Additionally, when her babies are born she may eat them in order to prevent them from taking up the little space she has. The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. Lets take a closer look at this exciting topic. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. the babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. 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. Newborn Guinea Pigs Pups Care, Feeding, Vaccines, and More - The Big Zoo Although pet guinea pigs eating their pups is a very rare incident, it does happen sometimes. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesn't recognize them as his own offspring. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. 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. 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. Within twenty-four hours they can start to eat grass, produce, hay, and pellet feed just like adults. Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. New Plymouth Vet Group. 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. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? Guinea pigs can typically handle labor and delivery without intervention; however, guinea pigs can die during the birthing process. Although piggies are so cute, you cant always be there to have a staring contest with them. Do guinea pigs get attached to their babies? Increase the protein content in your pregnant guinea pigs diet. 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. In some cases, guinea pigs may lick or try to groom you as a sign of affection. Once they die, she might eat them. For guinea pigs to reproduce, a male guinea pig needs to fertilize the female. Firstly, please provide them with plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied. Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape the enclosure? My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. 3 hours ago WebBaby Guinea Pig Diet The first week of life is critical. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long. How long does it take for guinea pigs to be born? Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. 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. The same goes for males. 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. At the end of the day we removed the fleece bedding, washed it and replaced it with a fresh fleece liner. In captivity, they cannot run away, which increases the stress. I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. If the litter is too large, the mama . However, you shouldnt touch the babies right after they are born. However, too much calcium is dangerous for an adult guinea pig. If you keep a male guinea pig with the mother and babies, introduce them slowly, so there is no aggression between the two adults. 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. Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. If that happens in captivity, its a rare exception. What to Do If Your Guinea Pig Had Babies - YouTube Ahhhh, clementines. This can be startling and upsetting. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. 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. 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. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. When you do approach the a baby guinea pig, be careful to move slowly and gently. But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! If you are considering getting a guinea pig, ensure you can provide them with the social interaction they need. A pregnant guinea pig requires a lot of extra nutrition. Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. Newborn Guinea Pigs - What You Should Avoid - Guinea Pig Site Filial cannibalism is when animals eat their own offspring. 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. Read Also: How Often to Clean Guinea Pig Cage. Sows must also have a constant supply of hay (alfalfa for the extra calories) and pellets. Well, your guess is as good as mine guinea pigs sure miss their owners when theyre absent for so long. 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. How Can I Prevent Guinea Pigs From Eating Their Babies? The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. 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. Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. Female guinea pigs have a Y-shaped opening close to their anus. And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. It may take some time for him to become comfortable with you. However, they will continue to feed on their mothers milk as well. Its easy to achieve in the first two weeks by keeping the whole litter together with their mom, but next week its time to start thinking about separating them. Although they spring out with open eyes and fully furred, piggie pups are still small and fragile at first. mypetguineapig.com may be compensated when users click on links and sign-up with their associated offers located in content or anywhere else on the page. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. Well chart the milestones of their first days and weeks, and find out what to expect if you discover your female guinea pig is expecting. RELATED: CLICK HERE for 99 cute guinea pig names to help you choose. While guinea pigs are usually docile, friendly and social creatures, adult males should not be around the babies under any circumstances. Thankfully, its only done when the mother feels she doesnt have any other option. This process includes eating the placenta and, while she does this, there is a chance that she will mistake one of her babies for the placenta. 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 guinea pigs occasionally sneeze, frequent sneezing is a sign of pneumonia, especially in response to climate change. So, what is the answer? Breeding and reproduction of Guinea pigs All other pets Merck veterinary manual. 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. First of all, dont be too hard on yourself. Just like with taming older guinea pigs be patient and consistent. 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. Guinea Pigs make excellent pets due to their playful, social nature. In the next section weve assembled some of the most commonly asked questions our readers have about their baby guinea pigs. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. A male guinea pig eats the babies only by a strange occurrence. And make sure that the guinea pig mother is not present. Any sudden movement or noise can scare them. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. Guinea pigs are fragile animals at any age but especially during their early days of life. When separated from their parents, they often experience anxiety and depression. Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over. Sufficient nutrition, a mixture of alfalfa and timothy grass, keeps female guinea pigs hydrated and can prevent guinea pigs from eating their babies. We will help you to raise your baby guinea pigs to become healthy, happy pets. What about baby guinea pigs for adoption? Cage size Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape? You might also notice they squeak in distress when you take them away from their mom. It's often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. This usually happens when pups are stillborn, or born to ill to survive. You can do a few things to help your guinea pig cope when youre not around. They are able to express a wide range of emotions using different sounds and gestures. Six or seven weeks old is the age at which most breeders will let their pups go to their new homes. But whether youre raising a litter from birth or buying an older baby guinea pig for sale, getting prepared in advance is the best way to make sure you provide them with the best start in life. Although guinea pigs need the presence of other guinea pigs, attention from human beings is also essential for their well-being. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. They can impregnate mom and sisters! A guinea pig baby can show mating behaviors at about three to four weeks of age. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. Many living creatures eat other members of their species when necessary for survival. AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE Yes, it is okay to touch your new baby guinea pigs. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. Your Baby Guinea Pig - What To Expect And How To Look After Them Walter or Bob These guinea pigs sound like they should be wearing business suits on Wall Street. Calcium is very important for baby piggies as they are growing and developing. Your guinea pig can definitely use more interplay with the loss of its buddy. 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. (What You Need To Know)Continue. Most species clean their offspring with their tongue and so do your little friends. The male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies is important because he helps keep them warm and protects them from predators. 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. You have to remember that these babies are coming out of the womb ready to run around the cage and have fun very quickly. Your Baby Guinea Pig What To Expect And How To Look How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? An inexperienced sow might accidentally damage her young with her teeth whilst trying to clean them up after the birth. See Also: Care Show details During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: This was one question that had me really worried. At worst, it can cause her to reject them. Guinea pig babies are actually called pups. (What Owners Need To Know), What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Even their own children. Pets. The more factors that are present, the higher likelihood shell eat her pups. RELATED: CLICK HERE for tips on how to tame your guinea pig (step by step guide). About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . After giving birth, the mother guinea pig is likely to eat the placenta but can end up eating her babies by mistake. The best thing you can do is provide adequate and proper nutrition to the new guinea pig mother. Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig. 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. 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. Lots of small animals (think rats and rabbits) have reputations for being prolific breeders. Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. "Wheek" City. Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. I didnt know how we would handle it if Theo rejected her babies or even worse ate her young! How to Care for a Pet Guinea Pig - The Spruce Pets https://amzn.to/3iYcPHPAs well as the new Pigg. Try brushing your pets coats regularly as this can create soothing and pleasant connecting experiences. Like babies of all species, cute baby guinea pigs are tiny and winsome. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. From the moment they are born they are unusually mature and capable of looking after themselves. An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies. Do guinea pigs get attached to their owners? B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. Newborn Guinea Pig Babies 10 Minutes Old! - YouTube As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. Guinea pig pregnancies are dangerous and the mortality rate is high both among guinea pig mothers and babies. You cannot do any harm by touching your adult guinea pig or its babies. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. 9. For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. Also, they should have unlimited amounts of timothy hay and water all the time. (700 to 1,100 grams), according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). 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. 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. It is essential for guinea pigs to have social contact with other guinea pigs. We hope you found this article helpful about what to expect when expecting newborn baby guinea pigs! Make sure to separate your male guinea pigs from females in their litter too. The good news is that its unlikely for your pregnant pet to eat her offspring. Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. Guinea pigs may miss their parents, but more research must confirm this. Guinea pigs can eat their babies if they lack nutrition. (Fun Facts). You can expect your pup to wander curiously about their world during this time, but their legs are still a bit clumsy and theyre apt to suddenly plop down as they explore their environs. