Do not over-handle the mother or you could cause her stress which will lead . If you have a pregnant guinea pig, consider giving the her cage an upgrade, so she can take care of her pups comfortably. It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. Guinea pigs can eat their babies if they lack nutrition. Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. So, I took some time to do some research on it for you. The causes are different for each species. Sufficient nutrition, a mixture of alfalfa and timothy grass, keeps female guinea pigs hydrated and can prevent guinea pigs from eating their babies. Although guinea pigs occasionally sneeze, frequent sneezing is a sign of pneumonia, especially in response to climate change. We found the following cage on Amazon that worked really well. Even though they share similar names, guinea pigs do not belong to either the dog or pig family. 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. It can be difficult to tell the difference between male and female guinea pigs under three weeks of age. How do you tell if a baby guinea pig is a boy or girl? 4. They have learned quite a few life skills from their mother and are ready to go to their new homes. A female needs to give birth for the first time before the age of 7 months. How Few Is Too Few? This is just enough space to allow the guinea pigs to escape. No matter how cute baby guinea pigs are, one litter at a time should be plenty for most people to think about. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. We hope you found this article helpful about what to expect when expecting newborn baby guinea pigs! However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. (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. They will understand. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. Lots of small animals (think rats and rabbits) have reputations for being prolific breeders. Its important to remember that guinea pigs are prey animals and they can get intimidated very easily. If her diet doesnt contain enough vital vitamins and nutrients, she can still be malnourished whilst receiving enough calories to maintain her body weight. I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. Getting guinea pigs used to handling from an early age is an important part of rearing confident, relaxed pets. Guinea Pigs make excellent pets due to their playful, social nature. Other causes of hair loss due to underlying medical conditions such as ovarian cysts may occur as a result of hormonal distress. Sometimes, male Guinea pigs will eat pups if they were fathered by another cavy. How Can I Prevent Guinea Pigs From Eating Their Babies? If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. However, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not this is true. Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? The average lifespan of the guinea pig is four or five years, but it can live much longer. [9] They will still need to nurse, though, for three weeks before they are ready to be removed from their mother. Six or seven weeks old is the age at which most breeders will let their pups go to their new homes. You can do a few things to help your guinea pig cope when youre not around. Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? This will stop the mother from continuing to feed on them, and it will prevent the risk of diseases through decomposition. You need to know if you should reduce the amount of time you spend away from your pet. It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. If that happens in captivity, its a rare exception. Berryman, J. C., Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Ethology, 1976. Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? By the time theyre a month old, baby guinea pigs body shape rather resembles that of a syrian hamster. 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. All rights reserved. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. Guinea pigs have a good sense of hearing, so they will potentially even be able to hear you coming from down the hall. She is more likely to eat her babies as she can confuse the placenta and the babies. Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. On the other hand, female guinea pigs mature sexually at 2 months of age, so make sure to keep them separated from their brothers and father. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. 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. 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. RELATED: CLICK HERE for 99 cute guinea pig names to help you choose. They are cheerful and love to run around, squeak, eat, play, and poop. At three weeks of age it was still hard for us to tell the difference between the males and females. Wed love to hear about your experiences in the comment section below! 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. Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. Firstly, please provide them with plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied. When you decide to introduce baby guinea pigs to an adult guinea pig, follow their behavior (monitor them for aggression) and respond quickly. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. The best time to breed guinea pigs is before the female turns 7 months of age. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? Each birth is spaced out every 3 5 minutes. Baby guinea pigs are capable of digesting solid food very soon after birth (within hours). To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. Yes, guinea pigs do eat their babies. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. This often happens when owners of female guinea pigs discover an unplanned pregnancy and arent able to care for all the babies. After three weeks, baby guinea pigs can be separated from their mother and placed with other guinea pigs or their owner. These colorful, chore charts will help you keep track of when to feed your fuzz butts, clean their cages, and much more. It is also quite normal for baby guinea pigs to whine when approached by a much bigger and older guinea pig. Walter or Bob These guinea pigs sound like they should be wearing business suits on Wall Street. Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. They are not cannibalistic because they are starving. So it is not good practice by caring breeders. Baby guinea pigs are unique in that they are born with their eyes open! However, taking some precautions can bring you peace of mind that your sow wont need to eat her babies. The mother may eat her babies if one or more of her litter dies, or she is under a lot of stress. Sows sometimes give birth during the night. But, if one or more of her litter is stillborn, she may eat it. 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. If the litter is too large, the mama . The advantage of choosing the Midwest Habitat Plus is that it offers up to 8 square feet of space, its very affordable, and you can transfer your male guinea pig to a different section early. 2 3 cups mostly green, leafy vegetables, Occasional fruit too much sugar can lead to obesity. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. Ahhhh, clementines. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. As you find a toy for your little fur baby, you might be asking, do guinea pigs like stuffed animals? While it is a hard thing to think about, it can happen. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. Baby guinea pigs are much smaller than their parents, so they can escape from the cage. And guinea pigs are quite fertile little creatures too! Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). Besides, always separate baby guinea pigs from male guinea pigs. Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. To avoid the risk of your guinea pig, eating her babies, take these safety steps. A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. Guinea pigs are peaceful creatures. If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? How long before you can handle baby guinea pigs? Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. The more factors that are present, the higher likelihood shell eat her pups. For the first 2-3 weeks , they will rely on their mother for milk. Sometimes it happens accidentally. Guinea pigs are fragile animals at any age but especially during their early days of life. I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter? Guinea pigs mature quickly and will begin to nibble the hay, pellets and veggies fed to their mother within 24 hours. Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? Your guinea pig can definitely use more interplay with the loss of its buddy. Its normal to be upset and sad. https://amzn.to/3iYcPHPAs well as the new Pigg. The act of cannibalism in guinea pigs is usually the mother trying to protect the rest of her litter from predators. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. Make sure to feed your guinea pig hay of high quality. Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. GuineaPigDen.com is a participant in theAmazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Guinea Pig Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? However, they will continue to feed on their mothers milk as well. I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. This is called precociality. 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. In the next section weve assembled some of the most commonly asked questions our readers have about their baby guinea pigs. However, they can seriously injure them when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. Just like big farmyard pigs! Caring for a guinea pig can be challenging if you are unsure whether it is missing its baby. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. They Talk to You A.K.A. (Find Out Now), 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know), Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? While guinea pigs are usually docile, friendly and social creatures, adult males should not be around the babies under any circumstances. (n.d.). Paying lots of brief visits to your litter with mother, and getting them used to gentle handling without worrying them are going to be a vital foundation of good socialization. And if you push very gently, the penis might appear. Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. Feed the guinea pig pups for the first 5 days around the clock every 4 to 5 hours. and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? From the moment they are born they are unusually mature and capable of looking after themselves. 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 Can You Prevent Your Guinea Pig from Eating Its Young? 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. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. What about baby guinea pigs for adoption? https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. One under his chest and one under his bottom. To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long. 3 hours ago WebBaby Guinea Pig Diet The first week of life is critical. The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. Read Also: How Often to Clean Guinea Pig Cage. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? 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. If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. When the pregnant guinea pig is about to give birth, the male guinea pig must be separated from her because, within 12 hours after giving birth, she can become pregnant again. In almost all species, males are inherently territorial. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? Continue to give milk to puppies for 21 days even when they start eating solid food. male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies, guinea pigs can get attached to their owners. It is essential for guinea pigs to have social contact with other guinea pigs. 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. 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. When you pick them up secure one hand beneath the stomach and one under the bottom and hold close to your chest. Individuals will be starting to show their own distinct personalities too. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. the babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. Bear in mind this doesnt necessarily mean she is dangerously thin. CLICK HERE to check the price. 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. This little interaction will enable him warm to the introduction of a new cage mate better. Guinea pigs can be aggressive towards each other if they are not adequately trained. The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn babies. Giving birth is very stressful for the guinea pig mother and the babies. Female guinea pigs have a Y-shaped opening close to their anus. 9. If possible, you should be present during the birth to provide support and comfort to the mother. Just like with taming older guinea pigs be patient and consistent. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. (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). 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. The male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies is important because he helps keep them warm and protects them from predators. Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. Thankfully, she had an uneventful pregnancy and birth and did not eat her babies. You cannot do any harm by touching your adult guinea pig or its babies. Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. We read that the bedding needs to be changed daily. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. Although guinea pigs need the presence of other guinea pigs, attention from human beings is also essential for their well-being. Give the orphaned puppy the same amount of water and evaporated guinea pig milk. Provide a pregnant guinea pig with extra food, water, and nutrients. The largest guinea pig litter recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records contained a whopping 17 pups! This is especially true for mammalian animals, who often form strong attachments with their young. Guinea pigs can recognize their owners and other people they know and trust. At the end of the day we removed the fleece bedding, washed it and replaced it with a fresh fleece liner. 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. Following delivery, your guinea pig mama will be exhausted and hungry. On the other hand, if it turns out that they don't form any attachment to their young, then we can . Guinea pig pups are essentially born ready to go: their eyes are open, they have hair and a full set of teeth, and they can run around on their own. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. Guinea pigs are tailless rodents that weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs. 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. Also, they should have unlimited amounts of timothy hay and water all the time. Regarding animal parents, there is no greater love than that of a mother for her young. So the remaining milestones left to look for relate to growth, feeding, behavior and sexual maturity. For instance, most rats eat their babies. They will begin to wriggle and move about as soon as theyve been licked clean by their mom. The guinea pig fathers dont play any role in taking care of the litter, and can do more harm than good (sorry piggie dads!). New guinea pig breeds are formalised by the American Cavy Breeders Association, who also oversee breed standards and competitions in the United States. As they grow, baby guinea pigs will require extra calcium to help their bones develop properly. Place the cage in a quiet, draft-free area your home that is out of direct sunlight. (Find Out Now)Continue. They are able to express a wide range of emotions using different sounds and gestures. 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. Their paws and head are comically outsized in proportion to their body, and they already have a full coat of fur. 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. A male guinea pig might seriously injure his babies because he is territorial and feels intimidated. 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. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? This is necessary to prevent pregnancy. An adult guinea pig will never deliberately harm or eat a newborn guinea pig. (2014, March 28). Hold him against your chest to help him feel secure and safe. If your sow has eaten her own babies, you may want to consider changing her living conditions. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. Raising an orphaned guinea pig is not very difficult because mothers feed guinea pig pups only a few times per day and then leave them alone. So as long as the enclosure is secure and the bars are tight, you should be fine. To pick up your guinea pig move slowly and gently pick him up with two hands. However, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their young at all because guinea pigs are herbivores. They look a little bit awkward as they begin to move around. The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. If your guinea pig consistently has enough extra food, the chances of her needing to eat her pups drop to near zero. If that happens in captivity, thats extremely rare. Of course, every guinea pig is different, and some individual animals may indeed experience some sadness or loneliness after being separated from their babies if you are concerned that your guinea pig may miss its young, it. Although they are capable of eating almost immediately, baby guineas do still need to nurse and they will seek milk about every two hours. 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. Guinea pigs love to communicate. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Eat Their Young? Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. This can hurt their health and well-being. Watch this video to learn more about guinea pig. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? (n.d.). Many living creatures eat other members of their species when necessary for survival. 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame. Put him back with his mother if he becomes vocal or squirmy. Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. You can also ask your vet for advice and support. When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. But recognising the biological reasons why it occurs makes it easier to avoid. The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140328-sloth-bear-zoo-infanticide-chimps-bonobos-animals, Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy: The Stages of Pregnancy. As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. Lake Shore Veterinary Hospital offers the following helpful advice: If you touch her belly a couple of centimeters ahead of the anus, you will be able to feel that the pelvic bones have spread apart. We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. 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. When baby guinea pigs grow up the males are called boars and the 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. Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. Guinea pigs are also notorious communicators, and they start vocalising from babyhood. The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. