For the first 2-3 weeks , they will rely on their mother for milk. Caring for a guinea pig can be challenging if you are unsure whether it is missing its baby. One under his chest and one under his bottom. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups (as a general rule), so ideally you wouldn't want too many pups born at once. However, taking some precautions can bring you peace of mind that your sow wont need to eat her babies. If your guinea pig becomes acquainted with someone they don't trust, they may become quiet or hide when that person is nearby. As you find a toy for your little fur baby, you might be asking, do guinea pigs like stuffed animals? I didnt know how we would handle it if Theo rejected her babies or even worse ate her young! When your guinea pig is pregnant they need more food than usual, and its surprisingly easy to give them less than what they need. That way she doesnt have to deal with the stress of more pregnancies. Guinea pigs can typically handle labor and delivery without intervention; however, guinea pigs can die during the birthing process. 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. Briscoe, T.A., et al, Cardiovascular and renal disease in the adolescent guinea pig after chronic placental insufficiency, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2004. Guinea pig pregnancies are dangerous and the mortality rate is high both among guinea pig mothers and babies. Use the tips in this post to understand why piggies eat their babies and to prevent it from happening. Squeaks, Scales and Tails is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC an affiliate advertising program. 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. If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. Guinea pigs definitely can eat clementines. 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. So, what is the answer? Female guinea pigs have a Y-shaped opening close to their anus. Not only that, but they also have a full body of fur, and even their little claws are developed. Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. Caring for baby guinea pigs can be a rewarding experience if you know what to expect. For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. Guinea pigs are peaceful creatures. Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. This should reduce their spatial and jealous tendency. If you have a pregnant guinea pig, consider giving the her cage an upgrade, so she can take care of her pups comfortably. 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. 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. (And How? Do guinea pigs get attached to their babies? Thoroughly clean and disinfect the water bottle at least once per week. But most people think of it as being around four weeks old, when they reach sexual maturity. He may also help to nurse the babies. Yet, sometimes, guinea pigs can eat their babies. Bathing them, if its something you plan to try, should wait until they are at least eight weeks old. No matter how cute baby guinea pigs are, one litter at a time should be plenty for most people to think about. Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. You don't have to be a professional breeder . Our goal is to make Guinea Pig Den the ultimate resource for learning about your new guinea pig and helpful information before you bring one home as a pet. Keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy is an ongoing process that will require lots of dedication and effort from you. Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. Even then, they must be handled very gently. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? Foreign bodies in the eye of a guinea pig result in tearing, and corneal ulcers, which, in some cases, form a translucent film over the eyes. Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. How To Prevent a New Mother from Eating Her Babies? Clements, M. and Kelly, J. (What You Need To Know), Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? How long do baby guinea pigs stay with Mom? Be prepared to assess them quickly, because they wont like to be held in that position for long! They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. This is an essential process as it helps to ensure that the young guinea pigs can develop properly. Your guinea pig wont eat its babies if you touch them. Expect to pay around $10 to $40 on average, though this can vary depending on factors such as age and coloring. If that happens in captivity, thats extremely rare. mypetguineapig.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. Your Baby Guinea Pig What To Expect And How To Look How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. We spent some time coming up with cute guinea pig names for our babies and decided upon the following; Moose, Aspen, Moon and Finn! If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. However, in captivity that shouldnt happen at all because responsible pet owners keep them separate from pregnant and lactating sows and their babies. Equally, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their babies because they dont eat meat. (2014, March 28). 11. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. Guinea pigs love to communicate. Why Guinea Pigs Are Less Likely To Eat Their Babies? Under normal circumstances, the sow will give birth and have a healthy litter of pups. 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. (Such as blood and remaining body parts). Breeding and Reproduction of Guinea Pigs - All Other Pets - Merck At first your guinea pig baby may seem afraid when you pick him up. Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? Although guinea pigs need the presence of other guinea pigs, attention from human beings is also essential for their well-being. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? However, too much calcium is dangerous for an adult guinea pig. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. 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. 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. When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. How do I know when my guinea pig is ready to give birth? Newborn Guinea Pigs Pups Care, Feeding, Vaccines, and More - The Big Zoo Keep your little friend calm. 11811 Shaker Blvd, #204, PMB 289Cleveland, Ohio 44120(216) 912-6291. So, if youve been wanting to know if guinea pigs usually miss their owners, we hope you have the answer now. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. Additionally, when her babies are born she may eat them in order to prevent them from taking up the little space she has. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. When female guinea pigs eat their babies, they can do so because they are excessively hungry and because they are under a lot of stress that they cannot handle. 