Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. 9. Any guinea pig lover would approve. How do you tell if a baby guinea pig is a boy or girl? Domestic guinea pigs originated in South America but today these vocal, sociable creatures thrive in households across the globe. An adult guinea pig will never deliberately harm or eat a newborn guinea pig. If your guinea pig consistently has enough extra food, the chances of her needing to eat her pups drop to near zero. A newborn guinea pig might weigh around 3.5 ounces or 100 grams. 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. 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. How To Prevent a New Mother from Eating Her Babies? Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. We used fleece bedding which we spot cleaned throughout the day by removing poop and leftover food. Guinea pig babies are born very quickly. What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. (What Owners Need To Know), What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? This should reduce their spatial and jealous tendency. However, separate male guinea pig babies from their mothers when they turn about two months old. The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. Your guinea pig will be frustrated if their youngsters are upset or stressed. As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Kill Their Young? We know that guinea pigs typically stay with their baby for about three weeks. When you pick them up secure one hand beneath the stomach and one under the bottom and hold close to your chest. Here are some of our top baby guinea pig name lists to help you feel inspired! A male guinea pig eats the babies only by a strange occurrence. 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. Baby guinea pigs are much smaller than their parents, so they can escape from the cage. https://amzn.to/3iYcPHPAs well as the new Pigg. 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. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, Pregnancy toxemia in Guinea pigs. You can also ask your vet for advice and support. When they dont respond to her attention, she tries cleaning them more and more vigorously, until eventually she ends up damaging them. 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. i've been keeping this a secret for over a week now!! Secondly, even an experienced guinea pig mom might resort to eating her young if she is severely malnourished. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. 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. AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE 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. For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. Individuals will be starting to show their own distinct personalities too. They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! 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. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. This way, your guinea pig will not feel the need for extra nutrition. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. Honestly, I dont feel like its worth the risk. Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. At six weeks old baby guineas pigs are fully weaned, and have stopped nursing from their mother. (Such as blood and remaining body parts). Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Sometimes adults will do this with each other too. A mix of alfalfa and timothy hay could keep the mother full and prevent this from happening. At the end of the day we removed the fleece bedding, washed it and replaced it with a fresh fleece liner. But recognising the biological reasons why it occurs makes it easier to avoid. While it is certainly possible that guinea pigs may experience separation anxiety after their babies have been taken away, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that this is the case. 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. This blog will give you some helpful tips on how to make this a wonderful experience. Simon or George More classic goodies. They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. 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. We read that the bedding needs to be changed daily. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. This is for several reasons: You should find this post helpful: Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? While it might not be anything to worry about, sometimes it can be a sign of sickness. 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. CLICK HERE to check the price. New guinea pig breeds are formalised by the American Cavy Breeders Association, who also oversee breed standards and competitions in the United States. 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? Thankfully, she had an uneventful pregnancy and birth and did not eat her babies. Place one hand under their tummy and one behind their bottom, and hold the little guy close to you. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. Most species clean their offspring with their tongue and so do your little friends. They are able to see, hear and move around once they are born. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. 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. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. This is especially true for mammalian animals, who often form strong attachments with their young. Once the pups arrive, monitor them closely to make sure nursing is established within 12 hours. This is especially true if pet parents have not given their pregnant sow enough food. For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. She checked each one of them and licked them clean immediately following their birth. Its important to know what signs to look out for so you can keep your piggies happy and healthy. 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. However, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not this is true. More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. Breeding and reproduction of Guinea pigs All other pets Merck veterinary manual. But usually, mom will begin to discourage her babies from nursing at about the 3rd week. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUniverseReflected The all natural Piggies Choice Hay Racks are available finally! 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. The mother may eat her babies if one or more of her litter dies, or she is under a lot of stress. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. Guinea pigs are different from many other species; they are born with teeth and fur, and almost immediately they can see and walk around. The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. Even then, they must be handled very gently. If The Male Doesn't Believe the Babies Are His. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. Change the water daily. Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! Guinea pig babies are born looking like mini versions of their mama. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over. If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. It is also quite normal for baby guinea pigs to whine when approached by a much bigger and older guinea pig. Between then and reaching their full adult weight several months later, you might hear them being described as juniors. They are basically saying . If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. If possible, you should be present during the birth to provide support and comfort to the mother. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. Now, lets begin at the beginning. 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. Yes, female guinea pigs do nurse their young for a few weeks after birth. Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort. They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. You should increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables given daily and also consider pet-friendly supplements. If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. When your guinea pig is pregnant her Vitamin C requirements double to around 20mg per day. We were stressed out during this time because we did not want to have another unexpected guinea pig pregnancy. If it does occur, the reasons will probably differ slightly from that of other species, and its important to understand these reasons in order to try to prevent it from happening: Most female guinea pigs will never eat their live young on purpose. Even their own children. (Fun Facts). To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. This can harm the guinea pigs health, as they may become stressed or depressed. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. Provide a pregnant guinea pig with extra food, water, and nutrients. Guinea pigs can recognize their owners and other people they know and trust. Guinea pig babies are actually called pups. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. Weaning age depends on several factors including the pups weight, the mothers milk supply, and the number of siblings. What about baby guinea pigs for adoption? If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. But, theres some things you can do to help your fur baby return to a comfortable atmosphere, and to prevent this from happening again in the future. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. Ahhhh, clementines. Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat their babies. Do not over-handle the mother or you could cause her stress which will lead . Berryman, J. C., Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Ethology, 1976. 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. Not only that, but they also have a full body of fur, and even their little claws are developed. They reach their adult size very quickly. Calcium is very important for baby piggies as they are growing and developing. There are different ways you can give your guinea pigs attention, and one of them is a good, old-fashioned daily petting session. I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. And make sure that the guinea pig mother is not present. When your guinea pig is pregnant they need more food than usual, and its surprisingly easy to give them less than what they need. Although they spring out with open eyes and fully furred, piggie pups are still small and fragile at first. Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. Guinea pigs form close bonds with their families and can be very attached to their parents. The same goes for males. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. The best thing you can do is provide adequate and proper nutrition to the new guinea pig mother. Common diseases in domestic guinea pigs include respiratory infections, diarrhea, itching, and boils due to infection (often the neck, throat, or external scratches). Remember to remove any they leave, as it will spoil quickly. 10. Guinea pigs can eat their babies if they lack nutrition. 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. Sometimes it happens accidentally. However, in captivity that shouldnt happen at all because responsible pet owners keep them separate from pregnant and lactating sows and their babies. However, if its weak it might put up little resistance and be eaten entirely. ClickHEREfor a peek at my disclosure. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach Or Is It Bad For Them? Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. 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. Guinea pigs are tailless rodents that weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs. 4. 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. She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. There is a chance that your sow will only partially eat her offspring, particularly if she killed them by accident. (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). Although they are capable of eating almost immediately, baby guineas do still need to nurse and they will seek milk about every two hours. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. They will understand. Some guinea pig moms have their maternity care kicked in as they give birth while others take some time . Besides, always separate baby guinea pigs from male guinea pigs. Lets take a closer look at this exciting topic. Theyre filled with Vitamin C and other essential nutrients that guinea pigs need.
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