Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? Although they are capable of eating almost immediately, baby guineas do still need to nurse and they will seek milk about every two hours. CLICK HERE to check the price. A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. Its also the age of the youngest baby guinea pigs in pet stores. Piglet Okay, so it's not that clever. It is rare, but it does happen. Guinea pig babies are actually called pups. This can lead to health problems. What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? We will help you to raise your baby guinea pigs to become healthy, happy pets. 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. If her diet doesnt contain enough vital vitamins and nutrients, she can still be malnourished whilst receiving enough calories to maintain her body weight. 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 . Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. When you touch them be soft and gentle. And, when it happens, it is usually an accident, not a rule, and intentional behavior. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. Make sure any seller houses male and female guinea pigs separately, or there could be a chance you'll take home a pregnant female. 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. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? In captivity, they cannot run away, which increases the stress. If your guinea pig consistently has enough extra food, the chances of her needing to eat her pups drop to near zero. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. One under his chest and one under his bottom. Guinea pigs are also notorious communicators, and they start vocalising from babyhood. While it might not be anything to worry about, sometimes it can be a sign of sickness. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? Sows sometimes give birth during the night. When you do approach the a baby guinea pig, be careful to move slowly and gently. 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. Keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy is an ongoing process that will require lots of dedication and effort from you. (Such as blood and remaining body parts). After your guinea pig has given birth, shell clean up the evidence left behind to stop predators from tracking down their scent. Clements, M. and Kelly, J. (Find Out Now). Read Also: How Often to Clean Guinea Pig Cage. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. How Few Is Too Few? Its normal to be upset and sad. 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. They can impregnate mom and sisters! The standard litter can range from one to six little pups, with an avg. We used fleece bedding which we spot cleaned throughout the day by removing poop and leftover food. You need to know if you should reduce the amount of time you spend away from your pet. On the other hand, if it turns out that they don't form any attachment to their young, then we can . As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by my readers, but it doesn't cost you anything at all. Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. We spent some time coming up with cute guinea pig names for our babies and decided upon the following; Moose, Aspen, Moon and Finn! Usually, the mother will eat the baby right after it's born. Just like big farmyard pigs! So, I took some time to do some research on it for you. https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. (Fun Facts). Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. If the litter is too large, the mama . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Once they die, she might eat them. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. This is why you should do everything in your power to make your female piggy feel at ease. Medical Disclaimer. It is okay for you to handle the pups during the nursing period. If you keep a male guinea pig with the mother and babies, introduce them slowly, so there is no aggression between the two adults. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. This article has been extensively revised for 2019. When they dont respond to her attention, she tries cleaning them more and more vigorously, until eventually she ends up damaging them. The more factors that are present, the higher likelihood shell eat her pups. Sufficient nutrition, a mixture of alfalfa and timothy grass, keeps female guinea pigs hydrated and can prevent guinea pigs from eating their babies. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. Guinea pigs form close bonds with their families and can be very attached to their parents. Although guinea pigs occasionally sneeze, frequent sneezing is a sign of pneumonia, especially in response to climate change. Donnelly, T. M. and Brown, C. J., Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry, Veterinary Clinics Exotic Animal Practice, 2004. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. If you have a pregnant guinea pig, consider giving the her cage an upgrade, so she can take care of her pups comfortably. If The Male Doesn't Believe the Babies Are His. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. But, only serve them as an occasional treat, because the high sugar and water content can cause health problems like obesity and diarrhea. Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. This is especially true for mammalian animals, who often form strong attachments with their young. Put him back with his mother if he becomes vocal or squirmy. You can certainly handle a little, because it wont make their mother reject them. After giving birth, the mother guinea pig is likely to eat the placenta but can end up eating her babies by mistake. 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. Rather, they belong to a rodent species called cavies. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. Their tiny mouths already manage to contain 20 teeth, which grow continuously. The act of cannibalism in guinea pigs is usually the mother trying to protect the rest of her litter from predators. Merck Veterinary Manual. And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. (Find Out Now). Ahhhh, clementines. Remember to remove any they leave, as it will spoil quickly. