Housing your guinea pig is not particularly difficult, as there are a large variety of hutches and cages commercially available. To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. Keep the male guinea pig separate from his female partner to keep her safe and reduce the stress. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. 10. 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. Yet, sometimes, guinea pigs can eat their babies. The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. While it is a hard thing to think about, it can happen. Continue to give milk to puppies for 21 days even when they start eating solid food. Lake Shore Veterinary Hospital offers the following helpful advice: If you touch her belly a couple of centimeters ahead of the anus, you will be able to feel that the pelvic bones have spread apart. 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. 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. Over the next 2 weeks, decrease the feeding time gradually. Yes, guinea pigs like stuffed, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. Donnelly, T. M. and Brown, C. J., Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry, Veterinary Clinics Exotic Animal Practice, 2004. The causes are different for each species. (And yes, its one of the more gruesome animal interactions in the wild.). 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. 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. But, when a pet parent has makes an intentional choice to breed, its really not worth the risk in most cases. The reason is that male guinea pigs mature sexually very soon and can impregnate their mother as young as 2-3 months of age or even earlier. Usually, the mother will eat the baby right after it's born. It is important to make sure that the pups begin nursing within the first few hours of birth. Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. Weaning age depends on several factors including the pups weight, the mothers milk supply, and the number of siblings. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. And if you push very gently, the penis might appear. the babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. 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. Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort. An adult guinea pig will never deliberately harm or eat a newborn guinea pig. It is important to consider the space between the bars of your guinea pig cage. The more factors that are present, the higher likelihood shell eat her pups. 3 hours ago WebBaby Guinea Pig Diet The first week of life is critical. 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. How Can I Prevent Guinea Pigs From Eating Their Babies? Increase the protein content in your pregnant guinea pigs diet. Female guinea pigs dont intentionally eat their babies nor do they kill them to eat them. Guinea pig babies can walk, see, and hear, as soon as they are born, and most start nibbling on solid foods within a few days. I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. And, when it happens, it is usually an accident, not a rule, and intentional behavior. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? Guinea pigs are not only kept as family pets, but like dogs, cats and rabbits, they are also bred for show. Squeaks, Scales and Tails is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC an affiliate advertising program. Try brushing your pets coats regularly as this can create soothing and pleasant connecting experiences. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. Guinea Pigs make excellent pets due to their playful, social nature. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The best thing you can do is provide adequate and proper nutrition to the new guinea pig mother. Guinea pigs are different from many other species; they are born with teeth and fur, and almost immediately they can see and walk around. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. 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. You don't have to be a professional breeder . Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. Although guinea pigs need the presence of other guinea pigs, attention from human beings is also essential for their well-being. 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. 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. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? Under normal circumstances, the sow will give birth and have a healthy litter of pups. Theres no fixed moment when a guinea pig stops being a pup and becomes an adult. Kind, K.L., Chronic maternal feed restriction impairs growth but increases adiposity of the fetal guinea pig, American Journal of Physiology, 2005. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by my readers, but it doesn't cost you anything at all. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. (What You Need To Know), Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig. But, only serve them as an occasional treat, because the high sugar and water content can cause health problems like obesity and diarrhea. How long do baby guinea pigs stay with Mom? Keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy is an ongoing process that will require lots of dedication and effort from you. Wheek: The shrill noise a guinea pig or other small rodent makes. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Kill Their Young? At first your guinea pig baby may seem afraid when you pick him up. Pets. Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. New guinea pig breeds are formalised by the American Cavy Breeders Association, who also oversee breed standards and competitions in the United States. When your guinea pig is pregnant they need more food than usual, and its surprisingly easy to give them less than what they need. Its unwise to create more. This often happens when owners of female guinea pigs discover an unplanned pregnancy and arent able to care for all the babies. 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. Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. That way she doesnt have to deal with the stress of more pregnancies. (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. The answer to this question is not entirely clear. Baby guinea pigs feed on their mothers milk but soon they will need lots of alfalfa hay thats rich in calcium. When they grow up, male guinea pigs are called boars, and females are called sows. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. 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. If your guinea pig consistently has enough extra food, the chances of her needing to eat her pups drop to near zero. Provide a pregnant guinea pig with extra food, water, and nutrients. When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. 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. It can be difficult to tell the difference between male and female guinea pigs under three weeks of age. Just simply focusing on your guinea pigs and trying to chat with them every day can go a long way. If the mother is experiencing starvation , she may eat her offspring as an ultimate last resort. Yes, guinea pigs do mourn. (n.d.). *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, Pregnancy toxemia in Guinea pigs. Expect to pay around $10 to $40 on average, though this can vary depending on factors such as age and coloring. If she is pregnant, her chances of suffering from some illness will also increase, which will tempt her to eat a lot. One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? This little interaction will enable him warm to the introduction of a new cage mate better. Baby guinea pigs typically stay with their mother for about three weeks, but this can vary depending on the situation. Giving birth is very stressful for the guinea pig mother and the babies. They Talk to You A.K.A. Six or seven weeks old is the age at which most breeders will let their pups go to their new homes. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. 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. Getting guinea pigs used to handling from an early age is an important part of rearing confident, relaxed pets. This is for several reasons: You should find this post helpful: Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? Before making this assumption, consider the following possibilities: Unfortunately, the evidence of your sow eating her babies might be obvious. And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. Alternatively, you can contact local small animal shelters and ask if they have any baby guinea pigs for adoption. They need to stay with their mother guinea pigs and suck their milk, but they will quickly become active. