They will understand. Keep the male guinea pig separate from his female partner to keep her safe and reduce the stress. This page is stuffed full of information about how to care for your baby guinea pig. That is a common myth and is not true. Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. However, some people have asked whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies after they have been separated. Walter or Bob These guinea pigs sound like they should be wearing business suits on Wall Street. Wanna read something more boring than watching paint dry? 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. By the time theyre a month old, baby guinea pigs body shape rather resembles that of a syrian hamster. Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. However, in captivity that shouldnt happen at all because responsible pet owners keep them separate from pregnant and lactating sows and their babies. Although they are able to conceive year-round, springtime is the peak window for baby guineas appearing on the scene. Watch after your guinea pig while she gives birth. This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. If your sow has eaten her own babies, you may want to consider changing her living conditions. The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn babies. Guinea pig babies are born looking like mini versions of their mama. Honestly, I dont feel like its worth the risk. Thankfully, its only done when the mother feels she doesnt have any other option. We will help you to raise your baby guinea pigs to become healthy, happy pets. Signs of Guinea pig loneliness, depression, and boredom include hair chewing, hiding, refusing to be handled, and general irritability. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. How Can You Prevent Your Guinea Pig from Eating Its Young? 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. When you decide to introduce baby guinea pigs to an adult guinea pig, follow their behavior (monitor them for aggression) and respond quickly. Filial cannibalism is when animals eat their own offspring. Guinea pigs are fragile animals at any age but especially during their early days of life. Alternatively, you can contact local small animal shelters and ask if they have any baby guinea pigs for adoption. These colorful, chore charts will help you keep track of when to feed your fuzz butts, clean their cages, and much more. Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. Baby guinea pigs are much smaller than their parents, so they can escape from the cage. We hope you found this article helpful about what to expect when expecting newborn baby guinea pigs! How long does it take for guinea pigs to be born? Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. You need to be able to provide your guinea pigs with regular ample attention all the time. 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. 3 hours ago WebBaby Guinea Pig Diet The first week of life is critical. They need supervised time out of their cages each day to run around and exercise. A mix of alfalfa and timothy hay could keep the mother full and prevent this from happening. 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. Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. Sometimes, male Guinea pigs will eat pups if they were fathered by another cavy. You can find a mentor by asking your local cavy club to put you in touch with suitable experienced breeders. When separated from their parents, they often experience anxiety and depression. Most species clean their offspring with their tongue and so do your little friends. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. the babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. This way they can easily confuse their predator and a group of guinea pigs doing this is known as a stampede.. They are able to see, hear and move around once they are born. 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. A mother guinea pig can eat her babies if one of the babies is born dead. New babies are born with teeth, claws, and fur. Coming up with a cute guinea pig name is a lot of fun, but can be tough. They reach their adult size very quickly. Guinea pig babies can walk, see, and hear, as soon as they are born, and most start nibbling on solid foods within a few days. How do I know when my guinea pig is ready to give birth? Giving birth is very stressful for the guinea pig mother and the babies. 4. Guinea pig babies are actually called pups. If they are isolated, they may become lonely and sad. Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. Donnelly, T. M. and Brown, C. J., Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry, Veterinary Clinics Exotic Animal Practice, 2004. Sometimes it happens accidentally. Bathing them, if its something you plan to try, should wait until they are at least eight weeks old. Guinea pigs love to communicate. Most guinea pigs cages are designed for adult guinea pigs with a one inch space between the bars. You have to remember that these babies are coming out of the womb ready to run around the cage and have fun very quickly. Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. Baby boars must be separated from mama at three weeks. B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. [9] They will still need to nurse, though, for three weeks before they are ready to be removed from their mother. Baby guinea pigs are unique in that they are born with their eyes open! This can harm the guinea pigs health, as they may become stressed or depressed. If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Paying lots of brief visits to your litter with mother, and getting them used to gentle handling without worrying them are going to be a vital foundation of good socialization. So, its possible for their mother (especially if shes inexperienced with babies) to kill them with too much force. If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. 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. Many living creatures eat other members of their species when necessary for survival. I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. (Fun Facts). 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. Do guinea pigs get attached to their owners? At the end of the day we removed the fleece bedding, washed it and replaced it with a fresh fleece liner. Continue to give milk to puppies for 21 days even when they start eating solid food. Guinea pigs may miss their parents, but more research must confirm this. 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. Or house her with a neutered male to prevent future pregnancies. Here you'll find the juicy goods to care for your little friends WITHOUT making your brain short-circuit. Following delivery, your guinea pig mama will be exhausted and hungry. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. Try brushing your pets coats regularly as this can create soothing and pleasant connecting experiences. New guinea pig breeds are formalised by the American Cavy Breeders Association, who also oversee breed standards and competitions in the United States. But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? However, they will continue to feed on their mothers milk as well. Guinea pigs eat their babies not because they want to kill them for food but for other reasons. This can lead to health problems. Or at least make it a less dangerous one, for you, the guinea pig mother, and the baby piggies. If you carefully run a finger over the area, you should be able to feel the shaft of their penis under the skin. You can certainly handle a little, because it wont make their mother reject them. The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. Many others survive but have problems.Additionally, theres thousands (if not tens of thousands) of piggies without good homes now. (Keep that food bowl appropriately full!) Keep in mind that guinea pigs are not the best choice to raise other female guinea pigs babies. 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. For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. Getting guinea pigs used to handling from an early age is an important part of rearing confident, relaxed pets. From the moment they are born they are unusually mature and capable of looking after themselves. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? That way she doesnt have to deal with the stress of more pregnancies. 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. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. (n.d.). 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. Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. RELATED: CLICK HERE for 99 cute guinea pig names to help you choose. Ask your vet for advice if this isnt the case. Do Chickens Get Lonely? Make sure to feed your guinea pig hay of high quality. One reason why a guinea pig mother might eat one of her pups is that she is extremely malnourished. Always consult your vet if you think a baby guinea pig overly small, or failing to thrive. Bartesaghi, R., Severi, S., Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Neuroscience, 2004. In the next section weve assembled some of the most commonly asked questions our readers have about their baby guinea pigs. This article has been extensively revised for 2019. If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. Baby guinea pigs are called pups. What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? When they grow up, male guinea pigs are called boars, and females are called sows. There is a chance that your sow will only partially eat her offspring, particularly if she killed them by accident. Berryman, J. C., Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Ethology, 1976. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. But if you have a tiny little guinea pig with a noteworthy squeak, this name is pretty darn adorable. Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort. We found the following cage on Amazon that worked really well. They have small bodies and big eyes. I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. Put him back with his mother if he becomes vocal or squirmy. She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. New Plymouth Vet Group. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. To avoid the risk of your guinea pig, eating her babies, take these safety steps. Three weeks marks the earliest point at which pups may stop nursing from their mother. Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. Sows sometimes give birth during the night. For the first 2-3 weeks , they will rely on their mother for milk. Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? So your guinea pig is pregnant. Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. 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. The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. Make sure to separate your male guinea pigs from females in their litter too. This is where they learn how to bond and behave in a herd. https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? Sometimes it happens accidentally. 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. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. 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. Breeding and reproduction of Guinea pigs All other pets Merck veterinary manual. While it might not be anything to worry about, sometimes it can be a sign of sickness. Im guessing you probably have a lot of questions about guinea pig pregnancies. They Talk to You A.K.A. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. Newborn guinea pigs weigh only 100 grams but they grow quickly. In general, the color of Abyssinian guinea pigs is associated with congenital eye defects and digestive problems. The surprising truth is that it happens more often than youd think. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. Yet, sometimes, guinea pigs can eat their babies. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. We hope youve enjoyed this in depth article about cute baby guinea pigs!Guinea pig pups are quite unlike most other baby animals. The average guinea pig gestation is 59 72 days. 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. I didnt know how we would handle it if Theo rejected her babies or even worse ate her young! Change the water daily. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. 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. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140328-sloth-bear-zoo-infanticide-chimps-bonobos-animals, Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy: The Stages of Pregnancy. Guinea pigs are different from many other species; they are born with teeth and fur, and almost immediately they can see and walk around. They also live for several years, longer than most other rodents, so you can enjoy them longer than other pet rodents. 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. Female guinea pigs have a Y-shaped opening close to their anus. Extreme Stress -. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. 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. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. It is essential for guinea pigs to have social contact with other guinea pigs. I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. Where can I find baby guinea pigs for sale? I thought they would be born helpless and look like baby rats or hamsters with no fur and their eyes closed. And all the behaviors theyll need to carry out for themselves instead of having performed for them by mom like grooming will be well established. https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. National Geographic. A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. 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. (What You Need To Know)Continue. They need to stay with their mother guinea pigs and suck their milk, but they will quickly become active. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. Lets take a closer look at this exciting topic. Provide a pregnant guinea pig with extra food, water, and nutrients. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. 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. Some guinea pig moms have their maternity care kicked in as they give birth while others take some time . Thankfully, she had an uneventful pregnancy and birth and did not eat her babies. You have entered an incorrect email address! Thats what they do while also making your life a much brighter place. These small pets need a lot of food and nutrition. All of the babies are usually born within 30 minutes once labor begins. This is a question that many guinea pig owners have. Although pet guinea pigs eating their pups is a very rare incident, it does happen sometimes. It is important to make sure that the pups begin nursing within the first few hours of birth. Guinea pigs dont hibernate, but they will slow down their metabolism and activity in order to stay warm, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? Guinea pig babies are called "pups" when they are born and are birthed into litters. (And yes, its one of the more gruesome animal interactions in the wild.). Guinea pigs are peaceful creatures. Although guinea pigs need the presence of other guinea pigs, attention from human beings is also essential for their well-being. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. Its important to know what signs to look out for so you can keep your piggies happy and healthy. Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. Yes, it is okay to touch your new baby guinea pigs. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. Domestic guinea pigs originated in South America but today these vocal, sociable creatures thrive in households across the globe. Guinea pigs eating babies is a rare but possible occurrence. 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. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. (Find Out Now), Filial Cannibalism (and 7 Reasons Why Some Animal Moms Dine On Their Babies). Its also the age of the youngest baby guinea pigs in pet stores. Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. This is a question that has long been debated when it comes to 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. For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. Read Also: How Often to Clean Guinea Pig Cage. Guinea pigs mature quickly and will begin to nibble the hay, pellets and veggies fed to their mother within 24 hours. Usually, the mother will eat the baby right after it's born. If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. First of all, dont be too hard on yourself. I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. (Find Out Now). Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. 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. Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter? 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. (2014, March 28). Babies grow fast. In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig. 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. One under his chest and one under his bottom. In almost all species, males are inherently territorial. If her diet doesnt contain enough vital vitamins and nutrients, she can still be malnourished whilst receiving enough calories to maintain her body weight. 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. Show some tender feelings towards your guinea pig. Just simply focusing on your guinea pigs and trying to chat with them every day can go a long way. Guinea pig pregnancy seems short to us, but in fact it lasts a remarkably long time for their size. The standard litter can range from one to six little pups, with an avg. It is also quite normal for baby guinea pigs to whine when approached by a much bigger and older guinea pig. A mother guinea pig needs to clean the babies and eat the afterbirth to chemically generate the mammary glands to start producing milk. However, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not this is true. i've been keeping this a secret for over a week now!! 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?) 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. Squeaks, Scales and Tails is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC an affiliate advertising program. Baby guinea pigs are capable of digesting solid food very soon after birth (within hours). Although they spring out with open eyes and fully furred, piggie pups are still small and fragile at first. Most people find that, when it comes to guinea pigs at least, babies are the cutest. When can baby guinea pigs be separated from their mother? Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? However, taking some precautions can bring you peace of mind that your sow wont need to eat her babies. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? Your guinea pig wont eat its babies if you touch them. Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. Make sure any seller houses male and female guinea pigs separately, or there could be a chance you'll take home a pregnant female. and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, Pregnancy toxemia in Guinea pigs. It is perfectly fine to handle your new guinea pigs within the first week. When you touch them be soft and gentle. The same goes for males. The best items to put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage are absorbent,, Read More 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know)Continue, Pet parents who consider housing their guinea pigs outside often wonder whether or not their pet guinea pigs can hibernate. 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. Place one hand under their tummy and one behind their bottom, and hold the little guy close to you. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. Guinea pigs are social animals who rely on their families for support. An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies.
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