After your guinea pig has given birth, shell clean up the evidence left behind to stop predators from tracking down their scent. Guinea pigs are not only kept as family pets, but like dogs, cats and rabbits, they are also bred for show. This can happen if the guinea pig is not being fed enough timothy hay, pellets, vitamin C supplements, etc. (Find Out Now), 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know), Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! Many people believe that male guinea pigs eat their babies as well. Just being near their most preferred people can give guinea pigs a lot of comfort. It's often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Just keep your little friend with other females only. Pregnant and lactating guinea pigs also need alfalfa hay to sustain their babies. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, Pregnancy toxemia in Guinea pigs. https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. 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. Newborn guinea pigs weigh only 100 grams but they grow quickly. It was fascinating to watch our new mom clean up after her newborn baby guinea pigs. During pregnancy your sow will need lots of energy and vitamin C, so make sure her hay doesnt run out, and offer a larger helping of fresh fruit and veg every day. 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. Any sudden movement or noise can scare them. As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. (And yes, its one of the more gruesome animal interactions in the wild.). But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! A pregnant guinea pig requires a lot of extra nutrition. 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 Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? 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. How Few Is Too Few? Calcium is very important for baby piggies as they are growing and developing. Its normal to be upset and sad. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. Here are some of our top baby guinea pig name lists to help you feel inspired! This is called precociality. Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies. Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. This is especially true for mammalian animals, who often form strong attachments with their young. 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. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? How long does it take for a baby guinea pig to walk? Guinea pigs diet rests on grasses, herbs, hay, and raw fruits and vegetables. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. https://amzn.to/3iYcPHPAs well as the new Pigg. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig. Honestly, I dont feel like its worth the risk. Guinea pigs eat their babies not because they want to kill them for food but for other reasons. But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? Expect to pay around $10 to $40 on average, though this can vary depending on factors such as age and coloring. 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. Do guinea pigs get attached to their babies? You might even have witnessed them start to join in with social grooming by this point. Like babies of all species, cute baby guinea pigs are tiny and winsome. Guinea pigs weigh between 700 and 1200g. 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. It's particularly common when introducing new guinea pigs for the first time. Remember to remove any they leave, as it will spoil quickly. 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. A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. And within a few hours nursing should be established. (What Owners Need To Know), What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? 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. Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat their babies. Extreme Stress -. This is an essential process as it helps to ensure that the young guinea pigs can develop properly. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that we could position it low enough for the babies to reach it. If the mother is experiencing starvation , she may eat her offspring as an ultimate last resort. 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. Guinea pigs definitely can eat clementines. You cannot do any harm by touching your adult guinea pig or its babies. This blog will give you some helpful tips on how to make this a wonderful experience. Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. Significantly, this is the age when pups will start to reach sexual maturity. If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. However, in captivity that shouldnt happen at all because responsible pet owners keep them separate from pregnant and lactating sows and their babies. Prepare to separate the male and female baby guinea pigs by at least three weeks of age. Female guinea pigs dont intentionally eat their babies nor do they kill them to eat them. What about baby guinea pigs for adoption? Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. They will understand. As herbivores, they dont eat meat at all. Or house her with a neutered male to prevent future pregnancies. This is pretty rare. Domestic guinea pigs originated in South America but today these vocal, sociable creatures thrive in households across the globe. The sow eating her pups may be starving. Here you'll find the juicy goods to care for your little friends WITHOUT making your brain short-circuit. Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. New Plymouth Vet Group. If separated from their parents, they may become anxious and depressed. A healthy pup will resist and move away from the mother, alerting her of her mistake. A female needs to give birth for the first time before the age of 7 months. No. But, when a pet parent has makes an intentional choice to breed, its really not worth the risk in most cases. (Find Out Now)Continue. 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. At worst, it can cause her to reject them. Guinea pig pregnancy seems short to us, but in fact it lasts a remarkably long time for their size. In the meantime, if you havent seen enough sweet pictures of baby guinea pigs yet, then why not visit our compilation of favorite guinea pig videos. Once they die, she might eat them. 2 3 cups mostly green, leafy vegetables, Occasional fruit too much sugar can lead to obesity. 11811 Shaker Blvd, #204, PMB 289Cleveland, Ohio 44120(216) 912-6291. If possible, you should be present during the birth to provide support and comfort to the mother. Do guinea pigs hurt their babies? - Your Wisdom Tips Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. Sufficient nutrition, a mixture of alfalfa and timothy grass, keeps female guinea pigs hydrated and can prevent guinea pigs from eating their babies. Spaying a female guinea pig can be a risky procedure that not all veterinarians are willing to attempt. Baby guinea pig care - The Guinea Pig Manual. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? Guinea pigs are tailless rodents that weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs. And if you push very gently, the penis might appear. I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. She is also teaching them how to interact with other guinea pigs. And make sure that the guinea pig mother is not present. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. You might also notice they squeak in distress when you take them away from their mom. Guinea pig babies are actually called pups. I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. i've been keeping this a secret for over a week now!! Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. They Talk to You A.K.A. 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 importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. Guinea pigs are social animals who rely on their families for support. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. This is just enough space to allow the guinea pigs to escape. Breeding of guinea pigs is strongly discouraged. Although guinea pigs occasionally sneeze, frequent sneezing is a sign of pneumonia, especially in response to climate change. 