Walter or Bob These guinea pigs sound like they should be wearing business suits on Wall Street. 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. They are able to express a wide range of emotions using different sounds and gestures. Do guinea pigs get attached to their owners? Here are some of our top baby guinea pig name lists to help you feel inspired! and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. The next thing you need to take care of is that make sure that their cages are heavy, comfortable, and not escapable. How Can I Prevent Guinea Pigs From Eating Their Babies? This is why you should do everything in your power to make your female piggy feel at ease. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. A newborn guinea pig might weigh around 3.5 ounces or 100 grams. Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. How to Take Care of a Female Guinea Pig With Babies - wikiHow Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. Watch this video to learn more about guinea pig. So, pet parents should be cautious and prepared when dealing with pregnant sows. Before making this assumption, consider the following possibilities: Unfortunately, the evidence of your sow eating her babies might be obvious. While it is certainly possible that guinea pigs may experience separation anxiety after their babies have been taken away, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that this is the case. Female guinea pigs dont intentionally eat their babies nor do they kill them to eat them. Pneumonia can occur with torticollis and can be fatal. Baby boars must be separated from mama at three weeks. 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. You can find a mentor by asking your local cavy club to put you in touch with suitable experienced breeders. Guinea Pig Facts | Live Science They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. 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. Giving birth is very stressful for the guinea pig mother and the babies. For instance, most rats eat their babies. Even then, they must be handled very gently. Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. In general, most female guinea pigs who survives birth and delivery will and raise her litter without any issues. 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. Their compact, cylindrical bodies range from 8 to 10 inches . They Talk to You A.K.A. However, new guinea pig owners should be prepared for a long-term commitment. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over. (And How? Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. Keep in mind that guinea pigs are not the best choice to raise other female guinea pigs babies. On the other hand if youll be helping a sow to raise a litter of pups from birth, theres rather more to think about. Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame. Most people find that, when it comes to guinea pigs at least, babies are the cutest. For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. Guinea pig babies are born looking like mini versions of their mama. Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. 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. You can also ask your vet for advice and support. However, taking some precautions can bring you peace of mind that your sow wont need to eat her babies. While the baby boars can be separated in just three weeks once they are fully weaned, the baby sows can remain with the mother for up to 4 weeks from the time of birth. The standard litter can range from one to six little pups, with an avg. ClickHEREfor a peek at my disclosure. If that happens in captivity, its a rare exception. If you look after the guinea pig mother regularly, she will allow you to touch her baby guinea pigs. 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. Weve already covered the reproductive cycle of guinea pigs and pregnancy and how to tell if a guinea pig is pregnant, so you can learn much more about these topics in our articles. Other causes of hair loss due to underlying medical conditions such as ovarian cysts may occur as a result of hormonal distress. Usually, the mother will eat the baby right after it's born. 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. An average sized pup measures around 3 to 5 inches at birth, and very cylindrical roughly the size of a tangerine in fact! When separated from their parents, they often experience anxiety and depression. We will help you to raise your baby guinea pigs to become healthy, happy pets. Some guinea pig moms have their maternity care kicked in as they give birth while others take some time . Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. We spent some time coming up with cute guinea pig names for our babies and decided upon the following; Moose, Aspen, Moon and Finn! We used fleece bedding which we spot cleaned throughout the day by removing poop and leftover food. Once the pups arrive, monitor them closely to make sure nursing is established within 12 hours. 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. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? [The Surprising Truth] Sometimes, male Guinea pigs will eat pups if they were fathered by another cavy. Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig. When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. 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. By the time theyre a month old, baby guinea pigs body shape rather resembles that of a syrian hamster. A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. 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. 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. Guinea pigs are also notorious communicators, and they start vocalising from babyhood. If the litter is too large, the mama . Can a Guinea Pig Baby Live Without the Mother? However, in captivity that shouldnt happen at all because responsible pet owners keep them separate from pregnant and lactating sows and their babies. One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? Make sure to separate your male guinea pigs from females in their litter too. 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. Place one hand under their tummy and one behind their bottom, and hold the little guy close to you. Guinea pigs make the best mothers and give puppies the best chance of survival. Berryman, J. C., Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Ethology, 1976. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. Soak guinea pig pellets in water from the first day of life. So, if youve been wanting to know if guinea pigs usually miss their owners, we hope you have the answer now. If that happens in captivity, thats extremely rare. If they are isolated, they may become lonely and sad. Guinea pigs may miss their parents, but more research must confirm this. (Find Out Now). Do Guinea Pigs Recognize Their Owners? (How to Tell) The sow eating her pups may be starving. Guinea pigs can eat their babies if they lack nutrition. 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. Although guinea pigs need the presence of other guinea pigs, attention from human beings is also essential for their well-being. They are cheerful and love to run around, squeak, eat, play, and poop. 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. Why Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? - Clever Pet Owners 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. Make sure she always has enough food. Want to know more? However, separate male guinea pig babies from their mothers when they turn about two months old. This is especially true if pet parents have not given their pregnant sow enough food. Neutering is A LOT less risky for males than spaying is for females. Try to provide your pet with the extra company as much as you can, even if only for a short period of time. Newborn Baby Guinea Pig Care - family-medical.net Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. Significantly, this is the age when pups will start to reach sexual maturity. There are different ways you can give your guinea pigs attention, and one of them is a good, old-fashioned daily petting session. Newborn Guinea Pig Babies 10 Minutes Old! - YouTube Guinea pigs have a good sense of hearing, so they will potentially even be able to hear you coming from down the hall. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. Many others survive but have problems.Additionally, theres thousands (if not tens of thousands) of piggies without good homes now. Guinea pigs mature quickly and will begin to nibble the hay, pellets and veggies fed to their mother within 24 hours. 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. And, when it happens, it is usually an accident, not a rule, and intentional behavior. