Like babies of all species, cute baby guinea pigs are tiny and winsome. Squeaks, Scales and Tails is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC an affiliate advertising program. 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. Just like big farmyard pigs! There are several major ideas about why would a guinea pig eat the babies: When they are small and weak, its much easier to keep baby guinea pigs away from male guinea pigs. Place one hand under their tummy and one behind their bottom, and hold the little guy close to you. Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? (n.d.). Most people find that, when it comes to guinea pigs at least, babies are the cutest. They will understand. Do Guinea Pigs Acknowledge Their Identify? (Easy methods to Train Them) Honestly, I dont feel like its worth the risk. If your guinea pig consistently has enough extra food, the chances of her needing to eat her pups drop to near zero. Breeding and Reproduction of Guinea Pigs - All Other Pets - Merck B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. Guinea pigs and other rodents do not eat their babies because they are hungry. Many people believe that male guinea pigs eat their babies as well. The best thing you can do is provide adequate and proper nutrition to the new guinea pig mother. 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. Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. When they grow up, male guinea pigs are called boars, and females are called sows. Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. You will get a kick out of their eagerness to chase each other around and play, and maybe even start popcorning. At worst, it can cause her to reject them. 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. If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. 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. I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. They are able to express a wide range of emotions using different sounds and gestures. 2 3 cups mostly green, leafy vegetables, Occasional fruit too much sugar can lead to obesity. Dont be surprised if your pup lets out a little chirp as a means of asking for food! My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. We read that the bedding needs to be changed daily. Baby guinea pigs are unique in that they are born with their eyes open! Just simply focusing on your guinea pigs and trying to chat with them every day can go a long way. Thats what they do while also making your life a much brighter place. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that we could position it low enough for the babies to reach it. ), Guinea pigs can suffer from running lice. When your guinea pig is pregnant her Vitamin C requirements double to around 20mg per day. Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. A male guinea pig might seriously injure his babies because he is territorial and feels intimidated. If possible, you should be present during the birth to provide support and comfort to the mother. Its natural for you and me to humanize the behavior of animals. Baby guinea pigs are called pups just like baby dogs. However, you shouldnt touch the babies right after they are born. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? Giving birth is very stressful for the guinea pig mother and the babies. This page is stuffed full of information about how to care for your baby guinea pig. The standard litter can range from one to six little pups, with an avg. Put him back with his mother if he becomes vocal or squirmy. 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. i am so excited!!! We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. 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. 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. The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. This should reduce their spatial and jealous tendency. Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? Owning Guinea Pigs | VCA Animal Hospital But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! These colorful, chore charts will help you keep track of when to feed your fuzz butts, clean their cages, and much more. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. Ask your vet for advice if this isnt the case. Yes, guinea pigs do mourn. A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: This was one question that had me really worried. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. Sometimes it happens accidentally. Whether you plan on rearing your own litter of baby Abysinnian guinea pigs, or youre making plans to buy a baby Peruvian guinea pig, its valuable to be able to recognise whether theyre growing and developing normally for the species, and their breed. How Do Guinea Pigs Reproduce? (Breeding, Complications & More) Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. Allowing siblings to breed also poses a risk of dangerous congenital disorders to their offspring. Also, they should have unlimited amounts of timothy hay and water all the time. The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. A newborn guinea pig might weigh around 3.5 ounces or 100 grams. Witkowska, A. et al, The Effects of Diet on Anatomy, Physiology and Health in the Guinea Pig, Journal of Animal Health and Behavioural Science, 2017. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. (n.d.). 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. One of the ways they do this is through "wheeking". As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Kill Their Young? How Old Are Guinea Pigs Before Leaving Their Mother? - Oddly Cute Pets Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Make sure to separate your male guinea pigs from females in their litter too. This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. Newborn Baby Guinea Pigs: What to expect? (it's not what you think) Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. These small pets need a lot of food and nutrition. You can do a few things to help your guinea pig cope when youre not around. She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. Do mother guinea pigs miss their babies when they are given away? This is an essential process as it helps to ensure that the young guinea pigs can develop properly. The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? Do Guinea Pigs Remember Their Siblings, Names, Owners & More However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. (2014, March 28). Ahhhh, clementines. Here is how to tell if your baby guinea pig is a boy or girl: RELATED: CLICK HERE for more information on how to determine the sex of a guinea pig. They also live for several years, longer than most other rodents, so you can enjoy them longer than other pet rodents. Sows must also have a constant supply of hay (alfalfa for the extra calories) and pellets. 3 hours ago WebBaby Guinea Pig Diet The first week of life is critical. Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. Individuals will be starting to show their own distinct personalities too. Guinea pigs dont hibernate, but they will slow down their metabolism and activity in order to stay warm, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? (700 to 1,100 grams), according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). Guinea pigs diet rests on grasses, herbs, hay, and raw fruits and vegetables. Breeding and reproduction of Guinea pigs All other pets Merck veterinary manual. It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. Your guinea pig will be frustrated if their youngsters are upset or stressed. Sometimes it happens accidentally. But, can guinea pigs eat them? ClickHEREfor a peek at my disclosure. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. The average lifespan of the guinea pig is four or five years, but it can live much longer. 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. However, if its weak it might put up little resistance and be eaten entirely. How long do baby guinea pigs stay with Mom? Guinea pigs can recognize their owners and other people they know and trust. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. National Geographic. This is just enough space to allow the guinea pigs to escape. Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. It can be difficult to tell the difference between male and female guinea pigs under three weeks of age. Baby guinea pigs are called pups. Do guinea pigs remember their parents? Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. Newborn Baby Guinea Pig Care - family-medical.net When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? Guinea pigs may be Darwinian in their process toward motherhood, meaning only strong individuals can survive and reproduce more, To eliminate competition, guinea pigs are reluctant to share their enclave, especially when other male guinea pigs are around. But, give them time to bond with their mother so they can nurse. 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. 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. (And Other Key Terms), How Often Should You Clean a Guinea Pigs Cage? He may also help to nurse the babies. Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig. Although pet guinea pigs eating their pups is a very rare incident, it does happen sometimes. This can be startling and upsetting. Thankfully, she had an uneventful pregnancy and birth and did not eat her babies. They need supervised time out of their cages each day to run around and exercise. They look a little bit awkward as they begin to move around. Here are some of our top baby guinea pig name lists to help you feel inspired! It's often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. You cannot do any harm by touching your adult guinea pig or its babies. Adult guinea pigs eat timothy hay, orchard hay, or any other hay thats high in fiber. When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape the enclosure? Where can I find baby guinea pigs for sale? We spent some time coming up with cute guinea pig names for our babies and decided upon the following; Moose, Aspen, Moon and Finn! 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. Baby guinea pigs typically stay with their mother for about three weeks, but this can vary depending on the situation. Although they are capable of eating almost immediately, baby guineas do still need to nurse and they will seek milk about every two hours. Clements, M. and Kelly, J. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. 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. If your guinea pig becomes acquainted with someone they don't trust, they may become quiet or hide when that person is nearby. 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. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? Why would a pet guinea pig eat its own babies? Guinea pig babies are actually called pups. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! The body temperature of a guinea pig is between 101104 F (3840 C), so its ideal ambient air temperature is similar to that of humans, approximately 6575 F (1824 C). Do not disturb your guinea pigs when they are sleeping or nursing. 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. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. If you have a pregnant guinea pig, consider giving the her cage an upgrade, so she can take care of her pups comfortably. Babies grow fast. How long does it take for guinea pigs to be born? If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. Do Guinea Pigs Recognize Their Name? (How to Teach Them) This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs. How To Stop Guinea Pigs Chewing On Cage Bars, Baby Chicken What To Expect From Egg To 8 Weeks Old, Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Cardiovascular and renal disease in the adolescent guinea pig after chronic placental insufficiency, The effect of maternal undernutrition on the growth and development of the guinea pig placenta, Chronic maternal feed restriction impairs growth but increases adiposity of the fetal guinea pig, Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, The Effects of Diet on Anatomy, Physiology and Health in the Guinea Pig, Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry. Their paws and head are comically outsized in proportion to their body, and they already have a full coat of fur. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. But most people think of it as being around four weeks old, when they reach sexual maturity. I didnt know how we would handle it if Theo rejected her babies or even worse ate her young! 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. The best time to breed guinea pigs is before the female turns 7 months of age. Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. But, stick with me. But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? When your guinea pig is pregnant they need more food than usual, and its surprisingly easy to give them less than what they need. You can also ask your vet for advice and support. Guinea pigs weigh between 700 and 1200g. For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. After your guinea pig has given birth, shell clean up the evidence left behind to stop predators from tracking down their scent. By six weeks of age baby guinea pigs are self-sufficient and fully weaned. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. It is perfectly fine to handle your new guinea pigs within the first week. A mix of alfalfa and timothy hay could keep the mother full and prevent this from happening. Although they spring out with open eyes and fully furred, piggie pups are still small and fragile at first. We know that guinea pigs typically stay with their baby for about three weeks. Hi there! Guinea pigs are not capable of "missing". A great way to get help raising your first litter successfully, and in recognising potential problems quickly, is by enlisting the support of a mentor. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. When you pick them up secure one hand beneath the stomach and one under the bottom and hold close to your chest. Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. Guinea Pigs make excellent pets due to their playful, social nature. Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. Although they are able to conceive year-round, springtime is the peak window for baby guineas appearing on the scene. The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. When you touch them be soft and gentle. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. 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. To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. Now, lets begin at the beginning. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. (What Owners Need To Know)Continue, If you notice drool on your guinea pigs face it can be a sign that somethings wrong. Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. So the remaining milestones left to look for relate to growth, feeding, behavior and sexual maturity. Even then, they must be handled very gently. A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. Theyre filled with Vitamin C and other essential nutrients that guinea pigs need. Newborn Guinea Pigs - What You Should Avoid - Guinea Pig Site Equally, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their babies because they dont eat meat. Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. The above is important because it allows the mother to continue feeding and grooming her young. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the water bottle at least once per week. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? of 2-4. However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. We will help you to raise your baby guinea pigs to become healthy, happy pets. This is because, in the wild, guinea pigs are usually found in herds, so you should try to create that level of interaction for your domesticated guinea pigs. She checked each one of them and licked them clean immediately following their birth. Secondly, even an experienced guinea pig mom might resort to eating her young if she is severely malnourished. The first twenty four hours are when the babies are at greatest risk for being eaten, so remain close during this period. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. In the next section weve assembled some of the most commonly asked questions our readers have about their baby guinea pigs. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? Baby guinea pig care - The Guinea Pig Manual. 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. More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. 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. If this happens, you should immediately remove the dead babies and dispose of them appropriately. 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. Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame.