The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. Neutering is A LOT less risky for males than spaying is for females. Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. Other factors that make eating (or killing) the pups less likely include: piggies are natural herbivores and they have good maternal instincts (for rodents, anyway). Baby guinea pig care - The Guinea Pig Manual. How do you tell if a baby guinea pig is a boy or girl? Let's hear it for the boys. And that means that in a mixed litter of boys and girls, its time for the boys to be relocated to a new home, to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Guinea pigs diet rests on grasses, herbs, hay, and raw fruits and vegetables. Preview / Show more . Try brushing your pets coats regularly as this can create soothing and pleasant connecting experiences. Its understandable to feel that way. If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. How long before you can handle baby guinea pigs? 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. 9. If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. Secondly, even an experienced guinea pig mom might resort to eating her young if she is severely malnourished. Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort. It can be difficult to tell the difference between male and female guinea pigs under three weeks of age. The mother may eat her babies if one or more of her litter dies, or she is under a lot of stress. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach Or Is It Bad For Them? A female guinea pig usually wont eat a baby guinea pig deliberately. Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. 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. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? The more factors that are present, the higher likelihood shell eat her pups. Dont be surprised if your pup lets out a little chirp as a means of asking for food! 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 you are unsure, it is best to consult with a veterinarian to help determine the sex of the pups. No. Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. 4. Yes, guinea pigs do eat their babies. However, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their young at all because guinea pigs are herbivores. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. Do Chickens Get Lonely? Most species clean their offspring with their tongue and so do your little friends. When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. However, both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. You can do a few things to help your guinea pig cope when youre not around. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the water bottle at least once per week. But recognising the biological reasons why it occurs makes it easier to avoid. This can be very misleading especially when it comes to motherhood as many animals eat their offspring in certain circumstances. New babies are born with teeth, claws, and fur. Guinea pigs are not capable of "missing". Kind, K.L., Chronic maternal feed restriction impairs growth but increases adiposity of the fetal guinea pig, American Journal of Physiology, 2005. Thats what they do while also making your life a much brighter place. See Also: Care Show details (2010, July 22). Theres no fixed moment when a guinea pig stops being a pup and becomes an adult. When they dont respond to her attention, she tries cleaning them more and more vigorously, until eventually she ends up damaging them. And the result is that guinea pig babies are born already more mature than many other species. i've been keeping this a secret for over a week now!! (What Owners Need To Know), What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? This is a question that has long been debated when it comes to guinea pigs. Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over. Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? (Fun Facts). We were stressed out during this time because we did not want to have another unexpected guinea pig pregnancy. For guinea pigs to reproduce, a male guinea pig needs to fertilize the female. Keep your little friend calm. Handling them too much too soon can disrupt the bond they need with their mother in order to nurse from her, and huddle against her for warmth. 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. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Squeaks and Nibbles is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, Squeaks and Nibbles is also 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. How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter? You have entered an incorrect email address! Individuals will be starting to show their own distinct personalities too. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. Not only that, but they also have a full body of fur, and even their little claws are developed. In a pet situation, the male may be in the same guinea pig cage as the female and her newborns, and there is no way for the mother to move the pups away from . During pregnancy your sow will need lots of energy and vitamin C, so make sure her hay doesnt run out, and offer a larger helping of fresh fruit and veg every day. Your guinea pig wont eat its babies if you touch them. Sufficient nutrition, a mixture of alfalfa and timothy grass, keeps female guinea pigs hydrated and can prevent guinea pigs from eating their babies. Adult guinea pigs eat timothy hay, orchard hay, or any other hay thats high in fiber. It's particularly common when introducing new guinea pigs for the first time. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. They have small bodies and big eyes. Their paws and head are comically outsized in proportion to their body, and they already have a full coat of fur. 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. Guinea pigs are peaceful creatures. Guinea pigs are not only kept as family pets, but like dogs, cats and rabbits, they are also bred for show. Our goal is to make Guinea Pig Den the ultimate resource for learning about your new guinea pig and helpful information before you bring one home as a pet. All rights reserved. Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. How long does it take for guinea pigs to be born? Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. Youre gonna want to read this. 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. Newborn guinea pigs weigh only 100 grams but they grow quickly. 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. Just keep your little friend with other females only. Lets take a closer look at this exciting topic. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, Pregnancy toxemia in Guinea pigs. You can find a mentor by asking your local cavy club to put you in touch with suitable experienced breeders. 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. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. Getting guinea pigs used to handling from an early age is an important part of rearing confident, relaxed pets. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. 11811 Shaker Blvd, #204, PMB 289Cleveland, Ohio 44120(216) 912-6291. 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. 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. Make sure she always has enough food. Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. In general, most female guinea pigs who survives birth and delivery will and raise her litter without any issues. 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. If that happens in captivity, its a rare exception. 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. Baby guinea pigs are unique in that they are born with their eyes open! However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. It is fine to carefully handle your new guinea pig pups during their first week, but be sure to allow them plenty of time with their mother as well. Weaning age depends on several factors including the pups weight, the mothers milk supply, and the number of siblings. (Find Out Now)Continue. After giving birth, the mother guinea pig is likely to eat the placenta but can end up eating her babies by mistake. Hi there! My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. On the other hand, if it turns out that they don't form any attachment to their young, then we can . The average lifespan of the guinea pig is four or five years, but it can live much longer. (Fun Facts). It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! At worst, it can cause her to reject them. 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. Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. The answer to this question is not entirely clear. Bartesaghi, R., Severi, S., Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Neuroscience, 2004. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. If they are isolated, they may become lonely and sad. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. While guinea pigs are usually docile, friendly and social creatures, adult males should not be around the babies under any circumstances. This can hurt their health and well-being. Always consult your vet if you think a baby guinea pig overly small, or failing to thrive. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. Many time, the pup gets killed accidentally and the mother eats it because she has a survival instinct. