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. And within a few hours nursing should be established. 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. Equally, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their babies because they dont eat meat. 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. When your guinea pig is pregnant her Vitamin C requirements double to around 20mg per day. 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. Well, your guess is as good as mine guinea pigs sure miss their owners when theyre absent for so long. When we discovered that our guinea pig was pregnant we had so many questions about newborn baby guinea pigs and what to expect once they were born. We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. Do guinea pigs get attached to their babies? 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. Secondly, even an experienced guinea pig mom might resort to eating her young if she is severely malnourished. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. 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?) However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. This can harm the guinea pigs health, as they may become stressed or depressed. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. They reach their adult size very quickly. Alternatively, you can contact local small animal shelters and ask if they have any baby guinea pigs for adoption. New babies are born with teeth, claws, and fur. As herbivores, they dont eat meat at all. Guinea pigs are not only kept as family pets, but like dogs, cats and rabbits, they are also bred for show. The largest guinea pig litter recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records contained a whopping 17 pups! A healthy pup will resist and move away from the mother, alerting her of her mistake. Sows must also have a constant supply of hay (alfalfa for the extra calories) and pellets. Always consult your vet if you think a baby guinea pig overly small, or failing to thrive. The best time to breed guinea pigs is before the female turns 7 months of age. (Find Out Now), Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? Provide a pregnant guinea pig with extra food, water, and nutrients. Place the cage in a quiet, draft-free area your home that is out of direct sunlight. Thankfully, she had an uneventful pregnancy and birth and did not eat her babies. Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. 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. 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. Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesn't recognize them as his own offspring. Any guinea pig lover would approve. You can also give them a comfortable place to sleep, like a bed or hammock. This is one of the biggest reasons why a sow will engage in filial cannibalism. Guinea pigs weigh between 700 and 1200g. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. 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. A mother guinea pig can eat her babies if one of the babies is born dead. This usually happens when pups are stillborn, or born to ill to survive. Yes, it is okay to touch your new baby guinea pigs. 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. Guinea Pigs make excellent pets due to their playful, social nature. This is especially true if pet parents have not given their pregnant sow enough food. ClickHEREfor a peek at my disclosure. Once the pups arrive, monitor them closely to make sure nursing is established within 12 hours. Spaying a female guinea pig can be a risky procedure that not all veterinarians are willing to attempt. 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. As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. Whether you plan on rearing your own litter of baby Abysinnian guinea pigs, or youre making plans to buy a baby Peruvian guinea pig, its valuable to be able to recognise whether theyre growing and developing normally for the species, and their breed. So, what is the answer? The answer to this question is not entirely clear. This should reduce their spatial and jealous tendency. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. If the litter is too large, the mama . About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. This is pretty rare. Watch this video to learn more about guinea pig. 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. 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. 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 . The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. While it might not be anything to worry about, sometimes it can be a sign of sickness. How long do baby guinea pigs stay with Mom? (Fun Facts). 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. Guinea pigs eating babies is a rare but possible occurrence. 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. This website was inspired by our guinea pig pair, Theo and Remmy, and is our familys journey to becoming the best guinea pig parents. In general, most female guinea pigs who survives birth and delivery will and raise her litter without any issues. 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. 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. Can Rabbits Eat Grapes Pros And Cons of Grapes For Rabbits. Over the next 2 weeks, decrease the feeding time gradually. After giving birth, the mother guinea pig is likely to eat the placenta but can end up eating her babies by mistake. Your guinea pig will be frustrated if their youngsters are upset or stressed. At those moments, the guinea pig mother can be very protective and you can be mistaken for a potential predator. Although guinea pigs need the presence of other guinea pigs, attention from human beings is also essential for their well-being. Usually, the mother will eat the baby right after it's born. Male guinea pigs have a donut-shaped opening. male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies, guinea pigs can get attached to their owners. This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs. Keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy is an ongoing process that will require lots of dedication and effort from you. It is okay for you to handle the pups during the nursing period. Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. Additionally, when her babies are born she may eat them in order to prevent them from taking up the little space she has. However, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not this is true. https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? But usually, mom will begin to discourage her babies from nursing at about the 3rd week. Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. Preview / Show more . The best thing you can do is provide adequate and proper nutrition to the new guinea pig mother. (What You Need To Know), Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? Yet, sometimes, guinea pigs can eat their babies. If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! As you find a toy for your little fur baby, you might be asking, do guinea pigs like stuffed animals? We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. She is more likely to eat her babies as she can confuse the placenta and the babies. 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. Once they are one to two finger-widths apart, it wont be long untilbirth.. 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. How To Prevent a New Mother from Eating Her Babies? It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! Individuals will be starting to show their own distinct personalities too. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. Read Also: How Often to Clean Guinea Pig Cage. This article has been extensively revised for 2019. Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat their babies. It will also well as putting her at risk for developing diseases like toxaemia. Although they are capable of eating almost immediately, baby guineas do still need to nurse and they will seek milk about every two hours. 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. Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. New guinea pig breeds are formalised by the American Cavy Breeders Association, who also oversee breed standards and competitions in the United States. ), Guinea pigs can suffer from running lice. 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. RELATED: CLICK HERE for tips on how to tame your guinea pig (step by step guide). 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. 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. When they dont respond to her attention, she tries cleaning them more and more vigorously, until eventually she ends up damaging them. (What Owners Need To Know), What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. So as long as the enclosure is secure and the bars are tight, you should be fine. Guinea pigs make the best mothers and give puppies the best chance of survival. This can hurt their health and well-being. We hope you found this article helpful about what to expect when expecting newborn baby guinea pigs! Guinea pig babies are born quickly. Piglet Okay, so it's not that clever. Want to know more? Common diseases in domestic guinea pigs include respiratory infections, diarrhea, itching, and boils due to infection (often the neck, throat, or external scratches). Youre gonna want to read this. I didnt know how we would handle it if Theo rejected her babies or even worse ate her young! Wiki User 2008-10-08 02:35:56 This. After your guinea pig has given birth, shell clean up the evidence left behind to stop predators from tracking down their scent. AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This can be startling and upsetting. Wheek: The shrill noise a guinea pig or other small rodent makes. (2010, July 22). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by my readers, but it doesn't cost you anything at all. When your guinea pig is pregnant they need more food than usual, and its surprisingly easy to give them less than what they need. 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 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 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. Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? Adult guinea pigs eat timothy hay, orchard hay, or any other hay thats high in fiber. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. 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. The sow eating her pups may be starving. 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. 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. How do you tell if a baby guinea pig is a boy or girl? So, consider getting a cage large enough for them to play around. Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. How long does it take for guinea pigs to be born? Ahhhh, clementines. They use them to form social bonds and initiate mating, attract the attention of herd members over great distances, communicate sadness, and sound the alarm. If separated from their parents, they may become anxious and depressed. Yes, guinea pigs do mourn. In almost all species, males are inherently territorial. They can impregnate mom and sisters! They are cheerful and love to run around, squeak, eat, play, and poop. At three weeks of age it was still hard for us to tell the difference between the males and females. It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. 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. On the other hand, female guinea pigs mature sexually at 2 months of age, so make sure to keep them separated from their brothers and father. You need to make the entire environment guinea pig-friendly. Where can I find baby guinea pigs for sale? Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. Although they are able to conceive year-round, springtime is the peak window for baby guineas appearing on the scene. How long before you can handle baby guinea pigs? Its natural for you and me to humanize the behavior of animals. 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. 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. Keep in mind that guinea pigs are not the best choice to raise other female guinea pigs babies. In this article weve answered some frequently asked questions about newborn baby guinea pigs like: Whether you have a surprise guinea pig pregnancy or a planned one, there are a few things you will want to prepare in advance to make sure you are ready when your newborn baby guinea pigs arrive. A female needs to give birth for the first time before the age of 7 months. But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. Continue to give milk to puppies for 21 days even when they start eating solid food. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? Just simply focusing on your guinea pigs and trying to chat with them every day can go a long way. Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). Filial cannibalism is when animals eat their own offspring. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. How do I know when my guinea pig is ready to give birth? Merck Veterinary Manual. Keep the male guinea pig separate from his female partner to keep her safe and reduce the stress. Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. Change the water daily. (And Other Key Terms), How Often Should You Clean a Guinea Pigs Cage? When baby guinea pigs grow up the males are called boars and the females are called sows. If the mother is experiencing starvation , she may eat her offspring as an ultimate last resort. We read that the bedding needs to be changed daily. One under his chest and one under his bottom. (Find Out Now). 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Berryman, J. C., Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Ethology, 1976. 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. I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. Baby guinea pig care - The Guinea Pig Manual. Baby boars must be separated from mama at three weeks. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? (n.d.). Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? The male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies is important because he helps keep them warm and protects them from predators. Ive wondered it myself. 