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. And within a few hours nursing should be established. Guinea pig pregnancies are dangerous and the mortality rate is high both among guinea pig mothers and babies. I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. 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. Caring for baby guinea pigs can be a rewarding experience if you know what to expect. However, they will continue to feed on their mothers milk as well. Baby guinea pigs are much smaller than their parents, so they can escape from the cage. 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. An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies. A male guinea pig might seriously injure his babies because he is territorial and feels intimidated. Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. If your sow has eaten her own babies, you may want to consider changing her living conditions. To pick up your guinea pig move slowly and gently pick him up with two hands. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. The average guinea pig gestation is 59 72 days. Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? (Fun Facts) - Own Your Pet 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?) Guinea Pig Animal Facts | Cavia porcellus - AZ Animals 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 often happens when owners of female guinea pigs discover an unplanned pregnancy and arent able to care for all the babies. There are, Read More 7 Alarming Reasons Why Guinea Pigs DroolContinue, What fruits can guinea pigs eat? Sufficient nutrition, a mixture of alfalfa and timothy grass, keeps female guinea pigs hydrated and can prevent guinea pigs from eating their babies. How Do Guinea Pigs Reproduce? (Breeding, Complications & More) 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. You will get a kick out of their eagerness to chase each other around and play, and maybe even start popcorning. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? What Makes Them Do That And How To Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. Within twenty-four hours they can start to eat grass, produce, hay, and pellet feed just like adults. She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUniverseReflected The all natural Piggies Choice Hay Racks are available finally! If it has not happened within the first 24 hours, it is very unlikely she will attempt to do it later on. Baby guinea pigs are capable of digesting solid food very soon after birth (within hours). 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. Between then and reaching their full adult weight several months later, you might hear them being described as juniors. 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. The best thing you can do is provide adequate and proper nutrition to the new guinea pig mother. And all the behaviors theyll need to carry out for themselves instead of having performed for them by mom like grooming will be well established. Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. 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. One under his chest and one under his bottom. 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. Wed love to hear about your experiences in the comment section below! The more factors that are present, the higher likelihood shell eat her pups. Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Do Chickens Get Lonely? But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. And of course, when you run a finger over the area, you wont feel a penis! 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). This can hurt their health and well-being. When your guinea pig is pregnant they need more food than usual, and its surprisingly easy to give them less than what they need. Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. You need to know if you should reduce the amount of time you spend away from your pet. Owning Guinea Pigs | VCA Animal Hospital After giving birth, the mother guinea pig is likely to eat the placenta but can end up eating her babies by mistake. Garner-Richardson, V., Guinea Pig Nutrition, The Veterinary Nurse, 2013. (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). My mission is to teach others useful tips and tricks about these cute creatures. Baby guinea pigs are unique in that they are born with their eyes open! This article has been extensively revised for 2019. If her diet doesnt contain enough vital vitamins and nutrients, she can still be malnourished whilst receiving enough calories to maintain her body weight. 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. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. You need to make the entire environment guinea pig-friendly. This is called precociality. Three weeks marks the earliest point at which pups may stop nursing from their mother. Medical Disclaimer. Baby guinea pigs are called pups. Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. However, if its weak it might put up little resistance and be eaten entirely. The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that we could position it low enough for the babies to reach it. Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). Why Guinea Pigs Are Less Likely To Eat Their Babies? It is important to make sure that the pups begin nursing within the first few hours of birth. 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . On the other hand, if it turns out that they don't form any attachment to their young, then we can . How do you tell if a baby guinea pig is a boy or girl? Its understandable to feel that way. (Find Out Now), 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know), Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? (2010, July 22). What about baby guinea pigs for adoption? Check out these most popular guinea pig products on the market: Last update on 2023-02-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. Each birth is spaced out every 3 5 minutes. All rights reserved. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. The male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies is important because he helps keep them warm and protects them from predators. In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig. Bathing them, if its something you plan to try, should wait until they are at least eight weeks old. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. Allowing siblings to breed also poses a risk of dangerous congenital disorders to their offspring. This is especially true for mammalian animals, who often form strong attachments with their young. Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. Its important to know what signs to look out for so you can keep your piggies happy and healthy. How Many Babies Do Guinea Pigs Have? - Guinea Pig Hub 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. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. i've been keeping this a secret for over a week now!! Sometimes adults will do this with each other too. They will begin to wriggle and move about as soon as theyve been licked clean by their mom. Your Baby Guinea Pig - What To Expect And How To Look After Them Although they are capable of eating almost immediately, baby guineas do still need to nurse and they will seek milk about every two hours. Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? I didnt know how we would handle it if Theo rejected her babies or even worse ate her young! Once they die, she might eat them. You need to be able to provide your guinea pigs with regular ample attention all the time. A pregnant guinea pig requires a lot of extra nutrition. The best time to breed guinea pigs is before the female turns 7 months of age. 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. AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE What to Do If Your Guinea Pig Had Babies - YouTube At first your guinea pig baby may seem afraid when you pick him up. 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. Guinea pigs are docile small animals. Merck Veterinary Manual. New guinea pig breeds are formalised by the American Cavy Breeders Association, who also oversee breed standards and competitions in the United States. Babies grow fast. Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. 4. 9. The first twenty four hours are when the babies are at greatest risk for being eaten, so remain close during this period. (Such as blood and remaining body parts). Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. Baby guinea pigs feed on their mothers milk but soon they will need lots of alfalfa hay thats rich in calcium. Well, your guess is as good as mine guinea pigs sure miss their owners when theyre absent for so long.