guinea pigs need the presence of other guinea pigs, attention from human beings is also essential for their well-being. Guinea pigs are peaceful creatures. If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. https://amzn.to/3iYcPHPAs well as the new Pigg. If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. This is especially true if pet parents have not given their pregnant sow enough food. 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. 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.