Besides, guinea pigs should eat about 1/8 of pellets, and about a cup of a mixture of herbs, vegetables, and fruits, but all in moderate amounts. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. 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. However, taking some precautions can bring you peace of mind that your sow wont need to eat her babies. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. The best time to breed guinea pigs is before the female turns 7 months of age. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. Medical Disclaimer. Here you'll find the juicy goods to care for your little friends WITHOUT making your brain short-circuit. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. But recognising the biological reasons why it occurs makes it easier to avoid. "Wheek" City. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. You need to know if you should reduce the amount of time you spend away from your pet. Baby guinea pigs for adoption are usually a little cheaper than guinea pigs for sale, and often come with a clean bill of health from a vet. This can harm the guinea pigs health, as they may become stressed or depressed. 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. She is more likely to eat her babies as she can confuse the placenta and the babies. You need to be able to provide your guinea pigs with regular ample attention all the time. 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. Its just as important that your baby guinea pig also spends most of their time with other guinea pigs. Whereas there are over 13 Guinea Pig breeds, English, Abyssinian, and Peruvian Guinea Pigs are the most well-liked. Newborn Baby Guinea Pig Care - family-medical.net Baby guinea pigs are much smaller than their parents, so they can escape from the cage. We were stressed out during this time because we did not want to have another unexpected guinea pig pregnancy. If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? 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. (Fun Facts). 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. 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. However, you should err on the side of caution. Your guinea pig wont eat its babies if you touch them. Getting guinea pigs used to handling from an early age is an important part of rearing confident, relaxed pets. Garner-Richardson, V., Guinea Pig Nutrition, The Veterinary Nurse, 2013. 4. We used fleece bedding which we spot cleaned throughout the day by removing poop and leftover food. Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. Female guinea pigs have a Y-shaped opening close to their anus. 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. Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. Explain to them that they have not been replaced or that their babies have replaced your guinea pig. For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter? Do guinea pigs miss their babies? This is where they learn how to bond and behave in a herd. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). The sow needs this time to focus on nursing her living babies, and you need to create an environment that will allow her to do this. Try brushing your pets coats regularly as this can create soothing and pleasant connecting experiences. Extreme Stress -. Keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy is an ongoing process that will require lots of dedication and effort from you. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. Guinea Pig Animal Facts | Cavia porcellus - AZ Animals If this happens, you should immediately remove the dead babies and dispose of them appropriately. How Many Babies Do Guinea Pigs Have? - Guinea Pig Hub A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. 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. 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. When can baby guinea pigs be separated from their mother? 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. Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, Pregnancy toxemia in Guinea pigs. Equally, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their babies because they dont eat meat. If you look after the guinea pig mother regularly, she will allow you to touch her baby guinea pigs. For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. To pick up your guinea pig move slowly and gently pick him up with two hands. Hold him against your chest to help him feel secure and safe. Guinea Pig Babies Facts - Caring For All Pets However, separate male guinea pig babies from their mothers when they turn about two months old. One of the ways they do this is through "wheeking". Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over. 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. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Eat Their Young? Guinea pigs have a good sense of hearing, so they will potentially even be able to hear you coming from down the hall. The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. Newborn Guinea Pig Babies 10 Minutes Old! - YouTube Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. Why would a pet guinea pig eat its own babies? Sometimes it happens accidentally. Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. 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. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? [The Surprising Truth] If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. Do guinea pigs get in heat? Explained by Sharing Culture Can a Guinea Pig Baby Live Without the Mother? Guinea pigs can typically handle labor and delivery without intervention; however, guinea pigs can die during the birthing process. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. Guinea pig pregnancy seems short to us, but in fact it lasts a remarkably long time for their size. 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. Owning Guinea Pigs | VCA Animal Hospital Many people believe that guinea pigs get attached to their owners and that they miss their parents when they are separated. We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. How Old Are Guinea Pigs Before Leaving Their Mother? - Oddly Cute Pets Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? Prepare to separate the male and female baby guinea pigs by at least three weeks of age. Why Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? - Clever Pet Owners The good news is that its unlikely for your pregnant pet to eat her offspring. This blog will give you some helpful tips on how to make this a wonderful experience. Keep in mind that guinea pigs are not the best choice to raise other female guinea pigs babies. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach Or Is It Bad For Them? They are not cannibalistic because they are starving. You can also ask your vet for advice and support. Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. Guinea Pig Facts | Live Science Pregnant and lactating guinea pigs also need alfalfa hay to sustain their babies. If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. (Find Out Now). 15 Best Pet Freshwater Fish For Beginners. It was fascinating to watch our new mom clean up after her newborn baby guinea pigs. One under his chest and one under his bottom. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! However, new guinea pig owners should be prepared for a long-term commitment. Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. Dont be surprised if your pup lets out a little chirp as a means of asking for food! However, they can seriously injure them when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. When they grow up, male guinea pigs are called boars, and females are called sows. And the result is that guinea pig babies are born already more mature than many other species. 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. When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? Berryman, J. C., Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Ethology, 1976. Donnelly, T. M. and Brown, C. J., Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry, Veterinary Clinics Exotic Animal Practice, 2004. 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. https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? How do you tell if a baby guinea pig is a boy or girl? 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. Ask your vet for advice if this isnt the case. Besides, always separate baby guinea pigs from male guinea pigs. Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? (Fun Facts) - Own Your Pet Baby guinea pig care - The Guinea Pig Manual. https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. She is also teaching them how to interact with other guinea pigs. Breeding of guinea pigs is strongly discouraged. Do Guinea Pigs Recognize Their Name? (How to Teach Them) Make sure to feed your guinea pig hay of high quality. Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. Although guinea pigs need the presence of other guinea pigs, attention from human beings is also essential for their well-being. It is perfectly fine to handle your new guinea pigs within the first week. We hope you found this article helpful about what to expect when expecting newborn baby guinea pigs! Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. First of all, dont be too hard on yourself. They are basically saying . Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. Just like big farmyard pigs! No matter how cute baby guinea pigs are, one litter at a time should be plenty for most people to think about. 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. As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. Yes, guinea pigs do mourn. 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.