Cage size Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape? They have small bodies and big eyes. 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. However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. 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. At three weeks of age it was still hard for us to tell the difference between the males and females. 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. (And Other Key Terms), How Often Should You Clean a Guinea Pigs Cage? How Old Are Guinea Pigs Before Leaving Their Mother? - Oddly Cute Pets Show some tender feelings towards your guinea pig. Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. 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. (2020, May 5). 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 do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. And the result is that guinea pig babies are born already more mature than many other species. Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. 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. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. How Few Is Too Few? It is important to note that guinea pigs can get attached to their owners and may experience signs of separation anxiety when they are not around. Guinea pigs definitely can eat clementines. The guinea pig fathers dont play any role in taking care of the litter, and can do more harm than good (sorry piggie dads!). More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. RELATED: CLICK HERE for tips on how to tame your guinea pig (step by step guide). The standard litter can range from one to six little pups, with an avg. Baby guinea pigs are called pups just like baby dogs. Even though they share similar names, guinea pigs do not belong to either the dog or pig family. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. Newborn Baby Guinea Pigs: What to expect? (it's not what you think) Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. Yes, female guinea pigs do nurse their young for a few weeks after birth. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. This way, your guinea pig will not feel the need for extra nutrition. i've been keeping this a secret for over a week now!! In a pet situation, the male may be in the same guinea pig cage as the female and her newborns, and there is no way for the mother to move the pups away from . A guinea pig baby can show mating behaviors at about three to four weeks of age. (n.d.). Place one hand under their tummy and one behind their bottom, and hold the little guy close to you. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. (And How? 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. Want to know more? Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesnt recognize them as his own offspring. 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. 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. If your sow is in a very small enclosure, this could cause her unnecessary stress. (Find Out Now), https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140328-sloth-bear-zoo-infanticide-chimps-bonobos-animals, https://lakeshorepethospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Guinea_Pig_Pregnancy.pdf, Removing the male guinea pig(s) will also. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. Yes, guinea pigs do mourn. These small pets need a lot of food and nutrition. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? One of the ways they do this is through "wheeking". 4. The surprising truth is that it happens more often than youd think. Keep the male guinea pig separate from his female partner to keep her safe and reduce the stress. Thats what they do while also making your life a much brighter place. But, fruit should only be given as an occasional treat. When your guinea pig is pregnant they need more food than usual, and its surprisingly easy to give them less than what they need. 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. Dont be surprised if your pup lets out a little chirp as a means of asking for food! Keep in mind that guinea pigs are not the best choice to raise other female guinea pigs babies. If you are unsure if the guinea pig is missing its baby, you may not be able to know if it is ill and needs to see a veterinarian. Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. Many time, the pup gets killed accidentally and the mother eats it because she has a survival instinct. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. If you handle a baby bird in a nest, the mother will often abandon them because she'll sense something isn't right (i.e. However, new guinea pig owners should be prepared for a long-term commitment. Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. We will help you to raise your baby guinea pigs to become healthy, happy pets. 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. In some cases, guinea pigs may lick or try to groom you as a sign of affection. However, we always recommend having more than one guinea pig because these small animals are social creatures and they need company. It is important to make sure that the pups begin nursing within the first few hours of birth. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. How do I know when my guinea pig is ready to give birth? And within a few hours nursing should be established. How long do baby guinea pigs stay with Mom? 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. The largest guinea pig litter recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records contained a whopping 17 pups! Newborn Guinea Pigs - What You Should Avoid - Guinea Pig Site However, taking some precautions can bring you peace of mind that your sow wont need to eat her babies. 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. Increase the protein content in your pregnant guinea pigs diet. Its normal to be upset and sad. Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. You can also give them a comfortable place to sleep, like a bed or hammock. Baby boars must be separated from mama at three weeks. By the time theyre a month old, baby guinea pigs body shape rather resembles that of a syrian hamster. In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig. She is more likely to eat her babies as she can confuse the placenta and the babies. 25 Sweet & Silly Guinea Pig Names - wideopenspaces.com Caring for baby guinea pigs can be a rewarding experience if you know what to expect. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? Here you'll find the juicy goods to care for your little friends WITHOUT making your brain short-circuit. In general, most female guinea pigs who survives birth and delivery will and raise her litter without any issues. In order to have a peaceful pregnancy and birth, there are some things that you can do: Many people underestimate how much space a guinea pig needs, along with other types of rodents. Clements, M. and Kelly, J. "Wheek" City. 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? In almost all species, males are inherently territorial. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. Once the pups arrive, monitor them closely to make sure nursing is established within 12 hours. Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. Donnelly, T. M. and Brown, C. J., Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry, Veterinary Clinics Exotic Animal Practice, 2004. 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. How Do Guinea Pigs Reproduce? (Breeding, Complications & More) So, if youve been wanting to know if guinea pigs usually miss their owners, we hope you have the answer now. 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. 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. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. However, if its weak it might put up little resistance and be eaten entirely. If The Male Doesn't Believe the Babies Are His. When can baby guinea pigs be separated from their mother? Our goal is to make Guinea Pig Den the ultimate resource for learning about your new guinea pig and helpful information before you bring one home as a pet. When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. Guinea pigs can typically handle labor and delivery without intervention; however, guinea pigs can die during the birthing process. While it is a hard thing to think about, it can happen. A male guinea pig might seriously injure his babies because he is territorial and feels intimidated. Between then and reaching their full adult weight several months later, you might hear them being described as juniors. Why Guinea Pigs Are Less Likely To Eat Their Babies? https://amzn.to/3iYcPHPAs well as the new Pigg. Guinea Pig Animal Facts | Cavia porcellus - AZ Animals Although piggies are so cute, you cant always be there to have a staring contest with them. A male guinea pig eats the babies only by a strange occurrence. She checked each one of them and licked them clean immediately following their birth. Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. No matter how cute baby guinea pigs are, one litter at a time should be plenty for most people to think about. 2 3 cups mostly green, leafy vegetables, Occasional fruit too much sugar can lead to obesity. At the end of the day we removed the fleece bedding, washed it and replaced it with a fresh fleece liner. Lots of small animals (think rats and rabbits) have reputations for being prolific breeders. The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn babies. Within twenty-four hours they can start to eat grass, produce, hay, and pellet feed just like adults. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? 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 separated from their parents, they may become anxious and depressed. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. This is a question that has long been debated when it comes to guinea pigs. Wed love to hear about your experiences in the comment section below! So, pet parents should be cautious and prepared when dealing with pregnant sows. Make sure she always has enough food. This page is stuffed full of information about how to care for your baby guinea pig. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. Baby guinea pigs typically stay with their mother for about three weeks, but this can vary depending on the situation. https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. Baby guinea pigs are capable of digesting solid food very soon after birth (within hours). 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. New Plymouth Vet Group. One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? It's often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. (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. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. (Find Out Now), Filial Cannibalism (and 7 Reasons Why Some Animal Moms Dine On Their Babies). Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. Guinea Pigs May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming. Guinea pig litters can contain up to eight pups, but two, three or four is more usual. Do Guinea Pigs Remember Their Siblings, Names, Owners & More If you push gently on their lower abdomen the penis may appear. Their tiny mouths already manage to contain 20 teeth, which grow continuously. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Kill Their Young? If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. 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. Usually, the mother will eat the baby right after it's born. Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. So, I took some time to do some research on it for you. She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. This is an essential process as it helps to ensure that the young guinea pigs can develop properly. A newborn guinea pig might weigh around 3.5 ounces or 100 grams. If your guinea pig consistently has enough extra food, the chances of her needing to eat her pups drop to near zero. Will Your Guinea Pig Eat Her Babies? (What You Need To Know) We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesn't recognize them as his own offspring. After three weeks, baby guinea pigs can be separated from their mother and placed with other guinea pigs or their owner. But usually, mom will begin to discourage her babies from nursing at about the 3rd week. the babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Its important to remember that guinea pigs are prey animals and they can get intimidated very easily. Squeaks, Scales and Tails is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC an affiliate advertising program. Many people believe that guinea pigs get attached to their owners and that they miss their parents when they are separated. Newborn guinea pigs weigh only 100 grams but they grow quickly. However, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not this is true. For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. ClickHEREfor a peek at my disclosure. Filial cannibalism is when animals eat their own offspring. Use the tips in this post to understand why piggies eat their babies and to prevent it from happening. When a guinea pig is malnourished, it means that the guinea pig is not getting enough of the vitamins and nutrients that its body needs. and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. Guinea Pig Facts | Live Science Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. And, when it happens, it is usually an accident, not a rule, and intentional behavior. Preview / Show more . Every few hours for the first few days, you should hand-feed the baby guinea pig: mesh pellets or supplement powder, and if you have grown guinea pigs, also add a fecal . Well, your guess is as good as mine guinea pigs sure miss their owners when theyre absent for so long. Guinea pigs are also notorious communicators, and they start vocalising from babyhood. 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. Guinea pigs eat their babies not because they want to kill them for food but for other reasons. Significantly, this is the age when pups will start to reach sexual maturity. At first your guinea pig baby may seem afraid when you pick him up. You can do a few things to help your guinea pig cope when youre not around. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. Always consult your vet if you think a baby guinea pig overly small, or failing to thrive. Whereas there are over 13 Guinea Pig breeds, English, Abyssinian, and Peruvian Guinea Pigs are the most well-liked. Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over.