First of all, dont be too hard on yourself. New babies are born with teeth, claws, and fur. Be prepared to assess them quickly, because they wont like to be held in that position for long! This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. Newborn guinea pigs can open their eyes after they are born. My mission is to teach others useful tips and tricks about these cute creatures. This can hurt their health and well-being. The mother may eat her babies if one or more of her litter dies, or she is under a lot of stress. Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. 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. But, if one or more of her litter is stillborn, she may eat it. It may take some time for him to become comfortable with you. This is pretty rare. The best time to breed guinea pigs is before the female turns 7 months of age. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. 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). Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. Baby guinea pigs feed on their mothers milk but soon they will need lots of alfalfa hay thats rich in calcium. [9] They will still need to nurse, though, for three weeks before they are ready to be removed from their mother. (n.d.). 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. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. 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. If the litter is too large, the mama . By giving them enough time with their mother, you reduce the risk that she will reject them. Ahhhh, clementines. How Can You Prevent Your Guinea Pig from Eating Its Young? Although they are capable of eating almost immediately, baby guineas do still need to nurse and they will seek milk about every two hours. Bear in mind this doesnt necessarily mean she is dangerously thin. Guinea pigs can eat their babies if they lack nutrition. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. And make sure that the guinea pig mother is not present. Any guinea pig lover would approve. You have to remember that these babies are coming out of the womb ready to run around the cage and have fun very quickly. More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. Equally, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their babies because they dont eat meat. Between then and reaching their full adult weight several months later, you might hear them being described as juniors. However, both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier. Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame. This way, your guinea pig will not feel the need for extra nutrition. 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. Over the next 2 weeks, decrease the feeding time gradually. Guinea Pigs May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming. Sows sometimes give birth during the night. Make sure your pig has a lot of food. Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. 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. So, consider getting a cage large enough for them to play around. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? They might surprise you with how busy and outgoing they are too. A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. To understand why a guinea pig mother killing and gobbling up her offspring is so rare and why its still a possibility (although it is a long shot), you need to know a little bit about the dynamics of. How Few Is Too Few? Place the cage in a quiet, draft-free area your home that is out of direct sunlight. This can be very misleading especially when it comes to motherhood as many animals eat their offspring in certain circumstances. Besides, always separate baby guinea pigs from male guinea pigs. If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. 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?) 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. Calcium is very important for baby piggies as they are growing and developing. And of course, when you run a finger over the area, you wont feel a penis! However, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their young at all because guinea pigs are herbivores. "Wheek" City. Thankfully, its only done when the mother feels she doesnt have any other option. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesnt recognize them as his own offspring. 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. Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. Show some tender feelings towards your guinea pig. Male baby guinea pigs have a donut-shaped genital opening in front of their anus. During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: This was one question that had me really worried. At three weeks of age it was still hard for us to tell the difference between the males and females. Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. Guinea pigs are different from many other species; they are born with teeth and fur, and almost immediately they can see and walk around. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies, guinea pigs can get attached to their owners. Increase the protein content in your pregnant guinea pigs diet. 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? Guinea pig babies are born very quickly. You can take some precautions to lower the risk of a guinea pig baby being eaten. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Kill Their Young? I thought they would be born helpless and look like baby rats or hamsters with no fur and their eyes closed. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. They have learned quite a few life skills from their mother and are ready to go to their new homes. If youre going to be away for an extended period, you may also want to consider finding a friend or family member to care for your guinea pig in your absence. Male guinea pigs have a donut-shaped opening. 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. If your guinea pig consistently has enough extra food, the chances of her needing to eat her pups drop to near zero. 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. Guinea pigs weigh between 700 and 1200g. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long. This little interaction will enable him warm to the introduction of a new cage mate better. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. However, some people have asked whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies after they have been separated. However, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not this is true. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. No matter how cute baby guinea pigs are, one litter at a time should be plenty for most people to think about. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. Caring for a guinea pig can be challenging if you are unsure whether it is missing its baby. 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. A male guinea pig eats the babies only by a strange occurrence. This is just enough space to allow the guinea pigs to escape. (Find Out Now). We were stressed out during this time because we did not want to have another unexpected guinea pig pregnancy. 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. They are able to see, hear and move around once they are born. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This usually happens when pups are stillborn, or born to ill to survive. 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. Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. 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. It is important to make sure that the pups begin nursing within the first few hours of birth. Guinea pigs mature quickly and will begin to nibble the hay, pellets and veggies fed to their mother within 24 hours. Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. To pick up your guinea pig move slowly and gently pick him up with two hands. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. 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. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. You might also notice they squeak in distress when you take them away from their mom. 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. Clements, M. and Kelly, J. In general, most female guinea pigs who survives birth and delivery will and raise her litter without any issues. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. 11. Filial cannibalism is when animals eat their own offspring. Any sudden movement or noise can scare them. On the other hand if youll be helping a sow to raise a litter of pups from birth, theres rather more to think about. Its also the age of the youngest baby guinea pigs in pet stores. 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. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. 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. Coming up with a cute guinea pig name is a lot of fun, but can be tough. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. The same goes for males. Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. Guinea pig litters can contain up to eight pups, but two, three or four is more usual. A guinea pig baby can show mating behaviors at about three to four weeks of age. 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. Domestic guinea pigs originated in South America but today these vocal, sociable creatures thrive in households across the globe. But, stick with me. 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. It was fascinating to watch our new mom clean up after her newborn baby guinea pigs. It is essential for guinea pigs to have social contact with other guinea pigs. Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. Significantly, this is the age when pups will start to reach sexual maturity. Orphans should be fed by an eyedropper or pet nurse within the first 12 to 24 hours of life. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? RSPCA Knowledgebase Let Australias most trusted animal welfare charity help you answer the big questions. (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. However, you should err on the side of caution. (What Owners Need To Know)Continue, If you notice drool on your guinea pigs face it can be a sign that somethings wrong. Signs of Guinea pig loneliness, depression, and boredom include hair chewing, hiding, refusing to be handled, and general irritability. 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. Breeding of guinea pigs is strongly discouraged. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. 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. This is why you should do everything in your power to make your female piggy feel at ease. Guinea pigs can jump over obstacles but these, When they recognize they are in danger, guinea pigs stand in one place for a long time then suddenly run very fast with a darting movement. (Find Out Now), Filial Cannibalism (and 7 Reasons Why Some Animal Moms Dine On Their Babies). 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. 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. Guinea pig babies are born looking like mini versions of their mama. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Squeaks and Nibbles is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, Squeaks and Nibbles is also 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. Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. 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. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that we could position it low enough for the babies to reach it. Pneumonia can occur with torticollis and can be fatal. They are cheerful and love to run around, squeak, eat, play, and poop. They are able to express a wide range of emotions using different sounds and gestures. B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? Rather, they belong to a rodent species called cavies. An adult guinea pig will never deliberately harm or eat a newborn guinea pig. Many time, the pup gets killed accidentally and the mother eats it because she has a survival instinct. If she is pregnant, her chances of suffering from some illness will also increase, which will tempt her to eat a lot. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. Let's hear it for the boys. Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. Guinea pigs may miss their parents, but more research must confirm this. And the result is that guinea pig babies are born already more mature than many other species. Wiki User 2008-10-08 02:35:56 This. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. Where can I find baby guinea pigs for sale? Its important to know what signs to look out for so you can keep your piggies happy and healthy. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. They use them to form social bonds and initiate mating, attract the attention of herd members over great distances, communicate sadness, and sound the alarm. Well be discussing more about this in todays article. Use the tips in this post to understand why piggies eat their babies and to prevent it from happening. Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. Guinea pigs love to communicate. They can impregnate mom and sisters! Additionally, when her babies are born she may eat them in order to prevent them from taking up the little space she has. Thats what they do while also making your life a much brighter place. 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. The sow eating her pups may be starving. Prepare to separate the male and female baby guinea pigs by at least three weeks of age. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. For guinea pigs to reproduce, a male guinea pig needs to fertilize the female. They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. The average lifespan of the guinea pig is four or five years, but it can live much longer. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. It's often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach Or Is It Bad For Them? You don't have to be a professional breeder . Do guinea pigs remember their parents? We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. Each birth is spaced out every 3 5 minutes. How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter? This can lead to health problems. (What You Need To Know)Continue. (Find Out Now), 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know), Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? The largest guinea pig litter recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records contained a whopping 17 pups! They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! But, when a pet parent has makes an intentional choice to breed, its really not worth the risk in most cases. Do guinea pigs get attached to their owners? So as long as the enclosure is secure and the bars are tight, you should be fine. There is a chance that your sow will only partially eat her offspring, particularly if she killed them by accident. It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. Give the orphaned puppy the same amount of water and evaporated guinea pig milk. Try brushing your pets coats regularly as this can create soothing and pleasant connecting experiences. If they are isolated, they may become lonely and sad. They will begin to wriggle and move about as soon as theyve been licked clean by their mom. Check out these most popular guinea pig products on the market: Last update on 2023-02-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Guinea pigs dont hibernate, but they will slow down their metabolism and activity in order to stay warm, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? You can expect your pup to wander curiously about their world during this time, but their legs are still a bit clumsy and theyre apt to suddenly plop down as they explore their environs. 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. If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. If you look after the guinea pig mother regularly, she will allow you to touch her baby guinea pigs. 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. Yet, sometimes, guinea pigs can eat their babies. 3 hours ago WebBaby Guinea Pig Diet The first week of life is critical. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. If you carefully run a finger over the area, you should be able to feel the shaft of their penis under the skin. This website was inspired by our guinea pig pair, Theo and Remmy, and is our familys journey to becoming the best guinea pig parents. Watch this video to learn more about guinea pig. Your guinea pig will be frustrated if their youngsters are upset or stressed. However, if its weak it might put up little resistance and be eaten entirely. When your guinea pig is pregnant they need more food than usual, and its surprisingly easy to give them less than what they need. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. (And How? On the other hand, if it turns out that they don't form any attachment to their young, then we can . 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. If a typical guinea pig male suspects that the babies are not his own (whether or not this is the case in reality), he may kill and eat them. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. Make sure to feed your guinea pig hay of high quality. The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUniverseReflected The all natural Piggies Choice Hay Racks are available finally! Here are some things we had to think about when we found out our guinea pig was pregnant: We adhered to the following recommended feeding guidelines for pregnant guinea pigs: RELATED: CLICK HERE to read about our unexpected guinea pig pregnancy and how to tell if your guinea pig is pregnant. This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs. 11811 Shaker Blvd, #204, PMB 289Cleveland, Ohio 44120(216) 912-6291. 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.