You need to make the entire environment guinea pig-friendly. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. 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. But if you have a tiny little guinea pig with a noteworthy squeak, this name is pretty darn adorable. You can also ask your vet for advice and support. In general, the color of Abyssinian guinea pigs is associated with congenital eye defects and digestive problems. The sow eating her pups may be starving. Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Bartesaghi, R., Severi, S., Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Neuroscience, 2004. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. Medical Disclaimer. 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. So, its possible for their mother (especially if shes inexperienced with babies) to kill them with too much force. By giving them enough time with their mother, you reduce the risk that she will reject them. At six weeks old baby guineas pigs are fully weaned, and have stopped nursing from their mother. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. Of course, every guinea pig is different, and some individual animals may indeed experience some sadness or loneliness after being separated from their babies if you are concerned that your guinea pig may miss its young, it. A mother guinea pig needs to clean the babies and eat the afterbirth to chemically generate the mammary glands to start producing milk. (2020, May 5). Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat their babies. The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. (n.d.). Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach Or Is It Bad For Them? However, new guinea pig owners should be prepared for a long-term commitment. Kind, K.L., Chronic maternal feed restriction impairs growth but increases adiposity of the fetal guinea pig, American Journal of Physiology, 2005. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? Sometimes, male Guinea pigs will eat pups if they were fathered by another cavy. Calcium is very important for baby piggies as they are growing and developing. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. How Few Is Too Few? On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. 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. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. (n.d.). Guinea pigs may miss their parents, but more research must confirm this. Bear in mind this doesnt necessarily mean she is dangerously thin. We read that the bedding needs to be changed daily. Their paws and head are comically outsized in proportion to their body, and they already have a full coat of fur. Let's hear it for the boys. Firstly, please provide them with plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied. 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. 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. It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. They will understand. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). Although guinea pigs need the presence of other guinea pigs, attention from human beings is also essential for their well-being. (What Owners Need To Know)Continue, If you notice drool on your guinea pigs face it can be a sign that somethings wrong. Keep the male guinea pig separate from his female partner to keep her safe and reduce the stress. Why would a pet guinea pig eat its own babies? 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. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long. Bathing them, if its something you plan to try, should wait until they are at least eight weeks old. But, can guinea pigs eat them? This can be startling and upsetting. Yes, guinea pigs like stuffed, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? We hope youve enjoyed this in depth article about cute baby guinea pigs!Guinea pig pups are quite unlike most other baby animals. (n.d.). The mother may eat her babies if one or more of her litter dies, or she is under a lot of stress. There are different ways you can give your guinea pigs attention, and one of them is a good, old-fashioned daily petting session. male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies, guinea pigs can get attached to their owners. Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. This can hurt their health and well-being. Make sure any seller houses male and female guinea pigs separately, or there could be a chance you'll take home a pregnant female. Give the orphaned puppy the same amount of water and evaporated guinea pig milk. We spent some time coming up with cute guinea pig names for our babies and decided upon the following; Moose, Aspen, Moon and Finn! Many people believe that male guinea pigs eat their babies as well. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs. 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. 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. However, you shouldnt touch the babies right after they are born. 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. 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. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. They reach their adult size very quickly. (Fun Facts). Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. This is why you should do everything in your power to make your female piggy feel at ease. Walter or Bob These guinea pigs sound like they should be wearing business suits on Wall Street. Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. Soak guinea pig pellets in water from the first day of life. But most people think of it as being around four weeks old, when they reach sexual maturity. Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. 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. They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. Guinea Pigs May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming. And guinea pigs are quite fertile little creatures too! What about baby guinea pigs for adoption? But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? You can also give them a comfortable place to sleep, like a bed or hammock. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. Hi there! So it is not good practice by caring breeders. Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. New Plymouth Vet Group. (Find Out Now), Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? To pick up your guinea pig move slowly and gently pick him up with two hands. A pregnant guinea pig requires a lot of extra nutrition. Well chart the milestones of their first days and weeks, and find out what to expect if you discover your female guinea pig is expecting. Here are some of our top baby guinea pig name lists to help you feel inspired! 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). Watch this video to learn more about guinea pig. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? By six weeks of age baby guinea pigs are self-sufficient and fully weaned. 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. Guinea pig babies are born looking like mini versions of their mama. RELATED: CLICK HERE for tips on how to tame your guinea pig (step by step guide). 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. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. The same goes for males. Baby guinea pigs are much smaller than their parents, so they can escape from the cage. Spaying a female guinea pig can be a risky procedure that not all veterinarians are willing to attempt. Make sure to separate your male guinea pigs from females in their litter too. Orphans should be fed by an eyedropper or pet nurse within the first 12 to 24 hours of life. Rather, they belong to a rodent species called cavies. (Such as blood and remaining body parts). It can be difficult to tell the difference between male and female guinea pigs under three weeks of age. At first your guinea pig baby may seem afraid when you pick him up. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. 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. Keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy is an ongoing process that will require lots of dedication and effort from you. Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. If you push gently on their lower abdomen the penis may appear. Besides, guinea pigs should eat about 1/8 of pellets, and about a cup of a mixture of herbs, vegetables, and fruits, but all in moderate amounts. Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. If you keep a male guinea pig with the mother and babies, introduce them slowly, so there is no aggression between the two adults. This should reduce their spatial and jealous tendency. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. Preview / Show more . You can take some precautions to lower the risk of a guinea pig baby being eaten. Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. 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. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. Whats your experience with newborn baby guinea pigs? Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. In the next section weve assembled some of the most commonly asked questions our readers have about their baby guinea pigs. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. Guinea pigs definitely can eat clementines. Guinea pigs love to communicate. Newborn guinea pigs weigh only 100 grams but they grow quickly. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. An adult guinea pig will never deliberately harm or eat a newborn guinea pig. Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. Guinea pig pregnancy seems short to us, but in fact it lasts a remarkably long time for their size. Its important to remember that guinea pigs are prey animals and they can get intimidated very easily. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. This is for several reasons: You should find this post helpful: Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? Thoroughly clean and disinfect the water bottle at least once per week. We know that guinea pigs typically stay with their baby for about three weeks. Expect to pay around $10 to $40 on average, though this can vary depending on factors such as age and coloring. Baby guinea pigs are called pups just like baby dogs. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Likely she has forgotten all about them, and is instead planning to to escape and start her next litter. If separated from their parents, they may become anxious and depressed. Provide a pregnant guinea pig with extra food, water, and nutrients. They need to stay with their mother guinea pigs and suck their milk, but they will quickly become active. Foreign bodies in the eye of a guinea pig result in tearing, and corneal ulcers, which, in some cases, form a translucent film over the eyes. When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. 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. Just keep your little friend with other females only. Adult guinea pigs eat timothy hay, orchard hay, or any other hay thats high in fiber. Guinea pigs make the best mothers and give puppies the best chance of survival. One under his chest and one under his bottom. Its important to know what signs to look out for so you can keep your piggies happy and healthy. If your guinea pig becomes acquainted with someone they don't trust, they may become quiet or hide when that person is nearby. 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. 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 time to breed guinea pigs is before the female turns 7 months of age. When separated from their parents, they often experience anxiety and depression. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. 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 blog will give you some helpful tips on how to make this a wonderful experience. While guinea pigs are usually docile, friendly and social creatures, adult males should not be around the babies under any circumstances. I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. If that happens in captivity, thats extremely rare. They might surprise you with how busy and outgoing they are too. At three weeks of age it was still hard for us to tell the difference between the males and females. But, if one or more of her litter is stillborn, she may eat it. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. It is important to make sure that the pups begin nursing within the first few hours of birth. Yes, it is okay to touch your new baby guinea pigs. 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. Its normal to be upset and sad. Find The Best Deals on Your Favorite guinea pig Products and Save! Once the pups arrive, monitor them closely to make sure nursing is established within 12 hours. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip Greens? Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. So, consider getting a cage large enough for them to play around. 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. But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! So, what is the answer? 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. Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort. I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. 11. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. Signs of Guinea pig loneliness, depression, and boredom include hair chewing, hiding, refusing to be handled, and general irritability. Also, they should have unlimited amounts of timothy hay and water all the time. All of the babies are usually born within 30 minutes once labor begins. Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. If one or two guinea pig pups suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten, especially if its been more than twenty four hours. Here you'll find the juicy goods to care for your little friends WITHOUT making your brain short-circuit. Regarding animal parents, there is no greater love than that of a mother for her young. A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn babies. There is a chance that your sow will only partially eat her offspring, particularly if she killed them by accident. They are not cannibalistic because they are starving. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. New babies are born with teeth, claws, and fur. Guinea pigs form close bonds with their families and can be very attached to their parents. 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. During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: Malnourished - not getting enough to eat of the right kinds of food Back to back pregnancies - due to nutrient deficiencies This was one question that had me really worried. Theyre filled with Vitamin C and other essential nutrients that guinea pigs need. 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. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! If her diet doesnt contain enough vital vitamins and nutrients, she can still be malnourished whilst receiving enough calories to maintain her body weight. 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. Once all the serious aspects of baby guinea pig care are in hand, you can turn your mind to more fun tasks, like picking their names. 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. 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. Do not disturb your guinea pigs when they are sleeping or nursing. If she is pregnant, her chances of suffering from some illness will also increase, which will tempt her to eat a lot. Thats what they do while also making your life a much brighter place. 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. Whether you plan on rearing your own litter of baby Abysinnian guinea pigs, or youre making plans to buy a baby Peruvian guinea pig, its valuable to be able to recognise whether theyre growing and developing normally for the species, and their breed. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. This little interaction will enable him warm to the introduction of a new cage mate better. In this article weve answered some frequently asked questions about newborn baby guinea pigs like: Whether you have a surprise guinea pig pregnancy or a planned one, there are a few things you will want to prepare in advance to make sure you are ready when your newborn baby guinea pigs arrive. Although piggies are so cute, you cant always be there to have a staring contest with them. Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. For the first 2-3 weeks , they will rely on their mother for milk. Pneumonia can occur with torticollis and can be fatal. Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. 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. Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. 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. Keep your little friend calm. This can harm the guinea pigs health, as they may become stressed or depressed. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. What Are Common Health Problems in Guinea Pigs? Try brushing your pets coats regularly as this can create soothing and pleasant connecting experiences. Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. A healthy pup will resist and move away from the mother, alerting her of her mistake.
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