However, in captivity that shouldnt happen at all because responsible pet owners keep them separate from pregnant and lactating sows and their babies. If your sow has eaten her own babies, you may want to consider changing her living conditions. 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. 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. (Find Out Now), 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know), Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. Although guinea pigs occasionally sneeze, frequent sneezing is a sign of pneumonia, especially in response to climate change. 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. If her diet doesnt contain enough vital vitamins and nutrients, she can still be malnourished whilst receiving enough calories to maintain her body weight. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. 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. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. No matter how cute baby guinea pigs are, one litter at a time should be plenty for most people to think about. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. Wiki User 2008-10-08 02:35:56 This. Its natural for you and me to humanize the behavior of animals. Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? The more factors that are present, the higher likelihood shell eat her pups. You need to know if you should reduce the amount of time you spend away from your pet. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. Guinea pig pups are essentially born ready to go: their eyes are open, they have hair and a full set of teeth, and they can run around on their own. But, fruit should only be given as an occasional treat. The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. 2 3 cups mostly green, leafy vegetables, Occasional fruit too much sugar can lead to obesity. 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. Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. We hope youve enjoyed this in depth article about cute baby guinea pigs!Guinea pig pups are quite unlike most other baby animals. We found the following cage on Amazon that worked really well. Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. The same goes for males. If they are isolated, they may become lonely and sad. 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. Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. If you have a pregnant guinea pig, consider giving the her cage an upgrade, so she can take care of her pups comfortably. By giving them enough time with their mother, you reduce the risk that she will reject them. We used fleece bedding which we spot cleaned throughout the day by removing poop and leftover food. Theres no fixed moment when a guinea pig stops being a pup and becomes an adult. Guinea pigs have a good sense of hearing, so they will potentially even be able to hear you coming from down the hall. She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. Like babies of all species, cute baby guinea pigs are tiny and winsome. Now, if you have a dog or even a cat, you are sure it misses you when you have to go to work but do guinea pigs miss their owners? This usually happens when pups are stillborn, or born to ill to survive. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. Guinea pig pregnancies are dangerous and the mortality rate is high both among guinea pig mothers and babies. If this happens, you should immediately remove the dead babies and dispose of them appropriately. Although piggies are so cute, you cant always be there to have a staring contest with them. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. 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. 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 The Male Doesn't Believe the Babies Are His. Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. Since males can get any female guinea pig pregnant once they reach maturity - including their mothers - they're weaned and taken from their mother at three weeks old. ClickHEREfor a peek at my disclosure. Simon or George More classic goodies. Most guinea pigs cages are designed for adult guinea pigs with a one inch space between the bars. 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. Be prepared to assess them quickly, because they wont like to be held in that position for long! If it has not happened within the first 24 hours, it is very unlikely she will attempt to do it later on. Want to know more? Just like with taming older guinea pigs be patient and consistent. Many people believe that guinea pigs get attached to their owners and that they miss their parents when they are separated. At those moments, the guinea pig mother can be very protective and you can be mistaken for a potential predator. And make sure that the guinea pig mother is not present. But most people think of it as being around four weeks old, when they reach sexual maturity. This article has been extensively revised for 2019. RELATED: CLICK HERE for tips on how to tame your guinea pig (step by step guide). This is especially true for mammalian animals, who often form strong attachments with their young. How Few Is Too Few? https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUniverseReflected The all natural Piggies Choice Hay Racks are available finally! Guinea pigs definitely can eat clementines. Male guinea pigs have a donut-shaped opening. But usually, mom will begin to discourage her babies from nursing at about the 3rd week. They look a little bit awkward as they begin to move around. 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. However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. Explain to them that they have not been replaced or that their babies have replaced your guinea pig. If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. 4. Its understandable to feel that way. As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? https://amzn.to/3iYcPHPAs well as the new Pigg. The act of cannibalism in guinea pigs is usually the mother trying to protect the rest of her litter from predators. Allowing siblings to breed also poses a risk of dangerous congenital disorders to their offspring. You have entered an incorrect email address! To avoid the risk of your guinea pig, eating her babies, take these safety steps. You might even have witnessed them start to join in with social grooming by this point. Its unwise to create more. If that happens in captivity, thats extremely rare. For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. They are basically saying . Can Rabbits Eat Grapes Pros And Cons of Grapes For Rabbits. This can hurt their health and well-being. Filial cannibalism is when animals eat their own offspring. In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig. Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. Spaying a female guinea pig can be a risky procedure that not all veterinarians are willing to attempt. Baby boars must be separated from mama at three weeks. Can a Guinea Pig Baby Live Without the Mother? To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. If she is pregnant, her chances of suffering from some illness will also increase, which will tempt her to eat a lot. 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. GuineaPigDen.com is a participant in theAmazon 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. Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. 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. Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. (Fun Facts). Baby guinea pigs feed on their mothers milk but soon they will need lots of alfalfa hay thats rich in calcium. A mix of alfalfa and timothy hay could keep the mother full and prevent this from happening. 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? They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. However, you shouldnt touch the babies right after they are born. We were stressed out during this time because we did not want to have another unexpected guinea pig pregnancy. Do guinea pigs get attached to their owners? Its normal to be upset and sad. You should increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables given daily and also consider pet-friendly supplements. At first your guinea pig baby may seem afraid when you pick him up. Giving birth is very stressful for guinea pigs and the mortality rate of pregnant guinea pigs is quite high due to complications that occur during the delivery process. You cannot do any harm by touching your adult guinea pig or its babies. Hi there! Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. As they grow, baby guinea pigs will require extra calcium to help their bones develop properly. While the baby boars can be separated in just three weeks once they are fully weaned, the baby sows can remain with the mother for up to 4 weeks from the time of birth. 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. Always consult your vet if you think a baby guinea pig overly small, or failing to thrive. If the litter is too large, the mama . Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig. She is also teaching them how to interact with other guinea pigs. If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? This often happens when owners of female guinea pigs discover an unplanned pregnancy and arent able to care for all the babies. 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. A newborn guinea pig might weigh around 3.5 ounces or 100 grams. B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. Do guinea pigs get attached to their babies? 15 Best Pet Freshwater Fish For Beginners. They will weigh as much as 2 kilos; most reside between 5 and 6 years, however some notably wholesome pets can reside 10 years or longer. Pneumonia can occur with torticollis and can be fatal. Guinea pigs eat their babies not because they want to kill them for food but for other reasons. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by my readers, but it doesn't cost you anything at all. 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. Sometimes it happens accidentally. It is important to consider the space between the bars of your guinea pig cage. Although they are capable of eating almost immediately, baby guineas do still need to nurse and they will seek milk about every two hours. male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies, guinea pigs can get attached to their owners. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that we could position it low enough for the babies to reach it. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? Baby guinea pigs are unique in that they are born with their eyes open! Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. When they grow up, male guinea pigs are called boars, and females are called sows. 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. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. Following delivery, your guinea pig mama will be exhausted and hungry. Weve already covered the reproductive cycle of guinea pigs and pregnancy and how to tell if a guinea pig is pregnant, so you can learn much more about these topics in our articles. 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. Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. (2010, July 22). 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. 10. 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. Guinea Pigs do best when living with at least one similar companion, and pets that live without another Guinea pig sometimes become lonely and depressed. If you look after the guinea pig mother regularly, she will allow you to touch her baby guinea pigs. When can baby guinea pigs be separated from their mother? Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. In the meantime, if you havent seen enough sweet pictures of baby guinea pigs yet, then why not visit our compilation of favorite guinea pig videos. So, I took some time to do some research on it for you. As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. 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. In the meantime, the best thing you can do is provide your guinea pig with plenty of love and attention, so it doesnt feel lonely. 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. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. Guinea pigs are different from many other species; they are born with teeth and fur, and almost immediately they can see and walk around. 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. Keep your little friend calm. That is a common myth and is not true. These colorful, chore charts will help you keep track of when to feed your fuzz butts, clean their cages, and much more. Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. A female needs to give birth for the first time before the age of 7 months. Guinea pigs can jump over obstacles but these, When they recognize they are in danger, guinea pigs stand in one place for a long time then suddenly run very fast with a darting movement. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. 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. The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. Baby guinea pigs typically stay with their mother for about three weeks, but this can vary depending on the situation. This is pretty rare. The above is important because it allows the mother to continue feeding and grooming her young. This can lead to health problems. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140328-sloth-bear-zoo-infanticide-chimps-bonobos-animals, Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy: The Stages of Pregnancy. Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. Any guinea pig lover would approve. Some guinea pig moms have their maternity care kicked in as they give birth while others take some time . The next thing you need to take care of is that make sure that their cages are heavy, comfortable, and not escapable. How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? If you are unsure, it is best to consult with a veterinarian to help determine the sex of the pups. We try to conform to the same standards and expectations when it comes to animal interactions and instincts. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. Im guessing you probably have a lot of questions about guinea pig pregnancies. Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. 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. Other factors that make eating (or killing) the pups less likely include: piggies are natural herbivores and they have good maternal instincts (for rodents, anyway). You can certainly handle a little, because it wont make their mother reject them. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: This was one question that had me really worried. Sows sometimes give birth during the night. Lots of small animals (think rats and rabbits) have reputations for being prolific breeders. Guinea Pigs make excellent pets due to their playful, social nature. Common diseases in domestic guinea pigs include respiratory infections, diarrhea, itching, and boils due to infection (often the neck, throat, or external scratches). Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. They have small bodies and big eyes. It is perfectly fine to handle your new guinea pigs within the first week. If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. Sometimes it happens accidentally. However, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their young at all because guinea pigs are herbivores. First of all, dont be too hard on yourself. Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. 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. Find The Best Deals on Your Favorite guinea pig Products and Save! They are not cannibalistic because they are starving. You will get a kick out of their eagerness to chase each other around and play, and maybe even start popcorning. Your guinea pig will be frustrated if their youngsters are upset or stressed. Baby guinea pigs are capable of digesting solid food very soon after birth (within hours). If you push gently on their lower abdomen the penis may appear. The best thing you can do is provide adequate and proper nutrition to the new guinea pig mother. Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? Try to provide your pet with the extra company as much as you can, even if only for a short period of time. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. However, too much calcium is dangerous for an adult guinea pig. An adult guinea pig will never deliberately harm or eat a newborn guinea pig. Why Guinea Pigs Are Less Likely To Eat Their Babies? Guinea pigs can typically handle labor and delivery without intervention; however, guinea pigs can die during the birthing process. This is an essential process as it helps to ensure that the young guinea pigs can develop properly. The best items to put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage are absorbent,, Read More 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know)Continue, Pet parents who consider housing their guinea pigs outside often wonder whether or not their pet guinea pigs can hibernate. The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. When you do approach the a baby guinea pig, be careful to move slowly and gently. (And How? 11. All of the babies are usually born within 30 minutes once labor begins. So, its possible for their mother (especially if shes inexperienced with babies) to kill them with too much force. Well, your guess is as good as mine guinea pigs sure miss their owners when theyre absent for so long. Even then, they must be handled very gently. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. So your guinea pig is pregnant. For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. You can also ask your vet for advice and support. Lets take a closer look at this exciting topic. Guinea pig babies are born very quickly. It was fascinating to watch our new mom clean up after her newborn baby guinea pigs. For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. 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. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. Male baby guinea pigs have a donut-shaped genital opening in front of their anus. Or house her with a neutered male to prevent future pregnancies. This is for several reasons: You should find this post helpful: Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? Domestic guinea pigs originated in South America but today these vocal, sociable creatures thrive in households across the globe. Once they die, she might eat them. Do not over-handle the mother or you could cause her stress which will lead . Just keep your little friend with other females only. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Kill Their Young? Sows must also have a constant supply of hay (alfalfa for the extra calories) and pellets. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, Pregnancy toxemia in Guinea pigs. (And Other Key Terms), How Often Should You Clean a Guinea Pigs Cage? This is a question that many guinea pig owners have. Never again hear the dreaded sounds of your guinea pigs angry squeaks because you forgot to clean out their cage or feed them on timefor the fourth day in a row. Six or seven weeks old is the age at which most breeders will let their pups go to their new homes. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. In some cases, guinea pigs may lick or try to groom you as a sign of affection. 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. Provide a pregnant guinea pig with extra food, water, and nutrients. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. Significantly, this is the age when pups will start to reach sexual maturity. 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. The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. Even though they share similar names, guinea pigs do not belong to either the dog or pig family. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. 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. If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. Dont be surprised if your pup lets out a little chirp as a means of asking for food! If you want some more information on guinea pig interactions, check out these posts: The Truth About Single Guinea Pigs (Is It Okay To Just Have One?)
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