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. 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. If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. In situations where one of your guinea pigs crosses the rainbow bridge leaving one behind, the guinea pig left behind might not be so receptive to a new cage mate. 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. Most people find that, when it comes to guinea pigs at least, babies are the cutest. There are several major ideas about why would a guinea pig eat the babies: When they are small and weak, its much easier to keep baby guinea pigs away from male guinea pigs. We used fleece bedding which we spot cleaned throughout the day by removing poop and leftover food. You cannot do any harm by touching your adult guinea pig or its babies. She is also teaching them how to interact with other guinea pigs. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. You can also ask your vet for advice and support. (What Owners Need To Know), What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? However, some people have asked whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies after they have been separated. This way they can easily confuse their predator and a group of guinea pigs doing this is known as a stampede.. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. Put him back with his mother if he becomes vocal or squirmy. If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. Make sure to feed your guinea pig hay of high quality. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? Individual size is generally linked to litter size, so the more siblings there are in a litter, the smaller they are each likely to be. Guineapigden.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. You need to know if you should reduce the amount of time you spend away from your pet. Guinea pigs are docile small animals. Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. All rights reserved. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. 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. This is pretty rare. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Guinea pig babies are called "pups" when they are born and are birthed into litters. Caring for baby guinea pigs can be a rewarding experience if you know what to expect. Yes, it is okay to touch your new baby guinea pigs. Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. New babies are born with teeth, claws, and fur. All of the babies are usually born within 30 minutes once labor begins. Read Also: How Often to Clean Guinea Pig Cage. Neutering is A LOT less risky for males than spaying is for females. An average sized pup measures around 3 to 5 inches at birth, and very cylindrical roughly the size of a tangerine in fact! We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. 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. (Find Out Now), Filial Cannibalism (and 7 Reasons Why Some Animal Moms Dine On Their Babies). But, give them time to bond with their mother so they can nurse. 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. Some guinea pigs are more likely to nuzzle or groom people or other guinea pigs. Pregnant and lactating guinea pigs also need alfalfa hay to sustain their babies. You can find a mentor by asking your local cavy club to put you in touch with suitable experienced breeders. Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. You might also notice they squeak in distress when you take them away from their mom. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long. (n.d.). You can take some precautions to lower the risk of a guinea pig baby being eaten. Its also the age of the youngest baby guinea pigs in pet stores. Also, they should have unlimited amounts of timothy hay and water all the time. (What Owners Need To Know)Continue, If you notice drool on your guinea pigs face it can be a sign that somethings wrong. Even though they share similar names, guinea pigs do not belong to either the dog or pig family. So, what is the answer? Bear in mind this doesnt necessarily mean she is dangerously thin. They need supervised time out of their cages each day to run around and exercise. Three weeks marks the earliest point at which pups may stop nursing from their mother. Guinea Pig Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. From the moment they are born they are unusually mature and capable of looking after themselves. Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. 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. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesnt recognize them as his own offspring. These small pets need a lot of food and nutrition. Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. Its understandable to feel that way. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. Guinea pigs are tailless rodents that weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs. 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. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. 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. 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. (Fun Facts). This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs. If you keep a male guinea pig with the mother and babies, introduce them slowly, so there is no aggression between the two adults. When can baby guinea pigs be separated from their mother? Guinea pigs can be aggressive towards each other if they are not adequately trained. If you push gently on their lower abdomen the penis may appear. 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. Wiki User 2008-10-08 02:35:56 This. Cage size Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape? A baby guinea pig is called a pup. However, if its weak it might put up little resistance and be eaten entirely. (What You Need To Know)Continue. Guinea pigs and other rodents do not eat their babies because they are hungry. Regarding animal parents, there is no greater love than that of a mother for her young. Breeding and reproduction of Guinea pigs All other pets Merck veterinary manual. A male guinea pig eats the babies only by a strange occurrence. Give the orphaned puppy the same amount of water and evaporated guinea pig milk. (700 to 1,100 grams), according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). It is rare, but it does happen. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. 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. This is one of the biggest reasons why a sow will engage in filial cannibalism. This can be startling and upsetting. Place the cage in a quiet, draft-free area your home that is out of direct sunlight. Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. How do I know when my guinea pig is ready to give birth? Once they are one to two finger-widths apart, it wont be long untilbirth.. Your Baby Guinea Pig What To Expect And How To Look How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! However, you shouldnt touch the babies right after they are born. Stress can cause guinea pigs to eat their babies, and stress-induced cannibalism is also very common in guinea pigs, and unfortunately, quite unavoidable at times.Do your best to keep them well fed and give them plenty of rest so they can stay calm. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. They have learned quite a few life skills from their mother and are ready to go to their new homes. 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. Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. So as long as the enclosure is secure and the bars are tight, you should be fine. Even their own children. Your guinea pig can definitely use more interplay with the loss of its buddy. Besides, always separate baby guinea pigs from male guinea pigs. 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. Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. It's often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Prepare to separate the male and female baby guinea pigs by at least three weeks of age. Lots of small animals (think rats and rabbits) have reputations for being prolific breeders. 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. However, new guinea pig owners should be prepared for a long-term commitment. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. We found the following cage on Amazon that worked really well. Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice.
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