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. On the other hand if youll be helping a sow to raise a litter of pups from birth, theres rather more to think about. Let's hear it for the boys. Male guinea pigs have a donut-shaped opening. The male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies is important because he helps keep them warm and protects them from predators. Although pet guinea pigs eating their pups is a very rare incident, it does happen sometimes. 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. RELATED: CLICK HERE for tips on how to tame your guinea pig (step by step guide). Guineapigden.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. You might also notice they squeak in distress when you take them away from their mom. More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. Yes, female guinea pigs do nurse their young for a few weeks after birth. I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. Or house her with a neutered male to prevent future pregnancies. RELATED: CLICK HERE for 99 cute guinea pig names to help you choose. 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. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. If you are considering getting a guinea pig, ensure you can provide them with the social interaction they need. Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. Guinea pigs definitely can eat clementines. Breeding and reproduction of Guinea pigs All other pets Merck veterinary manual. 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. What about baby guinea pigs for adoption? Guinea pigs eating babies is a rare but possible occurrence. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). 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 make the best mothers and give puppies the best chance of survival. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. Calcium is very important for baby piggies as they are growing and developing. The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. An average sized pup measures around 3 to 5 inches at birth, and very cylindrical roughly the size of a tangerine in fact! You can take some precautions to lower the risk of a guinea pig baby being eaten. Ive wondered it myself. Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. 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. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . (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. 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? What Are Common Health Problems in Guinea Pigs? They need to stay with their mother guinea pigs and suck their milk, but they will quickly become active. Your guinea pig will be frustrated if their youngsters are upset or stressed. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. Make sure your pig has a lot of food. However, separate male guinea pig babies from their mothers when they turn about two months old. Its important to know what signs to look out for so you can keep your piggies happy and healthy. We try to conform to the same standards and expectations when it comes to animal interactions and instincts. (2020, May 5). Wiki User 2008-10-08 02:35:56 This. They also live for several years, longer than most other rodents, so you can enjoy them longer than other pet rodents. 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. Feed the guinea pig pups for the first 5 days around the clock every 4 to 5 hours. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. 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. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. The surprising truth is that it happens more often than youd think. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. The good news is that its unlikely for your pregnant pet to eat her offspring. Wed love to hear from you in the comments below. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. (n.d.). Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. Or at least make it a less dangerous one, for you, the guinea pig mother, and the baby piggies. Bathing them, if its something you plan to try, should wait until they are at least eight weeks old. So, what is the answer? New babies are born with teeth, claws, and fur. One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? A female needs to give birth for the first time before the age of 7 months. Well, your guess is as good as mine guinea pigs sure miss their owners when theyre absent for so long. Guinea pigs are not capable of "missing". Guinea Pigs May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming. 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. The above is important because it allows the mother to continue feeding and grooming her young. 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. 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. If you have decided youre ready to take the plunge and welcome a new baby guinea pig into your life, take a look at our article Where To Buy Guinea Pigs to start your journey. But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! Theres no fixed moment when a guinea pig stops being a pup and becomes an adult. They Talk to You A.K.A. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . Your guinea pig can definitely use more interplay with the loss of its buddy. Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. There are different ways you can give your guinea pigs attention, and one of them is a good, old-fashioned daily petting session. Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat their babies. A mother guinea pig needs to clean the babies and eat the afterbirth to chemically generate the mammary glands to start producing milk. You have to remember that these babies are coming out of the womb ready to run around the cage and have fun very quickly. Their compact, cylindrical bodies range from 8 to 10 inches . In situations where one of your guinea pigs crosses the rainbow bridge leaving one behind, the guinea pig left behind might not be so receptive to a new cage mate. (And yes, its one of the more gruesome animal interactions in the wild.). Some guinea pig moms have their maternity care kicked in as they give birth while others take some time . (And Other Key Terms), How Often Should You Clean a Guinea Pigs Cage? Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. 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.

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