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. Sometimes it happens accidentally. Guinea Pigs May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming. They are able to see, hear and move around once they are born. Medical Disclaimer. Your guinea pig will be frustrated if their youngsters are upset or stressed. of 2-4. An average sized pup measures around 3 to 5 inches at birth, and very cylindrical roughly the size of a tangerine in fact! In the next section weve assembled some of the most commonly asked questions our readers have about their baby guinea pigs. Housing your guinea pig is not particularly difficult, as there are a large variety of hutches and cages commercially available. Guinea pigs can recognize their owners and other people they know and trust. One reason why a guinea pig mother might eat one of her pups is that she is extremely malnourished. New babies are born with teeth, claws, and fur. You don't have to be a professional breeder . But, if one or more of her litter is stillborn, she may eat it. 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. For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. This way, your guinea pig will not feel the need for extra nutrition. Each birth is spaced out every 3 5 minutes. Although pet guinea pigs eating their pups is a very rare incident, it does happen sometimes. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. 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. Any guinea pig lover would approve. (Find Out Now). Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. Most experts believe that guinea pigs are relatively emotionally resilient creatures and are unlikely to suffer significant emotional distress due to being separated from their young. Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. You can also ask your vet for advice and support. If your sow is in a very small enclosure, this could cause her unnecessary stress. 10. Simon or George More classic goodies. It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. An inexperienced sow might accidentally damage her young with her teeth whilst trying to clean them up after the birth. On the other hand, a male guinea pig eats guinea pig babies when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. 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. Newborn guinea pigs can open their eyes after they are born. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? (The Surprising Truth) Use the tips in this post to understand why piggies eat their babies and to prevent it from happening. 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. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. Guinea pig pregnancies are dangerous and the mortality rate is high both among guinea pig mothers and babies. 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. Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame. Theres no fixed moment when a guinea pig stops being a pup and becomes an adult. Wanna read something more boring than watching paint dry? Guinea pigs may miss their parents, but more research must confirm this. (Fun Facts). Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. There is a chance that your sow will only partially eat her offspring, particularly if she killed them by accident. They also live for several years, longer than most other rodents, so you can enjoy them longer than other pet rodents. (Benefits, Risks, Servings & FAQs), Baytril For Guinea Pigs (Side Effects, Efficacy, Dosage & FAQs), Signs Your Guinea Pig Hates You (Top 7 & And How to Fix It). Increase the protein content in your pregnant guinea pigs diet. 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. So, what is the answer? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. 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. 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. And of course, when you run a finger over the area, you wont feel a penis! Equally, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their babies because they dont eat meat. When baby guinea pigs grow up the males are called boars and the females are called sows. RELATED: CLICK HERE for 99 cute guinea pig names to help you choose. They are not cannibalistic because they are starving. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. Garner-Richardson, V., Guinea Pig Nutrition, The Veterinary Nurse, 2013. Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. Bartesaghi, R., Severi, S., Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Neuroscience, 2004. Its important to know what signs to look out for so you can keep your piggies happy and healthy. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. These small pets need a lot of food and nutrition. They will begin to wriggle and move about as soon as theyve been licked clean by their mom. If this happens, you should immediately remove the dead babies and dispose of them appropriately. Alternatively, you can contact local small animal shelters and ask if they have any baby guinea pigs for adoption. Do Guinea Pigs Recognize Their Owners? (How to Tell) Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. Orphans should be fed by an eyedropper or pet nurse within the first 12 to 24 hours of life. 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. Do guinea pigs get in heat? Explained by Sharing Culture Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. However, you shouldnt touch the babies right after they are born. Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. Its also the age of the youngest baby guinea pigs in pet stores. Do everything you can to fulfill the wants and needs of the pregnant female, to make her feel safe and comfortable. (n.d.). Within twenty-four hours they can start to eat grass, produce, hay, and pellet feed just like adults. Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. Just like with taming older guinea pigs be patient and consistent. Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape the enclosure? (2010, July 22). AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE You can certainly handle a little, because it wont make their mother reject them. The above is important because it allows the mother to continue feeding and grooming her young. They are able to express a wide range of emotions using different sounds and gestures. This is for several reasons: You should find this post helpful: Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. Not only that, but they also have a full body of fur, and even their little claws are developed. While it is a hard thing to think about, it can happen. 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). Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. Make sure your pig has a lot of food. How Old Are Guinea Pigs Before Leaving Their Mother? - Oddly Cute Pets 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. The average guinea pig gestation is 59 72 days. Read Also: How Often to Clean Guinea Pig Cage. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? (What You Need To Know)Continue. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Eat Their Young? Watch after your guinea pig while she gives birth. The best time to breed guinea pigs is before the female turns 7 months of age. If you are unsure, it is best to consult with a veterinarian to help determine the sex of the pups. Although guinea pigs need the presence of other guinea pigs, attention from human beings is also essential for their well-being. 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. Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. An adult guinea pig will never deliberately harm or eat a newborn guinea pig. Most people find that, when it comes to guinea pigs at least, babies are the cutest. They need supervised time out of their cages each day to run around and exercise. Merck Veterinary Manual. Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. Some guinea pigs are more likely to nuzzle or groom people or other guinea pigs. Regarding animal parents, there is no greater love than that of a mother for her young. A mix of alfalfa and timothy hay could keep the mother full and prevent this from happening. Sometimes it happens accidentally. This is a question that many guinea pig owners have. Guinea pigs eating babies is a rare but possible occurrence. 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. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. When your guinea pig is pregnant her Vitamin C requirements double to around 20mg per day. The surprising truth is that it happens more often than youd think. Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. One under his chest and one under his bottom. You need to be able to provide your guinea pigs with regular ample attention all the time. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? (700 to 1,100 grams), according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter? So, I took some time to do some research on it for you. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. 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. The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. 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.