Make sure your pig has a lot of food. However, taking some precautions can bring you peace of mind that your sow wont need to eat her babies. I didnt know how we would handle it if Theo rejected her babies or even worse ate her young! 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. We used fleece bedding which we spot cleaned throughout the day by removing poop and leftover food. https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. Use the tips in this post to understand why piggies eat their babies and to prevent it from happening. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? How Few Is Too Few? Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. Male guinea pigs have a donut-shaped opening. Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. 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 one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. 3 hours ago WebBaby Guinea Pig Diet The first week of life is critical. However, we always recommend having more than one guinea pig because these small animals are social creatures and they need company. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. 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. 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. If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . Weaning age depends on several factors including the pups weight, the mothers milk supply, and the number of siblings. Wed love to hear about your experiences in the comment section below! Increase the protein content in your pregnant guinea pigs diet. Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesn't recognize them as his own offspring. However, you should err on the side of caution. 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. However, they can seriously injure them when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. You need to make the entire environment guinea pig-friendly. Caring for baby guinea pigs can be a rewarding experience if you know what to expect. Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. (700 to 1,100 grams), according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). Your guinea pig wont eat its babies if you touch them. Firstly, please provide them with plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied. Some guinea pigs are more likely to nuzzle or groom people or other guinea pigs. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long. RELATED: CLICK HERE for 99 cute guinea pig names to help you choose. Its important to remember that guinea pigs are prey animals and they can get intimidated very easily. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. It may take some time for him to become comfortable with you. Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? 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. And the result is that guinea pig babies are born already more mature than many other species. As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the water bottle at least once per week. If you look after the guinea pig mother regularly, she will allow you to touch her baby guinea pigs. It is essential for guinea pigs to have social contact with other guinea pigs. Getting guinea pigs used to handling from an early age is an important part of rearing confident, relaxed pets. Yes, guinea pigs like stuffed, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. This usually happens when pups are stillborn, or born to ill to survive. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that we could position it low enough for the babies to reach it. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. Following delivery, your guinea pig mama will be exhausted and hungry. They are basically saying . Do not disturb your guinea pigs when they are sleeping or nursing. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? Its normal to be upset and sad. This little interaction will enable him warm to the introduction of a new cage mate better. Even then, they must be handled very gently. An inexperienced sow might accidentally damage her young with her teeth whilst trying to clean them up after the birth. The guinea pig fathers dont play any role in taking care of the litter, and can do more harm than good (sorry piggie dads!). It is okay for you to handle the pups during the nursing period. 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. Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. Giving birth is very stressful for the guinea pig mother and the babies. An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies. Many people believe that male guinea pigs eat their babies as well. Guinea pig pups are essentially born ready to go: their eyes are open, they have hair and a full set of teeth, and they can run around on their own. So, what is the answer? Guinea pig pregnancy seems short to us, but in fact it lasts a remarkably long time for their size. She is more likely to eat her babies as she can confuse the placenta and the babies. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. 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. How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter? Guinea pigs dont hibernate, but they will slow down their metabolism and activity in order to stay warm, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? 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. Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. The male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies is important because he helps keep them warm and protects them from predators. The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. They are able to express a wide range of emotions using different sounds and gestures. Their compact, cylindrical bodies range from 8 to 10 inches . 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. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. 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. On the other hand if youll be helping a sow to raise a litter of pups from birth, theres rather more to think about. 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. And within a few hours nursing should be established. Cage size Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape? male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies, guinea pigs can get attached to their owners. In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a 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. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUniverseReflected The all natural Piggies Choice Hay Racks are available finally! When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. But if you have a tiny little guinea pig with a noteworthy squeak, this name is pretty darn adorable. And of course, when you run a finger over the area, you wont feel a penis! Guinea pigs make the best mothers and give puppies the best chance of survival. If you are a new guinea pig parent or have an unexpected pregnancy like we did, you too may have lots of questions about newborn baby guinea pigs. The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. Baby guinea pigs are capable of digesting solid food very soon after birth (within hours). Regarding animal parents, there is no greater love than that of a mother for her young. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat 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. They need supervised time out of their cages each day to run around and exercise. Sows must also have a constant supply of hay (alfalfa for the extra calories) and pellets. Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. The good news is that its unlikely for your pregnant pet to eat her offspring. Guinea Pigs do best when living with at least one similar companion, and pets that live without another Guinea pig sometimes become lonely and depressed. If possible, you should be present during the birth to provide support and comfort to the mother. Want to know more? Extreme Stress -. What Are Common Health Problems in Guinea Pigs? If the litter is too large, the mama . Baby guinea pig care - The Guinea Pig Manual. and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? So your guinea pig is pregnant. How To Prevent a New Mother from Eating Her Babies? Babies grow fast. Guinea pigs may miss their parents, but more research must confirm this. Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. If her diet doesnt contain enough vital vitamins and nutrients, she can still be malnourished whilst receiving enough calories to maintain her body weight. 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. So, pet parents should be cautious and prepared when dealing with pregnant sows. If she is pregnant, her chances of suffering from some illness will also increase, which will tempt her to eat a lot. Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). Guinea pigs form close bonds with their families and can be very attached to their parents. 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. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. If that happens in captivity, its a rare exception. Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. Guinea pigs can recognize their owners and other people they know and trust. Prepare to separate the male and female baby guinea pigs by at least three weeks of age. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. Most guinea pigs cages are designed for adult guinea pigs with a one inch space between the bars. Do Chickens Get Lonely? Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. (Find Out Now), 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know), Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? To avoid the risk of your guinea pig, eating her babies, take these safety steps. The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. On the other hand, if it turns out that they don't form any attachment to their young, then we can . A pregnant guinea pig requires a lot of extra nutrition. If you push gently on their lower abdomen the penis may appear. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesnt recognize them as his own offspring. You can also give them a comfortable place to sleep, like a bed or hammock. Newborn guinea pigs weigh only 100 grams but they grow quickly. Each birth is spaced out every 3 5 minutes. Usually, the mother will eat the baby right after it's born. This is pretty rare. Even though they share similar names, guinea pigs do not belong to either the dog or pig family. Just keep your little friend with other females only. Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. From there you can jump straight to the answers you need, or join us for a complete overview of baby guinea pig development, week by week. This is one of the biggest reasons why a sow will engage in filial cannibalism. What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? However, they will continue to feed on their mothers milk as well. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. Whereas there are over 13 Guinea Pig breeds, English, Abyssinian, and Peruvian Guinea Pigs are the most well-liked. Here you'll find the juicy goods to care for your little friends WITHOUT making your brain short-circuit. Place the cage in a quiet, draft-free area your home that is out of direct sunlight. This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs. 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. To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. You can also ask your vet for advice and support. 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. Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. 9. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? Here are some of our top baby guinea pig name lists to help you feel inspired! It is fine to carefully handle your new guinea pig pups during their first week, but be sure to allow them plenty of time with their mother as well. Dont be surprised if your pup lets out a little chirp as a means of asking for food! Copyright 2021 - 2023 Guinea Pig Den | Jennifer Franklin Media LLCThis site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. Just like big farmyard pigs! Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. That way she doesnt have to deal with the stress of more pregnancies. Yes, guinea pigs do mourn. 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. Clements, M. and Kelly, J. Put him back with his mother if he becomes vocal or squirmy. (Find Out Now). If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. Guinea pig babies are born looking like mini versions of their mama. Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame. But, can guinea pigs eat them? 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. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. That is a common myth and is not true. Orphans should be fed by an eyedropper or pet nurse within the first 12 to 24 hours of life. If your guinea pig becomes acquainted with someone they don't trust, they may become quiet or hide when that person is nearby. They are cheerful and love to run around, squeak, eat, play, and poop. If you are considering getting a guinea pig, ensure you can provide them with the social interaction they need. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. This can lead to health problems. Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. For the first 2-3 weeks , they will rely on their mother for milk. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. Guinea pigs are different from many other species; they are born with teeth and fur, and almost immediately they can see and walk around. Why Guinea Pigs Are Less Likely To Eat Their Babies? 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. This is just enough space to allow the guinea pigs to escape. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. This can harm the guinea pigs health, as they may become stressed or depressed. Even their own children. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. The largest guinea pig litter recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records contained a whopping 17 pups! Guinea Pigs make excellent pets due to their playful, social nature. (Find Out Now), Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? While it is a hard thing to think about, it can happen. Expect to pay around $10 to $40 on average, though this can vary depending on factors such as age and coloring. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. 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. 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? Do guinea pigs remember their parents? If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. Almost the only reason why a female guinea pig can kill her babies is that she is so stressed that her mind cannot handle the strain. 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. Berryman, J. C., Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Ethology, 1976. At first your guinea pig baby may seem afraid when you pick him up. 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. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. Under normal circumstances, the sow will give birth and have a healthy litter of pups. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. 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. Continue to give milk to puppies for 21 days even when they start eating solid food.