Usually, the mother will eat the baby right after it's born. 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). Berryman, J. C., Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Ethology, 1976. Yes, it is okay to touch your new baby guinea pigs. 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. RSPCA Knowledgebase Let Australias most trusted animal welfare charity help you answer the big questions. Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. When separated from their parents, they often experience anxiety and depression. Increase the protein content in your pregnant guinea pigs diet. They also live for several years, longer than most other rodents, so you can enjoy them longer than other pet rodents. If you look after the guinea pig mother regularly, she will allow you to touch her baby guinea pigs. We will help you to raise your baby guinea pigs to become healthy, happy pets. Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. To avoid the risk of your guinea pig, eating her babies, take these safety steps. 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. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. 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. To pick up your guinea pig move slowly and gently pick him up with two hands. male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies, guinea pigs can get attached to their owners. However, in captivity that shouldnt happen at all because responsible pet owners keep them separate from pregnant and lactating sows and their babies. (n.d.). Baby guinea pigs are capable of digesting solid food very soon after birth (within hours). One of the ways they do this is through "wheeking". "Wheek" City. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. Guinea pigs may miss their parents, but more research must confirm this. When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. This can harm the guinea pigs health, as they may become stressed or depressed. They have learned quite a few life skills from their mother and are ready to go to their new homes. Female guinea pigs have a Y-shaped opening close to their anus. We used fleece bedding which we spot cleaned throughout the day by removing poop and leftover food. (Fun Facts). Garner-Richardson, V., Guinea Pig Nutrition, The Veterinary Nurse, 2013. If her diet doesnt contain enough vital vitamins and nutrients, she can still be malnourished whilst receiving enough calories to maintain her body weight. For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. They need supervised time out of their cages each day to run around and exercise. Your guinea pig wont eat its babies if you touch them. Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. Guinea pigs love to communicate. Im guessing you probably have a lot of questions about guinea pig pregnancies. Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. If your guinea pig consistently has enough extra food, the chances of her needing to eat her pups drop to near zero. Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig. Soak guinea pig pellets in water from the first day of life. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. And within a few hours nursing should be established. i've been keeping this a secret for over a week now!! 15 Best Pet Freshwater Fish For Beginners. 3 hours ago WebBaby Guinea Pig Diet The first week of life is critical. Firstly, please provide them with plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied. Coming up with a cute guinea pig name is a lot of fun, but can be tough. A male guinea pig might seriously injure his babies because he is territorial and feels intimidated. Continue to give milk to puppies for 21 days even when they start eating solid food. Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. However, some people have asked whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies after they have been separated. Whats your experience with newborn baby guinea pigs? Newborn guinea pigs weigh only 100 grams but they grow quickly. Guinea pigs are not only kept as family pets, but like dogs, cats and rabbits, they are also bred for show. Be prepared to assess them quickly, because they wont like to be held in that position for long! Guinea pigs mature quickly and will begin to nibble the hay, pellets and veggies fed to their mother within 24 hours. Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. So the remaining milestones left to look for relate to growth, feeding, behavior and sexual maturity. Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. Here are some of our top baby guinea pig name lists to help you feel inspired! But, only serve them as an occasional treat, because the high sugar and water content can cause health problems like obesity and diarrhea. Guinea pig pregnancies are dangerous and the mortality rate is high both among guinea pig mothers and babies. Guinea pigs eat their babies not because they want to kill them for food but for other reasons. Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape the enclosure? Guinea pigs weigh between 700 and 1200g. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long. This way, your guinea pig will not feel the need for extra nutrition. (700 to 1,100 grams), according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). Provide a pregnant guinea pig with extra food, water, and nutrients. It will also well as putting her at risk for developing diseases like toxaemia. 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. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. This is necessary to prevent pregnancy. If they are isolated, they may become lonely and sad. Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. As you find a toy for your little fur baby, you might be asking, do guinea pigs like stuffed animals? Guinea Pig Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? 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. 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. You should increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables given daily and also consider pet-friendly supplements. (And How? 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). This website was inspired by our guinea pig pair, Theo and Remmy, and is our familys journey to becoming the best guinea pig parents. and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. Calcium is very important for baby piggies as they are growing and developing. But, stick with me. Thankfully, its only done when the mother feels she doesnt have any other option. They are cheerful and love to run around, squeak, eat, play, and poop. Whereas there are over 13 Guinea Pig breeds, English, Abyssinian, and Peruvian Guinea Pigs are the most well-liked. Place the cage in a quiet, draft-free area your home that is out of direct sunlight. Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. But recognising the biological reasons why it occurs makes it easier to avoid. Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). Its unwise to create more. [9] They will still need to nurse, though, for three weeks before they are ready to be removed from their mother. (Find Out Now), 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know), Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? If you are considering getting a guinea pig, ensure you can provide them with the social interaction they need. Male guinea pigs are more likely to harm their babies but they shouldnt eat them. 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. (Find Out Now)Continue. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the water bottle at least once per week. If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. If you carefully run a finger over the area, you should be able to feel the shaft of their penis under the skin. 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. They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! 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. Most species clean their offspring with their tongue and so do your little friends. You need to make the entire environment guinea pig-friendly. A guinea pig baby can show mating behaviors at about three to four weeks of age. Once they die, she might eat them. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, Pregnancy toxemia in Guinea pigs. Well be discussing more about this in todays article. Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. This article has been extensively revised for 2019. This is a question that many guinea pig owners have. Signs of Guinea pig loneliness, depression, and boredom include hair chewing, hiding, refusing to be handled, and general irritability. Sometimes adults will do this with each other too. This is a question that has long been debated when it comes to guinea pigs. So your guinea pig is pregnant. Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. 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. Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. Neutering is A LOT less risky for males than spaying is for females. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? If you are unsure, it is best to consult with a veterinarian to help determine the sex of the pups. (Keep that food bowl appropriately full!) Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. Change the water daily. Baby guinea pigs typically stay with their mother for about three weeks, but this can vary depending on the situation. She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. National Geographic. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. ), Guinea pigs can suffer from running lice. We try to conform to the same standards and expectations when it comes to animal interactions and instincts. (2010, July 22). You will get a kick out of their eagerness to chase each other around and play, and maybe even start popcorning. But most people think of it as being around four weeks old, when they reach sexual maturity. More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. It is perfectly fine to handle your new guinea pigs within the first week. Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? How Can I Prevent Guinea Pigs From Eating Their Babies? This was the most surprising thing to me! 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. An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies. In general, most female guinea pigs who survives birth and delivery will and raise her litter without any issues. Their tiny mouths already manage to contain 20 teeth, which grow continuously. However, taking some precautions can bring you peace of mind that your sow wont need to eat her babies. Merck Veterinary Manual. It can be hard to tell when your pregnant guinea pig is going to deliver her babies because unlike dogs and cats, they do not prepare a nest. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? Guinea pigs can eat a lot of different types of fruit. Equally, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their babies because they dont eat meat. 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. Guinea pig pregnancy seems short to us, but in fact it lasts a remarkably long time for their size. My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. Guinea Pigs make excellent pets due to their playful, social nature. Three weeks marks the earliest point at which pups may stop nursing from their mother. Guinea pigs make the best mothers and give puppies the best chance of survival. When you touch them be soft and gentle. The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. Male baby guinea pigs have a donut-shaped genital opening in front of their anus. Guinea pigs form close bonds with their families and can be very attached to their parents. But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! By the time theyre a month old, baby guinea pigs body shape rather resembles that of a syrian hamster. 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. 2 3 cups mostly green, leafy vegetables, Occasional fruit too much sugar can lead to obesity. But if you have a tiny little guinea pig with a noteworthy squeak, this name is pretty darn adorable. Why would a pet guinea pig eat its own babies? Just simply focusing on your guinea pigs and trying to chat with them every day can go a long way. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? Baby guinea pigs are called pups. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Kill Their Young? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Squeaks and Nibbles is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, Squeaks and Nibbles is also 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. Guinea pigs are fragile animals at any age but especially during their early days of life. If you are just considering the idea of owning guinea pigs, ensure that you already have the capacity to take care of them and also provide them with quality interplay. During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: This was one question that had me really worried. Any sudden movement or noise can scare them. 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. By giving them enough time with their mother, you reduce the risk that she will reject them. If that happens in captivity, thats extremely rare. Just like big farmyard pigs! the babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. Want to know more? Its understandable to feel that way. I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. But, can guinea pigs eat them? 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. Theyre filled with Vitamin C and other essential nutrients that guinea pigs need. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. Guinea pig babies are called "pups" when they are born and are birthed into litters. 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. During pregnancy your sow will need lots of energy and vitamin C, so make sure her hay doesnt run out, and offer a larger helping of fresh fruit and veg every day. Your guinea pig will be frustrated if their youngsters are upset or stressed. It can be difficult to tell the difference between male and female guinea pigs under three weeks of age. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice.