To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. 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. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. Almost the only reason why a female guinea pig can kill her babies is that she is so stressed that her mind cannot handle the strain. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. How Can You Prevent Your Guinea Pig from Eating Its Young? But, stick with me. This is for several reasons: You should find this post helpful: Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? This is necessary to prevent pregnancy. Thankfully, its only done when the mother feels she doesnt have any other option. So the remaining milestones left to look for relate to growth, feeding, behavior and sexual maturity. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. If youre going to be away for an extended period, you may also want to consider finding a friend or family member to care for your guinea pig in your absence. This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. (Keep that food bowl appropriately full!) The mother may eat her babies if one or more of her litter dies, or she is under a lot of stress. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. The same goes for males. Male baby guinea pigs have a donut-shaped genital opening in front of their anus. Over the next 2 weeks, decrease the feeding time gradually. If it has not happened within the first 24 hours, it is very unlikely she will attempt to do it later on. When they grow up, male guinea pigs are called boars, and females are called sows. When they dont respond to her attention, she tries cleaning them more and more vigorously, until eventually she ends up damaging them. (Fun Facts). If a typical guinea pig male suspects that the babies are not his own (whether or not this is the case in reality), he may kill and eat them. RELATED: CLICK HERE for tips on how to tame your guinea pig (step by step guide). She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. Newborn guinea pigs weigh only 100 grams but they grow quickly. Make sure she always has enough food. What about baby guinea pigs for adoption? But, fruit should only be given as an occasional treat. It is important to consider the space between the bars of your guinea pig cage. 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. (Benefits, Risks, Servings & FAQs), Baytril For Guinea Pigs (Side Effects, Efficacy, Dosage & FAQs), Signs Your Guinea Pig Hates You (Top 7 & And How to Fix It). Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. If you push gently on their lower abdomen the penis may appear. You have to remember that these babies are coming out of the womb ready to run around the cage and have fun very quickly. Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. 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. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. It is famously difficult to sex baby rodents, so the easiest way to be sure which of your pups are girls and which are boys is to ask a more experienced mentor, or a vet, to help you. This is where they learn how to bond and behave in a herd. This should reduce their spatial and jealous tendency. Once the pups arrive, monitor them closely to make sure nursing is established within 12 hours. 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. 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. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. Medical Disclaimer. Now, lets begin at the beginning. Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. Wed love to hear about your experiences in the comment section below! He may also help to nurse the babies. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. Wheek: The shrill noise a guinea pig or other small rodent makes. We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. i am so excited!!! 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. 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. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. If they are isolated, they may become lonely and sad. If you bring home your baby guinea pig at seven weeks old, youll find all the information you need to raise them in our guide to guinea pigs as pets. And guinea pigs are quite fertile little creatures too! The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn babies. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. (And yes, its one of the more gruesome animal interactions in the wild.). *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. 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. 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. 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. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. Housing your guinea pig is not particularly difficult, as there are a large variety of hutches and cages commercially available. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. Honestly, I dont feel like its worth the risk. How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter? Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. 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. After three weeks, the baby guinea pig can be separated from its mother and placed with other guinea pigs or its owner. At worst, it can cause her to reject them. Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. However, we always recommend having more than one guinea pig because these small animals are social creatures and they need company. In general, most female guinea pigs who survives birth and delivery will and raise her litter without any issues. 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. You can certainly handle a little, because it wont make their mother reject them. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by my readers, but it doesn't cost you anything at all. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? When you touch them be soft and gentle. "Wheek" City. RSPCA Knowledgebase Let Australias most trusted animal welfare charity help you answer the big questions. When baby guinea pigs grow up the males are called boars and the females are called sows. While it might not be anything to worry about, sometimes it can be a sign of sickness. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. Guinea pigs diet rests on grasses, herbs, hay, and raw fruits and vegetables. Expect to pay around $10 to $40 on average, though this can vary depending on factors such as age and coloring. This blog will give you some helpful tips on how to make this a wonderful experience. Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. An inexperienced sow might accidentally damage her young with her teeth whilst trying to clean them up after the birth. Having a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. Most people find that, when it comes to guinea pigs at least, babies are the cutest. This usually happens when pups are stillborn, or born to ill to survive. Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. 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. They will understand. Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. Handling them too much too soon can disrupt the bond they need with their mother in order to nurse from her, and huddle against her for warmth. See Also: Care Show details Guinea pigs eating babies is a rare but possible occurrence. (2014, March 28). The pups will learn a lot from how to form social bonds, to which foods are safe to eat from the adults they live with. They can impregnate mom and sisters! Many time, the pup gets killed accidentally and the mother eats it because she has a survival instinct. 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?) Even then, they must be handled very gently. For instance, most rats eat their babies. Their tiny mouths already manage to contain 20 teeth, which grow continuously. (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. the babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. Donnelly, T. M. and Brown, C. J., Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry, Veterinary Clinics Exotic Animal Practice, 2004. This is especially true for mammalian animals, who often form strong attachments with their young. (Find Out Now), Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. So it is not good practice by caring breeders. They need to stay with their mother guinea pigs and suck their milk, but they will quickly become active. Guinea pig babies can walk, see, and hear, as soon as they are born, and most start nibbling on solid foods within a few days. You need to make the entire environment guinea pig-friendly. One reason why a guinea pig mother might eat one of her pups is that she is extremely malnourished. Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. This article has been extensively revised for 2019. They look a little bit awkward as they begin to move around. A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. If you have an affectionate male guinea pig, you can introduce the babies when they are in the same cage. Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? From the moment they are born they are unusually mature and capable of looking after themselves. Guinea pig babies are born very quickly. https://lakeshorepethospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Guinea_Pig_Pregnancy.pdf, If you know anything about guinea pigs, you know they love to play. How To Prevent a New Mother from Eating Her Babies? Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. Here are some things we had to think about when we found out our guinea pig was pregnant: We adhered to the following recommended feeding guidelines for pregnant guinea pigs: RELATED: CLICK HERE to read about our unexpected guinea pig pregnancy and how to tell if your guinea pig is pregnant. Hi there! When can baby guinea pigs be separated from their mother? Provide a pregnant guinea pig with extra food, water, and nutrients. Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. Guinea pigs may be Darwinian in their process toward motherhood, meaning only strong individuals can survive and reproduce more, To eliminate competition, guinea pigs are reluctant to share their enclave, especially when other male guinea pigs are around. So as long as the enclosure is secure and the bars are tight, you should be fine. After three weeks, baby guinea pigs can be separated from their mother and placed with other guinea pigs or their owner. She is also teaching them how to interact with other guinea pigs. Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. They are cheerful and love to run around, squeak, eat, play, and poop. Under normal circumstances, the sow will give birth and have a healthy litter of pups. The first twenty four hours are when the babies are at greatest risk for being eaten, so remain close during this period. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. However, you should err on the side of caution. A newborn guinea pig might weigh around 3.5 ounces or 100 grams. 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. (n.d.). Although they are capable of eating almost immediately, baby guineas do still need to nurse and they will seek milk about every two hours. Although they are able to conceive year-round, springtime is the peak window for baby guineas appearing on the scene. An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies. Watch this video to learn more about guinea pig. Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig. So, consider getting a cage large enough for them to play around. Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. A healthy pup will resist and move away from the mother, alerting her of her mistake. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. Guinea pigs are docile small animals. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Eat Their Young? Baby guinea pigs typically stay with their mother for about three weeks, but this can vary depending on the situation. And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. But, give them time to bond with their mother so they can nurse. We try to conform to the same standards and expectations when it comes to animal interactions and instincts. How long before you can handle baby guinea pigs? Show some tender feelings towards your guinea pig. This is why you should do everything in your power to make your female piggy feel at ease. https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? Its just as important that your baby guinea pig also spends most of their time with other guinea pigs. 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. Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. RELATED: CLICK HERE for 99 cute guinea pig names to help you choose. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. So, if youve been wanting to know if guinea pigs usually miss their owners, we hope you have the answer now. In captivity, they cannot run away, which increases the stress. Here are some of our top baby guinea pig name lists to help you feel inspired! 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). (Find Out Now), Filial Cannibalism (and 7 Reasons Why Some Animal Moms Dine On Their Babies). Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. Guinea pigs make the best mothers and give puppies the best chance of survival. As you find a toy for your little fur baby, you might be asking, do guinea pigs like stuffed animals? However, some people have asked whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies after they have been separated. B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. 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. If you keep a male guinea pig with the mother and babies, introduce them slowly, so there is no aggression between the two adults. However, new guinea pig owners should be prepared for a long-term commitment. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. 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. Well be discussing more about this in todays article. Simon or George More classic goodies. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? So, pet parents should be cautious and prepared when dealing with pregnant sows. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. 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. Sometimes, male Guinea pigs will eat pups if they were fathered by another cavy. 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. Guinea pigs mature quickly and will begin to nibble the hay, pellets and veggies fed to their mother within 24 hours. While it is a hard thing to think about, it can happen. You have entered an incorrect email address! 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. Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. Not only that, but they also have a full body of fur, and even their little claws are developed. Besides, always separate baby guinea pigs from male guinea pigs. 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. And the result is that guinea pig babies are born already more mature than many other species. Do not disturb your guinea pigs when they are sleeping or nursing. (Such as blood and remaining body parts). Once they are one to two finger-widths apart, it wont be long untilbirth.. Lots of small animals (think rats and rabbits) have reputations for being prolific breeders. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. Any sudden movement or noise can scare them. It's often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. Be prepared to assess them quickly, because they wont like to be held in that position for long! Its understandable to feel that way. However, you shouldnt touch the babies right after they are born. An average sized pup measures around 3 to 5 inches at birth, and very cylindrical roughly the size of a tangerine in fact! A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. We were stressed out during this time because we did not want to have another unexpected guinea pig pregnancy. 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. Why Guinea Pigs Are Less Likely To Eat Their Babies? I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. When we discovered that our guinea pig was pregnant we had so many questions about newborn baby guinea pigs and what to expect once they were born. 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. and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? Just being near their most preferred people can give guinea pigs a lot of comfort. 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. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. 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.