(n.d.). Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. 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. Well be discussing more about this in todays article. Baby guinea pig care - The Guinea Pig Manual. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. What Are Common Health Problems in Guinea Pigs? Dont be surprised if your pup lets out a little chirp as a means of asking for food! Guinea pigs are tailless rodents that weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs. 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. Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over. At first your guinea pig baby may seem afraid when you pick him up. Over the next 2 weeks, decrease the feeding time gradually. Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame. Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. If your sow is in a very small enclosure, this could cause her unnecessary stress. 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. My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. Their tiny mouths already manage to contain 20 teeth, which grow continuously. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? When your guinea pig is pregnant her Vitamin C requirements double to around 20mg per day. It is rare, but it does happen. Your guinea pig can definitely use more interplay with the loss of its buddy. The next thing you need to take care of is that make sure that their cages are heavy, comfortable, and not escapable. If you are considering getting a guinea pig, ensure you can provide them with the social interaction they need. She is more likely to eat her babies as she can confuse the placenta and the babies. Cage size Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape? This is a question that has long been debated when it comes to guinea pigs. This is necessary to prevent pregnancy. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! Sufficient nutrition, a mixture of alfalfa and timothy grass, keeps female guinea pigs hydrated and can prevent guinea pigs from eating their babies. 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. 9. One of the ways they do this is through "wheeking". New babies are born with teeth, claws, and fur. 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. Watch after your guinea pig while she gives birth. 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. Likely she has forgotten all about them, and is instead planning to to escape and start her next litter. 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. Make sure to separate your male guinea pigs from females in their litter too. To avoid the risk of your guinea pig, eating her babies, take these safety steps. 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. Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. We try to conform to the same standards and expectations when it comes to animal interactions and instincts. A mother guinea pig can eat her babies if one of the babies is born dead. If your guinea pig consistently has enough extra food, the chances of her needing to eat her pups drop to near zero. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. Although they are able to conceive year-round, springtime is the peak window for baby guineas appearing on the scene. They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! Caring for a guinea pig can be challenging if you are unsure whether it is missing its baby. A male guinea pig might seriously injure his babies because he is territorial and feels intimidated. Baby guinea pigs are much smaller than their parents, so they can escape from the cage. While it might not be anything to worry about, sometimes it can be a sign of sickness. Individuals will be starting to show their own distinct personalities too. This is because, in the wild, guinea pigs are usually found in herds, so you should try to create that level of interaction for your domesticated guinea pigs. At three weeks of age it was still hard for us to tell the difference between the males and females. Within twenty-four hours they can start to eat grass, produce, hay, and pellet feed just like adults. 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. Having a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. Youre gonna want to read this. Baby guinea pigs are capable of digesting solid food very soon after birth (within hours). and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? Male guinea pigs are more likely to harm their babies but they shouldnt eat them. By six weeks of age baby guinea pigs are self-sufficient and fully weaned. This can lead to health problems. Show some tender feelings towards your guinea pig. Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. Provide a pregnant guinea pig with extra food, water, and nutrients. 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. There are different ways you can give your guinea pigs attention, and one of them is a good, old-fashioned daily petting session. They have small bodies and big eyes. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common.A female can give birth to up to 5 litters per year. 4. They look a little bit awkward as they begin to move around. Yet, the mother guinea pig will take care of them during the first few weeks, so dont separate them from her. Its understandable to feel that way. Female guinea pigs dont intentionally eat their babies nor do they kill them to eat them. 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 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. 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. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. The best thing you can do is provide adequate and proper nutrition to the new guinea pig mother. Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape the enclosure? Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. A newborn guinea pig might weigh around 3.5 ounces or 100 grams. You should increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables given daily and also consider pet-friendly supplements. This should reduce their spatial and jealous tendency. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. Watch this video to learn more about guinea pig. Orphans should be fed by an eyedropper or pet nurse within the first 12 to 24 hours of life. Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat their babies. (Find Out Now). Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Its important to know what signs to look out for so you can keep your piggies happy and healthy. 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. Many people believe that guinea pigs get attached to their owners and that they miss their parents when they are separated. For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. Pregnant and lactating guinea pigs also need alfalfa hay to sustain their babies. If they are isolated, they may become lonely and sad. This little interaction will enable him warm to the introduction of a new cage mate better. (n.d.). While guinea pigs are usually docile, friendly and social creatures, adult males should not be around the babies under any circumstances. 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. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. These colorful, chore charts will help you keep track of when to feed your fuzz butts, clean their cages, and much more. Explain to them that they have not been replaced or that their babies have replaced your guinea pig. However, you shouldnt touch the babies right after they are born. Change the water daily. Yes, guinea pigs do mourn. Guinea pigs make the best mothers and give puppies the best chance of survival. For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. Medical Disclaimer. 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 are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. But, when a pet parent has makes an intentional choice to breed, its really not worth the risk in most cases. When baby guinea pigs grow up the males are called boars and the females are called sows. This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. This process includes eating the placenta and, while she does this, there is a chance that she will mistake one of her babies for the placenta. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. Bathing them, if its something you plan to try, should wait until they are at least eight weeks old. Many others survive but have problems.Additionally, theres thousands (if not tens of thousands) of piggies without good homes now. Usually, the mother will eat the baby right after it's born. This may confirm why male guinea pigs eat baby guinea pigs, Guinea pigs are stressed out during placenta feeding and may eat the babies thinking its the postpartum part, They lack food and energy after their babies are born. Honestly, I dont feel like its worth the risk. An adult guinea pig will never deliberately harm or eat a newborn guinea pig. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? By giving them enough time with their mother, you reduce the risk that she will reject them. We found the following cage on Amazon that worked really well. 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? However, they will continue to feed on their mothers milk as well. If you have a pregnant guinea pig, consider giving the her cage an upgrade, so she can take care of her pups comfortably. 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. Baby guinea pigs typically stay with their mother for about three weeks, but this can vary depending on the situation. I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. They are able to see, hear and move around once they are born. Or at least make it a less dangerous one, for you, the guinea pig mother, and the baby piggies. And, when it happens, it is usually an accident, not a rule, and intentional behavior. She is also teaching them how to interact with other guinea pigs. Guinea pigs form close bonds with their families and can be very attached to their parents. One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? Male guinea pigs have a donut-shaped opening. Although they spring out with open eyes and fully furred, piggie pups are still small and fragile at first. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? Guinea pigs are peaceful creatures. If the litter is too large, the mama . The largest guinea pig litter recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records contained a whopping 17 pups! Read Also: How Often to Clean Guinea Pig Cage. A healthy pup will resist and move away from the mother, alerting her of her mistake. How long does it take for guinea pigs to be born? While it is a hard thing to think about, it can happen. 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. Even if guinea pigs cannot express emotions the way other pets like dogs or cats do, it doesnt mean they dont miss their owners when left alone for long. How Few Is Too Few? What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? You have to remember that these babies are coming out of the womb ready to run around the cage and have fun very quickly. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? All rights reserved. Do guinea pigs get attached to their babies? You might even have witnessed them start to join in with social grooming by this point. 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. How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. (Find Out Now)Continue, Choosing the right materials to use a as a cage liner for your guinea pigs cage can seem daunting especially when youre a new pet parent. 15 Best Pet Freshwater Fish For Beginners.
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