The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. This is where they learn how to bond and behave in a herd. Can Rabbits Eat Grapes Pros And Cons of Grapes For Rabbits. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. 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. If one or two guinea pig pups suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten, especially if its been more than twenty four hours. Make sure to feed your guinea pig hay of high quality. Their compact, cylindrical bodies range from 8 to 10 inches . Baby guinea pigs are called pups just like baby dogs. Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort. You will get a kick out of their eagerness to chase each other around and play, and maybe even start popcorning. Wanna read something more boring than watching paint dry? About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Most people find that, when it comes to guinea pigs at least, babies are the cutest. Although guinea pigs occasionally sneeze, frequent sneezing is a sign of pneumonia, especially in response to climate change. 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. If it has not happened within the first 24 hours, it is very unlikely she will attempt to do it later on. 2 3 cups mostly green, leafy vegetables, Occasional fruit too much sugar can lead to obesity. You can certainly handle a little, because it wont make their mother reject them. Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. 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. But most people think of it as being around four weeks old, when they reach sexual maturity. How Can You Prevent Your Guinea Pig from Eating Its Young? Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. 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?) We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. This way they can easily confuse their predator and a group of guinea pigs doing this is known as a stampede.. Hi there! If she is pregnant, her chances of suffering from some illness will also increase, which will tempt her to eat a lot. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. On the other hand if youll be helping a sow to raise a litter of pups from birth, theres rather more to think about. Baby guinea pigs typically stay with their mother for about three weeks, but this can vary depending on the situation. https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? Hey there, I'm Angela. So as long as the enclosure is secure and the bars are tight, you should be fine. This website was inspired by our guinea pig pair, Theo and Remmy, and is our familys journey to becoming the best guinea pig parents. Guinea pig litters can contain up to eight pups, but two, three or four is more usual. However, they can seriously injure them when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. Sometimes adults will do this with each other too. Place one hand under their tummy and one behind their bottom, and hold the little guy close to you. The average lifespan of the guinea pig is four or five years, but it can live much longer. Extreme Stress -. For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. 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? Find The Best Deals on Your Favorite guinea pig Products and Save! How long before you can handle baby guinea pigs? Garner-Richardson, V., Guinea Pig Nutrition, The Veterinary Nurse, 2013. A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. After giving birth, the mother guinea pig is likely to eat the placenta but can end up eating her babies by mistake. 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. This is an essential process as it helps to ensure that the young guinea pigs can develop properly. So your guinea pig is pregnant. Most species clean their offspring with their tongue and so do your little friends. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. (What Owners Need To Know)Continue, If you notice drool on your guinea pigs face it can be a sign that somethings wrong. 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. Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. 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. Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. (Find Out Now), Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? (Find Out Now), 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know), Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. When a guinea pig is about to give birth, any male guinea pigs near her will gather around and try to become the dominant male in order to both protect the female and mate with her. They can impregnate mom and sisters! B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. Merck Veterinary Manual. Individual size is generally linked to litter size, so the more siblings there are in a litter, the smaller they are each likely to be. Between then and reaching their full adult weight several months later, you might hear them being described as juniors. Now, lets begin at the beginning. 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. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. Make sure any seller houses male and female guinea pigs separately, or there could be a chance you'll take home a pregnant female. i've been keeping this a secret for over a week now!! (2020, May 5). Ahhhh, clementines. A healthy pup will resist and move away from the mother, alerting her of her mistake. Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. You might even have witnessed them start to join in with social grooming by this point. Sometimes, male Guinea pigs will eat pups if they were fathered by another cavy. Six or seven weeks old is the age at which most breeders will let their pups go to their new homes. Other causes of hair loss due to underlying medical conditions such as ovarian cysts may occur as a result of hormonal distress. Many living creatures eat other members of their species when necessary for survival. New babies are born with teeth, claws, and fur. Although pet guinea pigs eating their pups is a very rare incident, it does happen sometimes. This can harm the guinea pigs health, as they may become stressed or depressed. Im guessing you probably have a lot of questions about guinea pig pregnancies. This usually happens when pups are stillborn, or born to ill to survive. Copyright 2021 - 2023 Guinea Pig Den | Jennifer Franklin Media LLCThis site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. Over the next 2 weeks, decrease the feeding time gradually. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. The act of cannibalism in guinea pigs is usually the mother trying to protect the rest of her litter from predators. During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: This was one question that had me really worried. (2014, March 28). Their tiny mouths already manage to contain 20 teeth, which grow continuously. Guinea pigs dont hibernate, but they will slow down their metabolism and activity in order to stay warm, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? But, fruit should only be given as an occasional treat. Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. In the next section weve assembled some of the most commonly asked questions our readers have about their baby guinea pigs. This is a question that many guinea pig owners have. Their paws and head are comically outsized in proportion to their body, and they already have a full coat of fur. It can be difficult to tell the difference between male and female guinea pigs under three weeks of age. 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. When a guinea pig is malnourished, it means that the guinea pig is not getting enough of the vitamins and nutrients that its body needs. Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. A female needs to give birth for the first time before the age of 7 months. Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. How long do baby guinea pigs stay with Mom? Baby guinea pigs are much smaller than their parents, so they can escape from the cage. And if you push very gently, the penis might appear. 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). The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. Lots of small animals (think rats and rabbits) have reputations for being prolific breeders. Rather, they belong to a rodent species called cavies. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. Ask your vet for advice if this isnt the case. I didnt know how we would handle it if Theo rejected her babies or even worse ate her young! The advantage of choosing the Midwest Habitat Plus is that it offers up to 8 square feet of space, its very affordable, and you can transfer your male guinea pig to a different section early. You might also notice they squeak in distress when you take them away from their mom. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. Here you'll find the juicy goods to care for your little friends WITHOUT making your brain short-circuit. Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. 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. Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. Even then, they must be handled very gently. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Kill Their Young? It is rare, but it does happen. Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. Sometimes it happens accidentally. We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. The reason is that male guinea pigs mature sexually very soon and can impregnate their mother as young as 2-3 months of age or even earlier. 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. If the mother is experiencing starvation , she may eat her offspring as an ultimate last resort. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the water bottle at least once per week. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. 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. Dwyer, C.M., et al, The effect of maternal undernutrition on the growth and development of the guinea pig placenta, Journal of Developmental Physiology, 1992. They have learned quite a few life skills from their mother and are ready to go to their new homes. When can baby guinea pigs be separated from their mother? Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? This is a question that has long been debated when it comes to guinea pigs. 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. Although they spring out with open eyes and fully furred, piggie pups are still small and fragile at first. They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. For the first 2-3 weeks , they will rely on their mother for milk. That is a common myth and is not true. This can lead to health problems. Although they are capable of eating almost immediately, baby guineas do still need to nurse and they will seek milk about every two hours. Keep in mind that guinea pigs are not the best choice to raise other female guinea pigs babies. Male guinea pigs are more likely to harm their babies but they shouldnt eat them. My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. They have small bodies and big eyes. It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. While guinea pigs are usually docile, friendly and social creatures, adult males should not be around the babies under any circumstances. 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. Sows sometimes give birth during the night. (What You Need To Know)Continue. As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. As you find a toy for your little fur baby, you might be asking, do guinea pigs like stuffed animals? (n.d.). While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. They Talk to You A.K.A. A mother guinea pig can eat her babies if one of the babies is born dead. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? As they grow, baby guinea pigs will require extra calcium to help their bones develop properly. This is called precociality. Once they die, she might eat them. The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. If that happens in captivity, thats extremely rare. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. Medical Disclaimer. They are cheerful and love to run around, squeak, eat, play, and poop. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? 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. Pregnant and lactating guinea pigs also need alfalfa hay to sustain their babies. This page is stuffed full of information about how to care for your baby guinea pig. This is why you should do everything in your power to make your female piggy feel at ease. If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Do guinea pigs miss their babies? https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUniverseReflected The all natural Piggies Choice Hay Racks are available finally! These colorful, chore charts will help you keep track of when to feed your fuzz butts, clean their cages, and much more. Why Guinea Pigs Are Less Likely To Eat Their Babies? 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 babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. When they dont respond to her attention, she tries cleaning them more and more vigorously, until eventually she ends up damaging them. Berryman, J. C., Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Ethology, 1976. Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? Many people believe that guinea pigs get attached to their owners and that they miss their parents when they are separated. Giving birth is very stressful for the guinea pig mother and the babies. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. 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. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. This article has been extensively revised for 2019. But recognising the biological reasons why it occurs makes it easier to avoid. But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. After three weeks, baby guinea pigs can be separated from their mother and placed with other guinea pigs or their owner. 15 Best Pet Freshwater Fish For Beginners. Its normal to be upset and sad. I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. Guinea pigs have a good sense of hearing, so they will potentially even be able to hear you coming from down the hall. If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten.