By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. 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. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. Between then and reaching their full adult weight several months later, you might hear them being described as juniors. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. Baby guinea pigs are capable of digesting solid food very soon after birth (within hours). Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? Significantly, this is the age when pups will start to reach sexual maturity. How To Prevent a New Mother from Eating Her Babies? Signs of Guinea pig loneliness, depression, and boredom include hair chewing, hiding, refusing to be handled, and general irritability. The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. In almost all species, males are inherently territorial. One under his chest and one under his bottom. 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?) Guinea pigs are not capable of "missing". Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. Its just as important that your baby guinea pig also spends most of their time with other guinea pigs. One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? 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. And guinea pigs are quite fertile little creatures too! Any sudden movement or noise can scare them. Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. We will help you to raise your baby guinea pigs to become healthy, happy pets. Or house her with a neutered male to prevent future pregnancies. And the result is that guinea pig babies are born already more mature than many other species. When you decide to introduce baby guinea pigs to an adult guinea pig, follow their behavior (monitor them for aggression) and respond quickly. You can certainly handle a little, because it wont make their mother reject them. This is pretty rare. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? 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. When baby guinea pigs grow up the males are called boars and the females are called sows. If that happens in captivity, its a rare exception. Breeding of guinea pigs is strongly discouraged. Well, your guess is as good as mine guinea pigs sure miss their owners when theyre absent for so long. Even though they share similar names, guinea pigs do not belong to either the dog or pig family. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! This page is stuffed full of information about how to care for your baby guinea pig. Thankfully, she had an uneventful pregnancy and birth and did not eat her babies. When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? 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. Hold him against your chest to help him feel secure and safe. Spaying a female guinea pig can be a risky procedure that not all veterinarians are willing to attempt. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). A baby guinea pig is called a pup. They reach their adult size very quickly. This can hurt their health and well-being. This is where they learn how to bond and behave in a herd. Mange worms (Trichocross cavia) are a common cause of hair loss, and other symptoms may include excessive scratching, abnormal aggression when being touched, and, in some cases, seizures. If you carefully run a finger over the area, you should be able to feel the shaft of their penis under the skin. 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. Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. She is also teaching them how to interact with other guinea pigs. 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. If you handle a baby bird in a nest, the mother will often abandon them because she'll sense something isn't right (i.e. 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. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. He may also help to nurse the babies. Although they are able to conceive year-round, springtime is the peak window for baby guineas appearing on the scene. Paying lots of brief visits to your litter with mother, and getting them used to gentle handling without worrying them are going to be a vital foundation of good socialization. Theyre filled with Vitamin C and other essential nutrients that guinea pigs need. To avoid the risk of your guinea pig, eating her babies, take these safety steps. Guinea pigs weigh between 700 and 1200g. Guinea pig babies are born looking like mini versions of their mama. For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. (What You Need To Know)Continue. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. However, if its weak it might put up little resistance and be eaten entirely. 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. Feed the guinea pig pups for the first 5 days around the clock every 4 to 5 hours. Wed love to hear about your experiences in the comment section below! The average lifespan of the guinea pig is four or five years, but it can live much longer. Although pet guinea pigs eating their pups is a very rare incident, it does happen sometimes. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. 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. On the other hand, if it turns out that they don't form any attachment to their young, then we can . Their tiny mouths already manage to contain 20 teeth, which grow continuously. This is called precociality. Your guinea pig wont eat its babies if you touch them. Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. From the moment they are born they are unusually mature and capable of looking after themselves. Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs. Here is how to tell if your baby guinea pig is a boy or girl: RELATED: CLICK HERE for more information on how to determine the sex of a guinea pig. In the next section weve assembled some of the most commonly asked questions our readers have about their baby guinea pigs. 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. Bear in mind this doesnt necessarily mean she is dangerously thin. 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. At those moments, the guinea pig mother can be very protective and you can be mistaken for a potential predator. 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. Now, lets begin at the beginning. To pick up your guinea pig move slowly and gently pick him up with two hands. This is for several reasons: You should find this post helpful: Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. Female guinea pigs have a Y-shaped opening close to their anus. They Talk to You A.K.A. They also live for several years, longer than most other rodents, so you can enjoy them longer than other pet rodents. RELATED: CLICK HERE for 99 cute guinea pig names to help you choose. ), Guinea pigs can suffer from running lice. 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. And that means that in a mixed litter of boys and girls, its time for the boys to be relocated to a new home, to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Youre gonna want to read this. (Find Out Now). Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip Greens? So, its possible for their mother (especially if shes inexperienced with babies) to kill them with too much force. 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. It may take some time for him to become comfortable with you. Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Change the water daily. This can be startling and upsetting. There are, Read More 7 Alarming Reasons Why Guinea Pigs DroolContinue, What fruits can guinea pigs eat? The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. Do everything you can to fulfill the wants and needs of the pregnant female, to make her feel safe and comfortable. Give the orphaned puppy the same amount of water and evaporated guinea pig milk. 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. Guinea pigs are fragile animals at any age but especially during their early days of life. 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. Six or seven weeks old is the age at which most breeders will let their pups go to their new homes. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. You don't have to be a professional breeder . Even their own children. The largest guinea pig litter recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records contained a whopping 17 pups! Once the pups arrive, monitor them closely to make sure nursing is established within 12 hours. For instance, most rats eat their babies. A male guinea pig eats the babies only by a strange occurrence. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. Why would a pet guinea pig eat its own babies? The male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies is important because he helps keep them warm and protects them from predators. If possible, you should be present during the birth to provide support and comfort to the mother. National Geographic. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long. A pregnant guinea pig requires a lot of extra nutrition. Try brushing your pets coats regularly as this can create soothing and pleasant connecting experiences. 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. Let's hear it for the boys. male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies, guinea pigs can get attached to their owners. 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. Use the tips in this post to understand why piggies eat their babies and to prevent it from happening. Guinea pig pregnancy seems short to us, but in fact it lasts a remarkably long time for their size. A female guinea pig usually wont eat a baby guinea pig deliberately. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. Keep in mind that guinea pigs are not the best choice to raise other female guinea pigs babies. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. Guinea pigs eating babies is a rare but possible occurrence. A great way to get help raising your first litter successfully, and in recognising potential problems quickly, is by enlisting the support of a mentor. Its understandable to feel that way. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. However, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not this is true. Theres no fixed moment when a guinea pig stops being a pup and becomes an adult. By giving them enough time with their mother, you reduce the risk that she will reject them. Giving birth is very stressful for the guinea pig mother and the babies. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. But, can guinea pigs eat them? If the mother is experiencing starvation , she may eat her offspring as an ultimate last resort. 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. CLICK HERE to check the price. 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). When you pick them up secure one hand beneath the stomach and one under the bottom and hold close to your chest. 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. The above is important because it allows the mother to continue feeding and grooming her young. What Are Common Health Problems in Guinea Pigs? Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. (700 to 1,100 grams), according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). 10. On the other hand if youll be helping a sow to raise a litter of pups from birth, theres rather more to think about. What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? 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. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. But, when a pet parent has makes an intentional choice to breed, its really not worth the risk in most cases. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, Pregnancy toxemia in Guinea pigs. The good news is that its unlikely for your pregnant pet to eat her offspring. But if you have a tiny little guinea pig with a noteworthy squeak, this name is pretty darn adorable. Each birth is spaced out every 3 5 minutes. If you push gently on their lower abdomen the penis may appear. 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? Dont separate them from their mother too soon. Regarding animal parents, there is no greater love than that of a mother for her young. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. Other factors that make eating (or killing) the pups less likely include: piggies are natural herbivores and they have good maternal instincts (for rodents, anyway). You can also give them a comfortable place to sleep, like a bed or hammock. However, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their young at all because guinea pigs are herbivores. This will stop the mother from continuing to feed on them, and it will prevent the risk of diseases through decomposition. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? At worst, it can cause her to reject them. If this happens, you should immediately remove the dead babies and dispose of them appropriately. You might also notice they squeak in distress when you take them away from their mom. The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn babies. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. This is a question that has long been debated when it comes to guinea pigs. 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. 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. This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. Filial cannibalism is when animals eat their own offspring. 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 fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig. 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. 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. That is a common myth and is not true. Not only that, but they also have a full body of fur, and even their little claws are developed. I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. You need to make the entire environment guinea pig-friendly. Housing your guinea pig is not particularly difficult, as there are a large variety of hutches and cages commercially available. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. 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. Garner-Richardson, V., Guinea Pig Nutrition, The Veterinary Nurse, 2013. Bartesaghi, R., Severi, S., Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Neuroscience, 2004. This usually happens when pups are stillborn, or born to ill to survive. If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. This can happen if the guinea pig is not being fed enough timothy hay, pellets, vitamin C supplements, etc. https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. Coming up with a cute guinea pig name is a lot of fun, but can be tough. Additionally, when her babies are born she may eat them in order to prevent them from taking up the little space she has. When your guinea pig is pregnant they need more food than usual, and its surprisingly easy to give them less than what they need. This is necessary to prevent pregnancy. So, pet parents should be cautious and prepared when dealing with pregnant sows. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. Guinea pig babies are born very quickly. Preview / Show more . Many others survive but have problems.Additionally, theres thousands (if not tens of thousands) of piggies without good homes now. For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. We hope you found this article helpful about what to expect when expecting newborn baby guinea pigs! 11811 Shaker Blvd, #204, PMB 289Cleveland, Ohio 44120(216) 912-6291. If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? The more factors that are present, the higher likelihood shell eat her pups. Just like with taming older guinea pigs be patient and consistent. the babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. As you find a toy for your little fur baby, you might be asking, do guinea pigs like stuffed animals? 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. A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat their babies. (What Owners Need To Know), What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Although piggies are so cute, you cant always be there to have a staring contest with them. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. If her diet doesnt contain enough vital vitamins and nutrients, she can still be malnourished whilst receiving enough calories to maintain her body weight. You will get a kick out of their eagerness to chase each other around and play, and maybe even start popcorning. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? Guinea pigs can recognize their owners and other people they know and trust. (n.d.). I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. (2020, May 5). https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. Make sure your pig has a lot of food. Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. i am so excited!!! Even then, they must be handled very gently. Pets. But, only serve them as an occasional treat, because the high sugar and water content can cause health problems like obesity and diarrhea. Im guessing you probably have a lot of questions about guinea pig pregnancies. Explain to them that they have not been replaced or that their babies have replaced your guinea pig. Just simply focusing on your guinea pigs and trying to chat with them every day can go a long way. We used fleece bedding which we spot cleaned throughout the day by removing poop and leftover food. 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.

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