For guinea pigs to reproduce, a male guinea pig needs to fertilize the female. This article has been extensively revised for 2019. Guinea pigs are also notorious communicators, and they start vocalising from babyhood. He may also help to nurse the babies. Just like big farmyard pigs! Male guinea pigs are more likely to harm their babies but they shouldnt eat them. National Geographic. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? Baby guinea pigs are much smaller than their parents, so they can escape from the cage. Its natural for you and me to humanize the behavior of animals. They will understand. 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. Neutering is A LOT less risky for males than spaying is for females. The average lifespan of the guinea pig is four or five years, but it can live much longer. If your guinea pig becomes restless or starts to squeak loudly it is a sign that he is ready to go back to his cage. 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. More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. Preview / Show more . Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. However, you should err on the side of caution. In almost all species, males are inherently territorial. We found the following cage on Amazon that worked really well. On the other hand if youll be helping a sow to raise a litter of pups from birth, theres rather more to think about. Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. Each birth is spaced out every 3 5 minutes. Prepare to separate the male and female baby guinea pigs by at least three weeks of age. Like babies of all species, cute baby guinea pigs are tiny and winsome. It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. When can baby guinea pigs be separated from their mother? My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. Cage size Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape? Guinea pigs are peaceful creatures. We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. If you have an affectionate male guinea pig, you can introduce the babies when they are in the same cage. 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. 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? (And yes, its one of the more gruesome animal interactions in the wild.). Housing your guinea pig is not particularly difficult, as there are a large variety of hutches and cages commercially available. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. This page is stuffed full of information about how to care for your baby guinea pig. This should reduce their spatial and jealous tendency. 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. Caring for a guinea pig can be challenging if you are unsure whether it is missing its baby. https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. (Find Out Now). We read that the bedding needs to be changed daily. So, what is the answer? Once they die, she might eat them. When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. Here you'll find the juicy goods to care for your little friends WITHOUT making your brain short-circuit. Youre gonna want to read this. A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. Let's hear it for the boys. Yes, guinea pigs do mourn. If your sow is in a very small enclosure, this could cause her unnecessary stress. The Midwest Guinea Pig Habitat is the recommended size (minimum of 8 square feet) and has deep sides around the edges that make it difficult for the baby guinea pigs to crawl out of. Make sure to separate your male guinea pigs from females in their litter too. If you are unsure, it is best to consult with a veterinarian to help determine the sex of the pups. Guinea pigs diet rests on grasses, herbs, hay, and raw fruits and vegetables. Newborn Guinea Pigs Pups Care, Feeding, Vaccines, and More - The Big Zoo The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. These colorful, chore charts will help you keep track of when to feed your fuzz butts, clean their cages, and much more. Most experts believe that guinea pigs are relatively emotionally resilient creatures and are unlikely to suffer significant emotional distress due to being separated from their young. (700 to 1,100 grams), according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). Newborn guinea pigs can open their eyes after they are born. If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. Since their gestation lasts just 59-73 days, a female guinea pig is capable in theory of bearing five or even six litters a year. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. Do guinea pigs hurt their babies? - Your Wisdom Tips Theres no fixed moment when a guinea pig stops being a pup and becomes an adult. Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. Guinea pig babies are called "pups" when they are born and are birthed into litters. If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . 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. Newborn Guinea Pig Babies 10 Minutes Old! - YouTube Its just as important that your baby guinea pig also spends most of their time with other guinea pigs. Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. 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. 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. Significantly, this is the age when pups will start to reach sexual maturity. If that happens in captivity, its a rare exception. 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. 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. Medical Disclaimer. Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. The largest guinea pig litter recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records contained a whopping 17 pups! And within a few hours nursing should be established. While guinea pigs are usually docile, friendly and social creatures, adult males should not be around the babies under any circumstances. Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. For the first 2-3 weeks , they will rely on their mother for milk. Make sure your pig has a lot of food. Wed love to hear from you in the comments below. If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. If your sow has eaten her own babies, you may want to consider changing her living conditions. For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. 