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. (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). Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. But if you have a tiny little guinea pig with a noteworthy squeak, this name is pretty darn adorable. For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. However, taking some precautions can bring you peace of mind that your sow wont need to eat her babies. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. 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? If she is pregnant, her chances of suffering from some illness will also increase, which will tempt her to eat a lot. 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. Make sure your pig has a lot of food. 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. 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. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. However, separate male guinea pig babies from their mothers when they turn about two months old. Try to provide your pet with the extra company as much as you can, even if only for a short period of time. Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. 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. 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 . Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. Wheek: The shrill noise a guinea pig or other small rodent makes. He may also help to nurse the babies. We found the following cage on Amazon that worked really well. I thought they would be born helpless and look like baby rats or hamsters with no fur and their eyes closed. In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? Common diseases in domestic guinea pigs include respiratory infections, diarrhea, itching, and boils due to infection (often the neck, throat, or external scratches). Now, lets begin at the beginning. A healthy pup will resist and move away from the mother, alerting her of her mistake. Guinea pig babies are called "pups" when they are born and are birthed into litters. Male guinea pigs have a donut-shaped opening. 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. If you push gently on their lower abdomen the penis may appear. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip Greens? We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. Although piggies are so cute, you cant always be there to have a staring contest with them. Walter or Bob These guinea pigs sound like they should be wearing business suits on Wall Street. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. Lots of small animals (think rats and rabbits) have reputations for being prolific breeders. Do everything you can to fulfill the wants and needs of the pregnant female, to make her feel safe and comfortable. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140328-sloth-bear-zoo-infanticide-chimps-bonobos-animals, Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy: The Stages of Pregnancy. Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. So it is not good practice by caring breeders. i am so excited!!! 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. Most people find that, when it comes to guinea pigs at least, babies are the cutest. Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? Yes, guinea pigs do mourn. Watch after your guinea pig while she gives birth. A mother guinea pig needs to clean the babies and eat the afterbirth to chemically generate the mammary glands to start producing milk. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. Baby guinea pigs are much smaller than their parents, so they can escape from the cage. Female guinea pigs have a Y-shaped opening close to their anus. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. Within twenty-four hours they can start to eat grass, produce, hay, and pellet feed just like adults. An inexperienced sow might accidentally damage her young with her teeth whilst trying to clean them up after the birth. 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. 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. After three weeks, the baby guinea pig can be separated from its mother and placed with other guinea pigs or its owner. 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. At first your guinea pig baby may seem afraid when you pick him up. Sometimes it happens accidentally. Your Baby Guinea Pig What To Expect And How To Look How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? Its normal to be upset and sad. Your guinea pig will be frustrated if their youngsters are upset or stressed. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. 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?) Firstly, please provide them with plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied. (n.d.). Weve already covered the reproductive cycle of guinea pigs and pregnancy and how to tell if a guinea pig is pregnant, so you can learn much more about these topics in our articles. Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. 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. Want to know more? 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. The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn babies. Yet, the mother guinea pig will take care of them during the first few weeks, so dont separate them from her. Besides, always separate baby guinea pigs from male guinea pigs. 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 May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming. This way they can easily confuse their predator and a group of guinea pigs doing this is known as a stampede.. Ask your vet for advice if this isnt the case. Additionally, when her babies are born she may eat them in order to prevent them from taking up the little space she has. Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. 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. Sometimes it happens accidentally. For the first 2-3 weeks , they will rely on their mother for milk. You need to be able to provide your guinea pigs with regular ample attention all the time. They are able to express a wide range of emotions using different sounds and gestures. This article has been extensively revised for 2019. Wed love to hear about your experiences in the comment section below! One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? 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. Signs of Guinea pig loneliness, depression, and boredom include hair chewing, hiding, refusing to be handled, and general irritability. 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. Guinea pigs are docile small animals. Keep in mind that guinea pigs are not the best choice to raise other female guinea pigs babies. More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies. Find The Best Deals on Your Favorite guinea pig Products and Save! Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. Pets. "Wheek" City. Piglet Okay, so it's not that clever. 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? The best thing you can do is provide adequate and proper nutrition to the new guinea pig mother. Simon or George More classic goodies. I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. 10. Merck Veterinary Manual. So as long as the enclosure is secure and the bars are tight, you should be fine. 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. Alternatively, you can contact local small animal shelters and ask if they have any baby guinea pigs for adoption. 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. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE Caring for baby guinea pigs can be a rewarding experience if you know what to expect. Bathing them, if its something you plan to try, should wait until they are at least eight weeks old. (Find Out Now). Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. For instance, most rats eat their babies. Guinea pigs have a good sense of hearing, so they will potentially even be able to hear you coming from down the hall. Put him back with his mother if he becomes vocal or squirmy. And, when it happens, it is usually an accident, not a rule, and intentional behavior. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. When can baby guinea pigs be separated from their mother? 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. This is just enough space to allow the guinea pigs to escape. [9] They will still need to nurse, though, for three weeks before they are ready to be removed from their mother. 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. You can also ask your vet for advice and support. It is perfectly fine to handle your new guinea pigs within the first week. Any guinea pig lover would approve. As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. Over the next 2 weeks, decrease the feeding time gradually. One of the ways they do this is through "wheeking". Three weeks marks the earliest point at which pups may stop nursing from their mother. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. RELATED: CLICK HERE for tips on how to tame your guinea pig (step by step guide). Dont separate them from their mother too soon. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. 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. The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat their babies. Squeaks, Scales and Tails is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC an affiliate advertising program. Garner-Richardson, V., Guinea Pig Nutrition, The Veterinary Nurse, 2013.