Its just as important that your baby guinea pig also spends most of their time with other guinea pigs. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. Thankfully, its only done when the mother feels she doesnt have any other option. 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. (n.d.). It is important to note that guinea pigs can get attached to their owners and may experience signs of separation anxiety when they are not around. and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? Like babies of all species, cute baby guinea pigs are tiny and winsome. National Geographic. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. ), Guinea pigs can suffer from running lice. For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. How long before you can handle baby guinea pigs? She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. Make sure your pig has a lot of food. 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. 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. Coming up with a cute guinea pig name is a lot of fun, but can be tough. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. (Find Out Now), Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? 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. How Few Is Too Few? When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. By giving them enough time with their mother, you reduce the risk that she will reject them. 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. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? This page is stuffed full of information about how to care for your baby guinea pig. Individuals will be starting to show their own distinct personalities too. From the moment they are born they are unusually mature and capable of looking after themselves. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. Guinea pigs can eat their babies if they lack nutrition. Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. Guinea pigs have a good sense of hearing, so they will potentially even be able to hear you coming from down the hall. A mother guinea pig needs to clean the babies and eat the afterbirth to chemically generate the mammary glands to start producing milk. Why would a pet guinea pig eat its own babies? Stress can cause guinea pigs to eat their babies, and stress-induced cannibalism is also very common in guinea pigs, and unfortunately, quite unavoidable at times.Do your best to keep them well fed and give them plenty of rest so they can stay calm. For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. Also, they should have unlimited amounts of timothy hay and water all the time. But, can guinea pigs eat them? How Can I Prevent Guinea Pigs From Eating Their Babies? It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. Baby guinea pigs typically stay with their mother for about three weeks, but this can vary depending on the situation. A male guinea pig eats the babies only by a strange occurrence. Do not over-handle the mother or you could cause her stress which will lead . 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. Newborn guinea pigs weigh only 100 grams but they grow quickly. Watch this video to learn more about guinea pig. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. This can be startling and upsetting. But, give them time to bond with their mother so they can nurse. Since males can get any female guinea pig pregnant once they reach maturity - including their mothers - they're weaned and taken from their mother at three weeks old. During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: This was one question that had me really worried. 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. When you decide to introduce baby guinea pigs to an adult guinea pig, follow their behavior (monitor them for aggression) and respond quickly. This is one of the biggest reasons why a sow will engage in filial cannibalism. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. 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. The average lifespan of the guinea pig is four or five years, but it can live much longer. 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. The next thing you need to take care of is that make sure that their cages are heavy, comfortable, and not escapable. Always consult your vet if you think a baby guinea pig overly small, or failing to thrive. Within twenty-four hours they can start to eat grass, produce, hay, and pellet feed just like adults. Between then and reaching their full adult weight several months later, you might hear them being described as juniors. Lake Shore Veterinary Hospital offers the following helpful advice: If you touch her belly a couple of centimeters ahead of the anus, you will be able to feel that the pelvic bones have spread apart. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. Not only that, but they also have a full body of fur, and even their little claws are developed. This should reduce their spatial and jealous tendency. B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. Wed love to hear from you in the comments below. Regarding animal parents, there is no greater love than that of a mother for her young. Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. It is okay for you to handle the pups during the nursing period. If The Male Doesn't Believe the Babies Are His. What Are Common Health Problems in Guinea Pigs? However, too much calcium is dangerous for an adult guinea pig. 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. (What Owners Need To Know)Continue, If you notice drool on your guinea pigs face it can be a sign that somethings wrong. Just keep your little friend with other females only. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. Female guinea pigs dont intentionally eat their babies nor do they kill them to eat them. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? Each birth is spaced out every 3 5 minutes. So, if youve been wanting to know if guinea pigs usually miss their owners, we hope you have the answer now. That is a common myth and is not true. My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. Secondly, even an experienced guinea pig mom might resort to eating her young if she is severely malnourished. The male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies is important because he helps keep them warm and protects them from predators. Babies grow fast. 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. Just like with taming older guinea pigs be patient and consistent. And of course, when you run a finger over the area, you wont feel a penis! Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. And, when it happens, it is usually an accident, not a rule, and intentional behavior. Spaying a female guinea pig can be a risky procedure that not all veterinarians are willing to attempt. It may take some time for him to become comfortable with you. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? Can Rabbits Eat Grapes Pros And Cons of Grapes For Rabbits. Although guinea pigs occasionally sneeze, frequent sneezing is a sign of pneumonia, especially in response to climate change. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. Provide a pregnant guinea pig with extra food, water, and nutrients. Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. (Find Out Now)Continue, Choosing the right materials to use a as a cage liner for your guinea pigs cage can seem daunting especially when youre a new pet parent. She is also teaching them how to interact with other guinea pigs. Signs of Guinea pig loneliness, depression, and boredom include hair chewing, hiding, refusing to be handled, and general irritability. Domestic guinea pigs originated in South America but today these vocal, sociable creatures thrive in households across the globe. Some say that they do not form the same type of attachment as other animals, while others believe that they do experience a certain level of sadness after their young have been weaned. Remember to remove any they leave, as it will spoil quickly. If possible, you should be present during the birth to provide support and comfort to the mother. What about baby guinea pigs for adoption? Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. The above is important because it allows the mother to continue feeding and grooming her young. A mother guinea pig can eat her babies if one of the babies is born dead. RELATED: CLICK HERE for 99 cute guinea pig names to help you choose. An inexperienced sow might accidentally damage her young with her teeth whilst trying to clean them up after the birth. Alternatively, you can contact local small animal shelters and ask if they have any baby guinea pigs for adoption. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. The standard litter can range from one to six little pups, with an avg. Make sure she always has enough food. However, if its weak it might put up little resistance and be eaten entirely. Guinea pig pregnancy seems short to us, but in fact it lasts a remarkably long time for their size. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. If you are unsure, it is best to consult with a veterinarian to help determine the sex of the pups. Under normal circumstances, the sow will give birth and have a healthy litter of pups. i am so excited!!! Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. When your guinea pig is pregnant her Vitamin C requirements double to around 20mg per day. Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that we could position it low enough for the babies to reach it. Getting guinea pigs used to handling from an early age is an important part of rearing confident, relaxed pets. Over the next 2 weeks, decrease the feeding time gradually. Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. They need supervised time out of their cages each day to run around and exercise. If your sow has eaten her own babies, you may want to consider changing her living conditions. If you are considering getting a guinea pig, ensure you can provide them with the social interaction they need. If you keep a male guinea pig with the mother and babies, introduce them slowly, so there is no aggression between the two adults. When a guinea pig is about to give birth, any male guinea pigs near her will gather around and try to become the dominant male in order to both protect the female and mate with her. Giving birth is very stressful for guinea pigs and the mortality rate of pregnant guinea pigs is quite high due to complications that occur during the delivery process. 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. Male baby guinea pigs have a donut-shaped genital opening in front of their anus. 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. (2010, July 22). When they grow up, male guinea pigs are called boars, and females are called sows. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. (What Owners Need To Know), What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesnt recognize them as his own offspring. One reason why a guinea pig mother might eat one of her pups is that she is extremely malnourished. Guinea pigs can typically handle labor and delivery without intervention; however, guinea pigs can die during the birthing process. This is an essential process as it helps to ensure that the young guinea pigs can develop properly. My mission is to teach others useful tips and tricks about these cute creatures. The same goes for males. Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . In general, most female guinea pigs who survives birth and delivery will and raise her litter without any issues. We know that guinea pigs typically stay with their baby for about three weeks. (700 to 1,100 grams), according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). Six or seven weeks old is the age at which most breeders will let their pups go to their new homes. Yes, guinea pigs do eat their babies. As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. When your guinea pig is pregnant they need more food than usual, and its surprisingly easy to give them less than what they need. If separated from their parents, they may become anxious and depressed. 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). 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. Dont be surprised if your pup lets out a little chirp as a means of asking for food! Guinea pigs and other rodents do not eat their babies because they are hungry. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. This is pretty rare. 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. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. The more factors that are present, the higher likelihood shell eat her pups. After giving birth, the mother guinea pig is likely to eat the placenta but can end up eating her babies by mistake. The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. Guinea pigs are also notorious communicators, and they start vocalising from babyhood. But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! 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.
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