Since males can get any female guinea pig pregnant once they reach maturity - including their mothers - they're weaned and taken from their mother at three weeks old. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. While guinea pigs are usually docile, friendly and social creatures, adult males should not be around the babies under any circumstances. Between then and reaching their full adult weight several months later, you might hear them being described as juniors. They might surprise you with how busy and outgoing they are too. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. 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. Wed love to hear from you in the comments below. To avoid the risk of your guinea pig, eating her babies, take these safety steps. Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. That way she doesnt have to deal with the stress of more pregnancies. If your sow has eaten her own babies, you may want to consider changing her living conditions. Guinea Pig Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? 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. 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. If you keep a male guinea pig with the mother and babies, introduce them slowly, so there is no aggression between the two adults. Merck Veterinary Manual. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? Guinea pigs dont hibernate, but they will slow down their metabolism and activity in order to stay warm, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. If they are isolated, they may become lonely and sad. I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. Make sure she always has enough food. How do you tell if a baby guinea pig is a boy or girl? The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. Theres no fixed moment when a guinea pig stops being a pup and becomes an adult. For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. No matter how cute baby guinea pigs are, one litter at a time should be plenty for most people to think about. However, you should err on the side of caution. 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. 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. Sometimes, male Guinea pigs will eat pups if they were fathered by another cavy. RELATED: CLICK HERE for tips on how to tame your guinea pig (step by step guide). After your guinea pig has given birth, shell clean up the evidence left behind to stop predators from tracking down their scent. A pregnant guinea pig requires a lot of extra nutrition. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. 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. 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. Although guinea pigs occasionally sneeze, frequent sneezing is a sign of pneumonia, especially in response to climate change. She is more likely to eat her babies as she can confuse the placenta and the babies. This little interaction will enable him warm to the introduction of a new cage mate better. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. (And yes, its one of the more gruesome animal interactions in the wild.). 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?) But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies, guinea pigs can get attached to their owners. If you carefully run a finger over the area, you should be able to feel the shaft of their penis under the skin. They can impregnate mom and sisters! Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. Significantly, this is the age when pups will start to reach sexual maturity. This may confirm why male guinea pigs eat baby guinea pigs, Guinea pigs are stressed out during placenta feeding and may eat the babies thinking its the postpartum part, They lack food and energy after their babies are born. Do Chickens Get Lonely? But, give them time to bond with their mother so they can nurse. At first your guinea pig baby may seem afraid when you pick him up. 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. 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. Female guinea pigs dont intentionally eat their babies nor do they kill them to eat them. 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. And within a few hours nursing should be established. Begin by holding your guinea pig gently on their back. A mix of alfalfa and timothy hay could keep the mother full and prevent this from happening. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. This is for several reasons: You should find this post helpful: Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? The same goes for males. How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? 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. Well, your guess is as good as mine guinea pigs sure miss their owners when theyre absent for so long. She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. 9. However, too much calcium is dangerous for an adult guinea pig. If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. So, consider getting a cage large enough for them to play around. A mother guinea pig can eat her babies if one of the babies is born dead. 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. Soak guinea pig pellets in water from the first day of life. Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? 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. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. 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. It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. If you are a new guinea pig parent or have an unexpected pregnancy like we did, you too may have lots of questions about newborn baby guinea pigs. The guinea pig fathers dont play any role in taking care of the litter, and can do more harm than good (sorry piggie dads!). A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. 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. Cage size Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape? Common diseases in domestic guinea pigs include respiratory infections, diarrhea, itching, and boils due to infection (often the neck, throat, or external scratches). Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort. Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. This can hurt their health and well-being. 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. Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. Garner-Richardson, V., Guinea Pig Nutrition, The Veterinary Nurse, 2013. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. Sometimes adults will do this with each other too. If you are considering getting a guinea pig, ensure you can provide them with the social interaction they need. Six or seven weeks old is the age at which most breeders will let their pups go to their new homes. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. Donnelly, T. M. and Brown, C. J., Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry, Veterinary Clinics Exotic Animal Practice, 2004. So it is not good practice by caring breeders. Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. Here you'll find the juicy goods to care for your little friends WITHOUT making your brain short-circuit. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUniverseReflected The all natural Piggies Choice Hay Racks are available finally! Their tiny mouths already manage to contain 20 teeth, which grow continuously. Simon or George More classic goodies. If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. However, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their young at all because guinea pigs are herbivores. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. This is where they learn how to bond and behave in a herd. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long. 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. One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? 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. If separated from their parents, they may become anxious and depressed. On the other hand if youll be helping a sow to raise a litter of pups from birth, theres rather more to think about. Guinea pig babies are called "pups" when they are born and are birthed into litters. You can also give them a comfortable place to sleep, like a bed or hammock. (And How? Keep the male guinea pig separate from his female partner to keep her safe and reduce the stress. They are able to see, hear and move around once they are born. Yes, guinea pigs do eat their babies. Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. We read that the bedding needs to be changed daily. Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? You don't have to be a professional breeder . Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. Guinea pigs are social animals who rely on their families for support. 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. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. They have learned quite a few life skills from their mother and are ready to go to their new homes. The body temperature of a guinea pig is between 101104 F (3840 C), so its ideal ambient air temperature is similar to that of humans, approximately 6575 F (1824 C). This is necessary to prevent pregnancy. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. But, if one or more of her litter is stillborn, she may eat it. Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. Watch this video to learn more about guinea pig. This usually happens when pups are stillborn, or born to ill to survive. Their paws and head are comically outsized in proportion to their body, and they already have a full coat of fur. https://amzn.to/3iYcPHPAs well as the new Pigg. National Geographic. Caring for baby guinea pigs can be a rewarding experience if you know what to expect. One of the ways they do this is through "wheeking". So, pet parents should be cautious and prepared when dealing with pregnant sows. The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. Breeding and reproduction of Guinea pigs All other pets Merck veterinary manual. 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. Keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy is an ongoing process that will require lots of dedication and effort from you. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. They look a little bit awkward as they begin to move around. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesn't recognize them as his own offspring. 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. Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. 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. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. Show some tender feelings towards your guinea pig. What about baby guinea pigs for adoption? Just simply focusing on your guinea pigs and trying to chat with them every day can go a long way. This is an essential process as it helps to ensure that the young guinea pigs can develop properly. Orphans should be fed by an eyedropper or pet nurse within the first 12 to 24 hours of life. Ask your vet for advice if this isnt the case. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. This should reduce their spatial and jealous tendency. 15 Best Pet Freshwater Fish For Beginners. And, when it happens, it is usually an accident, not a rule, and intentional behavior. But, can guinea pigs eat them? But, stick with me. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. Calcium is very important for baby piggies as they are growing and developing. Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. While it is a hard thing to think about, it can happen. Your guinea pig wont eat its babies if you touch them. 3 hours ago WebBaby Guinea Pig Diet The first week of life is critical. Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. What Are Common Health Problems in Guinea Pigs? 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. 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. Thats what they do while also making your life a much brighter place. 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. He may also help to nurse the babies. Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. Its unwise to create more. The best thing you can do is provide adequate and proper nutrition to the new guinea pig mother. We know that guinea pigs typically stay with their baby for about three weeks. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. Remember to remove any they leave, as it will spoil quickly. Giving birth is very stressful for the guinea pig mother and the babies. Clements, M. and Kelly, J. While it might not be anything to worry about, sometimes it can be a sign of sickness. So, its possible for their mother (especially if shes inexperienced with babies) to kill them with too much force. A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. We will help you to raise your baby guinea pigs to become healthy, happy pets. You should increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables given daily and also consider pet-friendly supplements. (Find Out Now), Filial Cannibalism (and 7 Reasons Why Some Animal Moms Dine On Their Babies). Sows must also have a constant supply of hay (alfalfa for the extra calories) and pellets. Explain to them that they have not been replaced or that their babies have replaced your guinea pig. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. Do everything you can to fulfill the wants and needs of the pregnant female, to make her feel safe and comfortable. But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. 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. At the end of the day we removed the fleece bedding, washed it and replaced it with a fresh fleece liner. For instance, most rats eat their babies. Domestic guinea pigs originated in South America but today these vocal, sociable creatures thrive in households across the globe. All of the babies are usually born within 30 minutes once labor begins. How Few Is Too Few? So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? 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? There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. All rights reserved. Just keep your little friend with other females only. This is especially true for mammalian animals, who often form strong attachments with their young. (n.d.). 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. Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. We found the following cage on Amazon that worked really well. As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. This can happen if the guinea pig is not being fed enough timothy hay, pellets, vitamin C supplements, etc. Any guinea pig lover would approve. Guinea pigs can eat their babies if they lack nutrition. Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame. As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. Lots of small animals (think rats and rabbits) have reputations for being prolific breeders. We hope youve enjoyed this in depth article about cute baby guinea pigs!Guinea pig pups are quite unlike most other baby animals. Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. Guinea pigs diet rests on grasses, herbs, hay, and raw fruits and vegetables. How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter? 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. So the remaining milestones left to look for relate to growth, feeding, behavior and sexual maturity. 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. i've been keeping this a secret for over a week now!! For guinea pigs to reproduce, a male guinea pig needs to fertilize the female. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. They will begin to wriggle and move about as soon as theyve been licked clean by their mom. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. You can take some precautions to lower the risk of a guinea pig baby being eaten. Extreme Stress -. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. However, they will continue to feed on their mothers milk as well. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesnt recognize them as his own offspring. Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. GuineaPigDen.com is a participant in theAmazon 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. Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. A mother guinea pig needs to clean the babies and eat the afterbirth to chemically generate the mammary glands to start producing milk. Once they are one to two finger-widths apart, it wont be long untilbirth.. Im guessing you probably have a lot of questions about guinea pig pregnancies. When they dont respond to her attention, she tries cleaning them more and more vigorously, until eventually she ends up damaging them. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Kill Their Young? (Fun Facts). It is important to consider the space between the bars of your guinea pig cage. This can lead to health problems. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage.

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