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? Baby boars must be separated from mama at three weeks. How long does it take for a baby guinea pig to walk? You can also ask your vet for advice and support. Guinea pigs have a good sense of hearing, so they will potentially even be able to hear you coming from down the hall. Housing your guinea pig is not particularly difficult, as there are a large variety of hutches and cages commercially available. There are, Read More 7 Alarming Reasons Why Guinea Pigs DroolContinue, What fruits can guinea pigs eat? If your sow has eaten her own babies, you may want to consider changing her living conditions. This can lead to health problems. Make sure to feed your guinea pig hay of high quality. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. This often happens when owners of female guinea pigs discover an unplanned pregnancy and arent able to care for all the babies. Baby guinea pigs feed on their mothers milk but soon they will need lots of alfalfa hay thats rich in calcium. Newborn Baby Guinea Pigs: What to expect? (it's not what you think) 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. Your guinea pig wont eat its babies if you touch them. Kind, K.L., Chronic maternal feed restriction impairs growth but increases adiposity of the fetal guinea pig, American Journal of Physiology, 2005. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. The Midwest Guinea Pig Habitat is the recommended size (minimum of 8 square feet) and has deep sides around the edges that make it difficult for the baby guinea pigs to crawl out of. Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. Keep the male guinea pig separate from his female partner to keep her safe and reduce the stress. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? What Makes Them Do That And How To This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. Ive wondered it myself. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. 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. You can certainly handle a little, because it wont make their mother reject them. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? However, you should err on the side of caution. 11811 Shaker Blvd, #204, PMB 289Cleveland, Ohio 44120(216) 912-6291. Stress can cause guinea pigs to eat their babies, and stress-induced cannibalism is also very common in guinea pigs, and unfortunately, quite unavoidable at times.Do your best to keep them well fed and give them plenty of rest so they can stay calm. You have entered an incorrect email address! Its just as important that your baby guinea pig also spends most of their time with other guinea pigs. Neutering is A LOT less risky for males than spaying is for females. As they grow, baby guinea pigs will require extra calcium to help their bones develop properly. Watch this video to learn more about guinea pig. If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. 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. Guinea Pig Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? So, consider getting a cage large enough for them to play around. 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. But, give them time to bond with their mother so they can nurse. Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. Im guessing you probably have a lot of questions about guinea pig pregnancies. That way she doesnt have to deal with the stress of more pregnancies. (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. We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. Having a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. How to Take Care of a Female Guinea Pig With Babies - wikiHow If separated from their parents, they may become anxious and depressed. In most cases, guinea pigs won't miss you if you decide to leave them in the home instead of taking them with you for camping. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Kill Their Young? Simon or George More classic goodies. Baby guinea pig care - The Guinea Pig Manual. Yes, female guinea pigs do nurse their young for a few weeks after birth. Even though they share similar names, guinea pigs do not belong to either the dog or pig family. Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. While it might not be anything to worry about, sometimes it can be a sign of sickness. But if you have a tiny little guinea pig with a noteworthy squeak, this name is pretty darn adorable. Youre gonna want to read this. Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame. It is also quite normal for baby guinea pigs to whine when approached by a much bigger and older guinea pig. (2014, March 28). male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies, guinea pigs can get attached to their owners. Do mother guinea pigs miss their babies when they are given away? They might surprise you with how busy and outgoing they are too. Yet, the mother guinea pig will take care of them during the first few weeks, so dont separate them from her. This is where they learn how to bond and behave in a herd. 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. They look a little bit awkward as they begin to move around. 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 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. Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. To avoid the risk of your guinea pig, eating her babies, take these safety steps. Show some tender feelings towards your guinea pig. This blog will give you some helpful tips on how to make this a wonderful experience. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. In our research, we could not find a definitive age when guinea pigs are declared adults; however, they reach sexual maturity by four weeks of age. How Many Babies Do Guinea Pigs Have? - Guinea Pig Hub The largest guinea pig litter recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records contained a whopping 17 pups! So, its possible for their mother (especially if shes inexperienced with babies) to kill them with too much force. And, when it happens, it is usually an accident, not a rule, and intentional behavior. At six weeks old baby guineas pigs are fully weaned, and have stopped nursing from their mother. Signs of Guinea pig loneliness, depression, and boredom include hair chewing, hiding, refusing to be handled, and general irritability. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. Baby guinea pigs are much smaller than their parents, so they can escape from the cage. National Geographic. This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs. Its natural for you and me to humanize the behavior of animals. Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that we could position it low enough for the babies to reach it.
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