New babies are born with teeth, claws, and fur. Show some tender feelings towards your guinea pig. Some guinea pig moms have their maternity care kicked in as they give birth while others take some time . Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. It was fascinating to watch our new mom clean up after her newborn baby guinea pigs. Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort. Its understandable to feel that way. How long do baby guinea pigs stay with Mom? So as long as the enclosure is secure and the bars are tight, you should be fine. 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. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. In general, the color of Abyssinian guinea pigs is associated with congenital eye defects and digestive problems. As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. 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. One of the ways they do this is through "wheeking". When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. This blog will give you some helpful tips on how to make this a wonderful experience. This can hurt their health and well-being. 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. The sow eating her pups may be starving. For the first 2-3 weeks , they will rely on their mother for milk. No matter how cute baby guinea pigs are, one litter at a time should be plenty for most people to think about. 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. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? (Such as blood and remaining body parts). We try to conform to the same standards and expectations when it comes to animal interactions and instincts. (2014, March 28). You cannot do any harm by touching your adult guinea pig or its babies. From there you can jump straight to the answers you need, or join us for a complete overview of baby guinea pig development, week by week. It is important to make sure that the pups begin nursing within the first few hours of birth. The causes are different for each species. Guinea pigs are not capable of "missing". Guinea pigs may miss their parents, but more research must confirm this. National Geographic. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. Their compact, cylindrical bodies range from 8 to 10 inches . Give the orphaned puppy the same amount of water and evaporated guinea pig milk. 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. It is also quite normal for baby guinea pigs to whine when approached by a much bigger and older guinea pig. Begin by holding your guinea pig gently on their back. When you decide to introduce baby guinea pigs to an adult guinea pig, follow their behavior (monitor them for aggression) and respond quickly. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. Sows sometimes give birth during the night. And if you push very gently, the penis might appear. Pneumonia can occur with torticollis and can be fatal. While the baby boars can be separated in just three weeks once they are fully weaned, the baby sows can remain with the mother for up to 4 weeks from the time of birth. This is where they learn how to bond and behave in a herd. My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. If you push gently on their lower abdomen the penis may appear. And make sure that the guinea pig mother is not present. 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. They are basically saying . However, too much calcium is dangerous for an adult guinea pig. At those moments, the guinea pig mother can be very protective and you can be mistaken for a potential predator. However, they can seriously injure them when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. So, its possible for their mother (especially if shes inexperienced with babies) to kill them with too much force. However, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not this is true. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. 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. https://lakeshorepethospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Guinea_Pig_Pregnancy.pdf, If you know anything about guinea pigs, you know they love to play. They need supervised time out of their cages each day to run around and exercise. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. (2020, May 5). Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. How Can You Prevent Your Guinea Pig from Eating Its Young? 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. To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. Many people believe that guinea pigs get attached to their owners and that they miss their parents when they are separated. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. When you pick them up secure one hand beneath the stomach and one under the bottom and hold close to your chest. Guinea pigs are not only kept as family pets, but like dogs, cats and rabbits, they are also bred for show. A mother guinea pig needs to clean the babies and eat the afterbirth to chemically generate the mammary glands to start producing milk. CLICK HERE to check the price. Whereas there are over 13 Guinea Pig breeds, English, Abyssinian, and Peruvian Guinea Pigs are the most well-liked. Guinea pigs diet rests on grasses, herbs, hay, and raw fruits and vegetables. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. 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. (n.d.). I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. You need to be able to provide your guinea pigs with regular ample attention all the time. This website was inspired by our guinea pig pair, Theo and Remmy, and is our familys journey to becoming the best guinea pig parents. I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. (What Owners Need To Know), What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? A baby guinea pig is called a pup. The surprising truth is that it happens more often than youd think. Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. If a guinea pig mother cannot nurse her babies due to illness or death, keep the orphans with as many pet guinea pigs as possible. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. Theres no fixed moment when a guinea pig stops being a pup and becomes an adult. You will get a kick out of their eagerness to chase each other around and play, and maybe even start popcorning. Any sudden movement or noise can scare them. 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 . Prepare to separate the male and female baby guinea pigs by at least three weeks of age. (Find Out Now), Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? Squeaks, Scales and Tails is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC an affiliate advertising program. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . This little interaction will enable him warm to the introduction of a new cage mate better. On the other hand, if it turns out that they don't form any attachment to their young, then we can . How Few Is Too Few? This way, your guinea pig will not feel the need for extra nutrition. They Talk to You A.K.A. Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. In almost all species, males are inherently territorial. Ive wondered it myself. 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. Guinea pigs definitely can eat clementines. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. We were stressed out during this time because we did not want to have another unexpected guinea pig pregnancy. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long. Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. If that happens in captivity, its a rare exception. (What You Need To Know), Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? One reason why a guinea pig mother might eat one of her pups is that she is extremely malnourished. Be prepared to assess them quickly, because they wont like to be held in that position for long! They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. You need to make the entire environment guinea pig-friendly. You don't have to be a professional breeder . If you have a pregnant guinea pig, consider giving the her cage an upgrade, so she can take care of her pups comfortably. Guinea pig babies are born very quickly. Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. If the mother is experiencing starvation , she may eat her offspring as an ultimate last resort. 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. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. Expect to pay around $10 to $40 on average, though this can vary depending on factors such as age and coloring. But, can guinea pigs eat them? 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). https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, Pregnancy toxemia in Guinea pigs. "Wheek" City. If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. Allowing siblings to breed also poses a risk of dangerous congenital disorders to their offspring. Sometimes it happens accidentally. 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. Hey there, I'm Angela. We found the following cage on Amazon that worked really well. Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. 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. But, only serve them as an occasional treat, because the high sugar and water content can cause health problems like obesity and diarrhea. However, new guinea pig owners should be prepared for a long-term commitment. (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. By the time theyre a month old, baby guinea pigs body shape rather resembles that of a syrian hamster. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. 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. Alternatively, you can contact local small animal shelters and ask if they have any baby guinea pigs for adoption. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. Baby guinea pigs are called pups. You need to know if you should reduce the amount of time you spend away from your pet. I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. (And How? the babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. 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 called pups just like baby dogs. If she is pregnant, her chances of suffering from some illness will also increase, which will tempt her to eat a lot. However, they will continue to feed on their mothers milk as well. However, separate male guinea pig babies from their mothers when they turn about two months old. If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. The best time to breed guinea pigs is before the female turns 7 months of age. The above is important because it allows the mother to continue feeding and grooming her young. (What You Need To Know)Continue. i've been keeping this a secret for over a week now!! It's particularly common when introducing new guinea pigs for the first time. The first twenty four hours are when the babies are at greatest risk for being eaten, so remain close during this period. Weaning age depends on several factors including the pups weight, the mothers milk supply, and the number of siblings. As they grow, baby guinea pigs will require extra calcium to help their bones develop properly. 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. This often happens when owners of female guinea pigs discover an unplanned pregnancy and arent able to care for all the babies. Guinea pigs can typically handle labor and delivery without intervention; however, guinea pigs can die during the birthing process. (And Other Key Terms), How Often Should You Clean a Guinea Pigs Cage? 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. Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. Always consult your vet if you think a baby guinea pig overly small, or failing to thrive. 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. 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. When can baby guinea pigs be separated from their mother? Piglet Okay, so it's not that clever. Many others survive but have problems.Additionally, theres thousands (if not tens of thousands) of piggies without good homes now. How do I know when my guinea pig is ready to give birth? Hi there! At three weeks of age it was still hard for us to tell the difference between the males and females. Im guessing you probably have a lot of questions about guinea pig pregnancies. You should increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables given daily and also consider pet-friendly supplements. Once they are one to two finger-widths apart, it wont be long untilbirth.. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. You can take some precautions to lower the risk of a guinea pig baby being eaten. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. Some guinea pigs are more likely to nuzzle or groom people or other guinea pigs. 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. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? Babies grow fast. 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. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. Guinea pigs form close bonds with their families and can be very attached to their parents. Place one hand under their tummy and one behind their bottom, and hold the little guy close to you. Guinea Pigs May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming. Having a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. Briscoe, T.A., et al, Cardiovascular and renal disease in the adolescent guinea pig after chronic placental insufficiency, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2004. Just like with taming older guinea pigs be patient and consistent. If you look after the guinea pig mother regularly, she will allow you to touch her baby guinea pigs. Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. There are, Read More 7 Alarming Reasons Why Guinea Pigs DroolContinue, What fruits can guinea pigs eat? Dont separate them from their mother too soon. Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. Donnelly, T. M. and Brown, C. J., Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry, Veterinary Clinics Exotic Animal Practice, 2004. Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). And within a few hours nursing should be established. Bartesaghi, R., Severi, S., Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Neuroscience, 2004. We will help you to raise your baby guinea pigs to become healthy, happy pets. Likely she has forgotten all about them, and is instead planning to to escape and start her next litter. Although they are capable of eating almost immediately, baby guineas do still need to nurse and they will seek milk about every two hours. However, some people have asked whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies after they have been separated. 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. If your sow has eaten her own babies, you may want to consider changing her living conditions. 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. We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. How do you tell if a baby guinea pig is a boy or girl? Giving birth is very stressful for the guinea pig mother and the babies. Feed the guinea pig pups for the first 5 days around the clock every 4 to 5 hours. Walter or Bob These guinea pigs sound like they should be wearing business suits on Wall Street. (2010, July 22). Significantly, this is the age when pups will start to reach sexual maturity. They might surprise you with how busy and outgoing they are too. Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. See Also: Care Show details Female guinea pigs dont intentionally eat their babies nor do they kill them to eat them.