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. 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. A guinea pig baby can show mating behaviors at about three to four weeks of age. Hey there, I'm Angela. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? For the first 2-3 weeks , they will rely on their mother for milk. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). All of the babies are usually born within 30 minutes once labor begins. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that we could position it low enough for the babies to reach it. Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. Male guinea pigs are more likely to harm their babies but they shouldnt eat them. Guinea pigs and other rodents do not eat their babies because they are hungry. This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. Most people find that, when it comes to guinea pigs at least, babies are the cutest. The same goes for males. Extreme Stress -. If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. But, fruit should only be given as an occasional treat. Be prepared to assess them quickly, because they wont like to be held in that position for long! You can do a few things to help your guinea pig cope when youre not around. This is called precociality. 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. As they grow, baby guinea pigs will require extra calcium to help their bones develop properly. And all the behaviors theyll need to carry out for themselves instead of having performed for them by mom like grooming will be well established. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. 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. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? They will begin to wriggle and move about as soon as theyve been licked clean by their mom. It is rare, but it does happen. Likely she has forgotten all about them, and is instead planning to to escape and start her next litter. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Eat Their Young? Honestly, I dont feel like its worth the risk. Their tiny mouths already manage to contain 20 teeth, which grow continuously. Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. Within twenty-four hours they can start to eat grass, produce, hay, and pellet feed just like adults. By the time theyre a month old, baby guinea pigs body shape rather resembles that of a syrian hamster. the babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. You need to know if you should reduce the amount of time you spend away from your pet. 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. You will get a kick out of their eagerness to chase each other around and play, and maybe even start popcorning. Like babies of all species, cute baby guinea pigs are tiny and winsome. 11. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. However, in captivity that shouldnt happen at all because responsible pet owners keep them separate from pregnant and lactating sows and their babies. If you have a pregnant guinea pig, consider giving the her cage an upgrade, so she can take care of her pups comfortably. This is especially true for mammalian animals, who often form strong attachments with their young. Many people believe that male guinea pigs eat their babies as well. Newborn guinea pigs can open their eyes after they are born. (n.d.). Make sure to separate your male guinea pigs from females in their litter too. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Kill Their Young? B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. (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. Even their own children. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. Find The Best Deals on Your Favorite guinea pig Products and Save! 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. Guinea pigs are also notorious communicators, and they start vocalising from babyhood. Some guinea pig moms have their maternity care kicked in as they give birth while others take some time . You have to remember that these babies are coming out of the womb ready to run around the cage and have fun very quickly. 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? Giving birth is very stressful for guinea pigs and the mortality rate of pregnant guinea pigs is quite high due to complications that occur during the delivery process. Other causes of hair loss due to underlying medical conditions such as ovarian cysts may occur as a result of hormonal distress. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. Caring for baby guinea pigs can be a rewarding experience if you know what to expect. 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. However, we always recommend having more than one guinea pig because these small animals are social creatures and they need company. It may take some time for him to become comfortable with you. Sometimes, male Guinea pigs will eat pups if they were fathered by another cavy. There is a chance that your sow will only partially eat her offspring, particularly if she killed them by accident. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. When you touch them be soft and gentle. This will stop the mother from continuing to feed on them, and it will prevent the risk of diseases through decomposition. 9. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . (2014, March 28). And if you push very gently, the penis might appear. Make sure to feed your guinea pig hay of high quality. A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. Walter or Bob These guinea pigs sound like they should be wearing business suits on Wall Street. Its just as important that your baby guinea pig also spends most of their time with other guinea pigs. Its important to remember that guinea pigs are prey animals and they can get intimidated very easily. Guinea Pigs do best when living with at least one similar companion, and pets that live without another Guinea pig sometimes become lonely and depressed. Guinea pigs are fragile animals at any age but especially during their early days of life. 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. Im guessing you probably have a lot of questions about guinea pig pregnancies. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. Even then, they must be handled very gently. If The Male Doesn't Believe the Babies Are His. Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. [9] They will still need to nurse, though, for three weeks before they are ready to be removed from their mother. How To Stop Guinea Pigs Chewing On Cage Bars, Baby Chicken What To Expect From Egg To 8 Weeks Old, Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Cardiovascular and renal disease in the adolescent guinea pig after chronic placental insufficiency, The effect of maternal undernutrition on the growth and development of the guinea pig placenta, Chronic maternal feed restriction impairs growth but increases adiposity of the fetal guinea pig, Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, The Effects of Diet on Anatomy, Physiology and Health in the Guinea Pig, Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.