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 also teaching them how to interact with other guinea pigs. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. Try brushing your pets coats regularly as this can create soothing and pleasant connecting experiences. You can take some precautions to lower the risk of a guinea pig baby being eaten. For instance, most rats eat their babies. At three weeks of age it was still hard for us to tell the difference between the males and females. How Can I Prevent Guinea Pigs From Eating Their Babies? 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. This way they can easily confuse their predator and a group of guinea pigs doing this is known as a stampede.. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. 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. https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? Ive wondered it myself. Now, lets begin at the beginning. If you push gently on their lower abdomen the penis may appear. Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort. (And yes, its one of the more gruesome animal interactions in the wild.). 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. Guinea pigs dont hibernate, but they will slow down their metabolism and activity in order to stay warm, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? Individuals will be starting to show their own distinct personalities too. Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. 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). In a pet situation, the male may be in the same guinea pig cage as the female and her newborns, and there is no way for the mother to move the pups away from . National Geographic. What to Do If Your Guinea Pig Had Babies - YouTube (n.d.). By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. 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. Here are some of our top baby guinea pig name lists to help you feel inspired! It is essential for guinea pigs to have social contact with other guinea pigs. The good news is that its unlikely for your pregnant pet to eat her offspring. Its natural for you and me to humanize the behavior of animals. New guinea pig breeds are formalised by the American Cavy Breeders Association, who also oversee breed standards and competitions in the United States. The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. The average lifespan of the guinea pig is four or five years, but it can live much longer. They need to stay with their mother guinea pigs and suck their milk, but they will quickly become active. the babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. When female guinea pigs eat their babies, they can do so because they are excessively hungry and because they are under a lot of stress that they cannot handle. (And Other Key Terms), How Often Should You Clean a Guinea Pigs Cage? That is a common myth and is not true. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. They need supervised time out of their cages each day to run around and exercise. In general, most female guinea pigs who survives birth and delivery will and raise her litter without any issues. Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat their babies. Newborn Baby Guinea Pigs: What to expect? (it's not what you think) 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. Pets. For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. In captivity, they cannot run away, which increases the stress. Just keep your little friend with other females only. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. Lets take a closer look at this exciting topic. 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. ClickHEREfor a peek at my disclosure. If it has not happened within the first 24 hours, it is very unlikely she will attempt to do it later on. How Do Guinea Pigs Reproduce? (Breeding, Complications & More) Make sure to feed your guinea pig hay of high quality. At worst, it can cause her to reject them. 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. 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. Or at least make it a less dangerous one, for you, the guinea pig mother, and the baby piggies. Some say that they do not form the same type of attachment as other animals, while others believe that they do experience a certain level of sadness after their young have been weaned. 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. How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter? This is a question that many guinea pig owners have. Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over. Three weeks marks the earliest point at which pups may stop nursing from their mother. 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. If a guinea pig mother cannot nurse her babies due to illness or death, keep the orphans with as many pet guinea pigs as possible. Bartesaghi, R., Severi, S., Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Neuroscience, 2004. (Find Out Now), https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140328-sloth-bear-zoo-infanticide-chimps-bonobos-animals, https://lakeshorepethospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Guinea_Pig_Pregnancy.pdf, Removing the male guinea pig(s) will also. It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies - And How To Prevent It! In some cases, guinea pigs may lick or try to groom you as a sign of affection. Getting guinea pigs used to handling from an early age is an important part of rearing confident, relaxed pets. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! When you decide to introduce baby guinea pigs to an adult guinea pig, follow their behavior (monitor them for aggression) and respond quickly. We know that guinea pigs typically stay with their baby for about three weeks. Your guinea pig can definitely use more interplay with the loss of its buddy. Will Your Guinea Pig Eat Her Babies? (What You Need To Know) She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. 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 act of cannibalism in guinea pigs is usually the mother trying to protect the rest of her litter from predators. A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesn't recognize them as his own offspring. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. Alternatively, you can contact local small animal shelters and ask if they have any baby guinea pigs for adoption. However, separate male guinea pig babies from their mothers when they turn about two months old. 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. Baby guinea pigs are called pups just like baby dogs. Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig. The largest guinea pig litter recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records contained a whopping 17 pups! Make sure any seller houses male and female guinea pigs separately, or there could be a chance you'll take home a pregnant female. Place the cage in a quiet, draft-free area your home that is out of direct sunlight. So, consider getting a cage large enough for them to play around. One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? This is just enough space to allow the guinea pigs to escape. While guinea pigs are usually docile, friendly and social creatures, adult males should not be around the babies under any circumstances. Piglet Okay, so it's not that clever. If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. You need to be able to provide your guinea pigs with regular ample attention all the time. If the litter is too large, the mama . What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? Orphans should be fed by an eyedropper or pet nurse within the first 12 to 24 hours of life. When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. Guinea pig litters can contain up to eight pups, but two, three or four is more usual. They have learned quite a few life skills from their mother and are ready to go to their new homes. Try to provide your pet with the extra company as much as you can, even if only for a short period of time. Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. 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. Newborn guinea pigs weigh only 100 grams but they grow quickly. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. 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?) Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. And, when it happens, it is usually an accident, not a rule, and intentional behavior. Find The Best Deals on Your Favorite guinea pig Products and Save! Well, your guess is as good as mine guinea pigs sure miss their owners when theyre absent for so long. In almost all species, males are inherently territorial. So, its possible for their mother (especially if shes inexperienced with babies) to kill them with too much force. Newborn Guinea Pig Babies 10 Minutes Old! - YouTube Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? [The Surprising Truth] After three weeks, the baby guinea pig can be separated from its mother and placed with other guinea pigs or its owner. 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. 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. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. 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. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. Their compact, cylindrical bodies range from 8 to 10 inches . Do mother guinea pigs miss their babies when they are given away? If they are isolated, they may become lonely and sad. But, can guinea pigs eat them? If you are unsure, it is best to consult with a veterinarian to help determine the sex of the pups. Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. 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. Thats what they do while also making your life a much brighter place. Guinea pigs are social animals who rely on their families for support. (Fun Facts). You should increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables given daily and also consider pet-friendly supplements. They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. Give the orphaned puppy the same amount of water and evaporated guinea pig milk. Begin by holding your guinea pig gently on their back. A healthy pup will resist and move away from the mother, alerting her of her mistake. Whats your experience with newborn baby guinea pigs? I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. 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. I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. Many living creatures eat other members of their species when necessary for survival. Likely she has forgotten all about them, and is instead planning to to escape and start her next litter. 10. So it is not good practice by caring breeders. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. Ask your vet for advice if this isnt the case. Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. If you look after the guinea pig mother regularly, she will allow you to touch her baby guinea pigs. The answer to this question is not entirely clear. 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. When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? How long does it take for guinea pigs to be born? A mother guinea pig needs to clean the babies and eat the afterbirth to chemically generate the mammary glands to start producing milk. It's often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. 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. It is fine to carefully handle your new guinea pig pups during their first week, but be sure to allow them plenty of time with their mother as well. Guinea Pig Animal Facts | Cavia porcellus - AZ Animals Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. 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. However, you shouldnt touch the babies right after they are born. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? Wiki User 2008-10-08 02:35:56 This. The mother may eat her babies if one or more of her litter dies, or she is under a lot of stress. They are basically saying . On the other hand if youll be helping a sow to raise a litter of pups from birth, theres rather more to think about. Do Guinea Pigs Remember Their Siblings, Names, Owners & More Guinea pigs can eat their babies if they lack nutrition. AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE Firstly, please provide them with plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied. Make sure your pig has a lot of food. Make sure to separate your male guinea pigs from females in their litter too. They are not cannibalistic because they are starving. Sometimes it happens accidentally. 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. 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. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUniverseReflected The all natural Piggies Choice Hay Racks are available finally! Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. Baby guinea pigs are unique in that they are born with their eyes open! This little interaction will enable him warm to the introduction of a new cage mate better. Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. 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. Sows must also have a constant supply of hay (alfalfa for the extra calories) and pellets. Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? 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 need to know if you should reduce the amount of time you spend away from your pet.