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. Wed love to hear about your experiences in the comment section below! (Find Out Now), Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? The answer to this question is not entirely clear. MY GUINEA PIG HAD BABIES - YouTube 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 causes are different for each species. Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. 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. https://amzn.to/3iYcPHPAs well as the new Pigg. Sufficient nutrition, a mixture of alfalfa and timothy grass, keeps female guinea pigs hydrated and can prevent guinea pigs from eating their babies. When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. Although piggies are so cute, you cant always be there to have a staring contest with them. 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). As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. They are not cannibalistic because they are starving. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. 11. Rather, they belong to a rodent species called cavies. After three weeks, the baby guinea pig can be separated from its mother and placed with other guinea pigs or its owner. After three weeks, baby guinea pigs can be separated from their mother and placed with other guinea pigs or their owner. However, taking some precautions can bring you peace of mind that your sow wont need to eat her babies. 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. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. 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. This can be very misleading especially when it comes to motherhood as many animals eat their offspring in certain circumstances. (And How? She checked each one of them and licked them clean immediately following their birth. 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. But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! They will begin to wriggle and move about as soon as theyve been licked clean by their mom. Guinea pigs love to communicate. Secondly, even an experienced guinea pig mom might resort to eating her young if she is severely malnourished. Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? Ahhhh, clementines. This is a question that many guinea pig owners have. Well be discussing more about this in todays article. 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. (2010, July 22). Or at least make it a less dangerous one, for you, the guinea pig mother, and the baby piggies. 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. 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. Guinea Pigs May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming. 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. This way they can easily confuse their predator and a group of guinea pigs doing this is known as a stampede.. However, if its weak it might put up little resistance and be eaten entirely. Why Guinea Pigs Are Less Likely To Eat Their Babies? Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. Most people find that, when it comes to guinea pigs at least, babies are the cutest. the babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. Dont be surprised if your pup lets out a little chirp as a means of asking for food! This will stop the mother from continuing to feed on them, and it will prevent the risk of diseases through decomposition. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach Or Is It Bad For Them? (What Owners Need To Know), What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. 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. Can Rabbits Eat Grapes Pros And Cons of Grapes For Rabbits. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. Theyre filled with Vitamin C and other essential nutrients that guinea pigs need. Do Guinea Pigs Nurse Their Young? This Is What You Should Know! 10. However, separate male guinea pig babies from their mothers when they turn about two months old. Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. Dwyer, C.M., et al, The effect of maternal undernutrition on the growth and development of the guinea pig placenta, Journal of Developmental Physiology, 1992. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. Guinea pigs form close bonds with their families and can be very attached to their parents. Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. Guinea pigs are different from many other species; they are born with teeth and fur, and almost immediately they can see and walk around. (Fun Facts). Guinea pigs are tailless rodents that weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs. Although pet guinea pigs eating their pups is a very rare incident, it does happen sometimes. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. Do Chickens Get Lonely? They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. But if you have a tiny little guinea pig with a noteworthy squeak, this name is pretty darn adorable. It is essential for guinea pigs to have social contact with other guinea pigs. Six or seven weeks old is the age at which most breeders will let their pups go to their new homes. New babies are born with teeth, claws, and fur. You need to know if you should reduce the amount of time you spend away from your pet. Within twenty-four hours they can start to eat grass, produce, hay, and pellet feed just like adults. An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies. And the result is that guinea pig babies are born already more mature than many other species. Do not disturb your guinea pigs when they are sleeping or nursing. Guinea pigs are not only kept as family pets, but like dogs, cats and rabbits, they are also bred for show. Place one hand under their tummy and one behind their bottom, and hold the little guy close to you. One reason why a guinea pig mother might eat one of her pups is that she is extremely malnourished. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs. For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig. From the moment they are born they are unusually mature and capable of looking after themselves. Most species clean their offspring with their tongue and so do your little friends. 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. Pneumonia can occur with torticollis and can be fatal. Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by my readers, but it doesn't cost you anything at all. 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). If you keep a male guinea pig with the mother and babies, introduce them slowly, so there is no aggression between the two adults. (n.d.). An adult guinea pig will never deliberately harm or eat a newborn guinea pig. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. ), Guinea pigs can suffer from running lice. Caring for baby guinea pigs can be a rewarding experience if you know what to expect. 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. 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. So, pet parents should be cautious and prepared when dealing with pregnant sows. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). 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. Likely she has forgotten all about them, and is instead planning to to escape and start her next litter. Guinea pigs are docile small animals. 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. This is especially true for mammalian animals, who often form strong attachments with their young. We were stressed out during this time because we did not want to have another unexpected guinea pig pregnancy. Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. By giving them enough time with their mother, you reduce the risk that she will reject them. Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat their babies. The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. Usually, the mother will eat the baby right after it's born. These small pets need a lot of food and nutrition. This is one of the biggest reasons why a sow will engage in filial cannibalism. Why Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? - Clever Pet Owners Do guinea pigs get in heat? Explained by Sharing Culture Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. 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. (Benefits, Risks, Servings & FAQs), Baytril For Guinea Pigs (Side Effects, Efficacy, Dosage & FAQs), Signs Your Guinea Pig Hates You (Top 7 & And How to Fix It). 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. To do this, we learned it is best to wean the males by removing them from their mom and sisters cage at three weeks and moving them to a separate cage. Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. In general, the color of Abyssinian guinea pigs is associated with congenital eye defects and digestive problems. However, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their young at all because guinea pigs are herbivores. Guinea Pigs make excellent pets due to their playful, social nature. Just like with taming older guinea pigs be patient and consistent. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. Clements, M. and Kelly, J. But usually, mom will begin to discourage her babies from nursing at about the 3rd week. This can be startling and upsetting. 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. 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. Baby guinea pigs are unique in that they are born with their eyes open! All of the babies are usually born within 30 minutes once labor begins. Guinea pig pregnancies are dangerous and the mortality rate is high both among guinea pig mothers and babies. This can lead to health problems. At three weeks of age it was still hard for us to tell the difference between the males and females. Sometimes it happens accidentally. Just being near their most preferred people can give guinea pigs a lot of comfort. When your guinea pig is pregnant her Vitamin C requirements double to around 20mg per day. RSPCA Knowledgebase Let Australias most trusted animal welfare charity help you answer the big questions. Before making this assumption, consider the following possibilities: Unfortunately, the evidence of your sow eating her babies might be obvious. At six weeks old baby guineas pigs are fully weaned, and have stopped nursing from their mother. Many people believe that male guinea pigs eat their babies as well. Donnelly, T. M. and Brown, C. J., Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry, Veterinary Clinics Exotic Animal Practice, 2004. It can be hard to tell when your pregnant guinea pig is going to deliver her babies because unlike dogs and cats, they do not prepare a nest. First of all, dont be too hard on yourself. ClickHEREfor a peek at my disclosure. The average guinea pig gestation is 59 72 days. If this happens, you should immediately remove the dead babies and dispose of them appropriately. It's often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. The guinea pig fathers dont play any role in taking care of the litter, and can do more harm than good (sorry piggie dads!). 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. When separated from their parents, they often experience anxiety and depression. Firstly, please provide them with plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied. Guinea pigs make the best mothers and give puppies the best chance of survival. Guinea pigs have a good sense of hearing, so they will potentially even be able to hear you coming from down the hall. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? Newborn guinea pigs weigh only 100 grams but they grow quickly. A female guinea pig usually wont eat a baby guinea pig deliberately. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. Will Your Guinea Pig Eat Her Babies? (What You Need To Know) Adult guinea pigs eat timothy hay, orchard hay, or any other hay thats high in fiber. Over the next 2 weeks, decrease the feeding time gradually. Its understandable to feel that way. How do you tell if a baby guinea pig is a boy or girl? Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. The best time to breed guinea pigs is before the female turns 7 months of age.

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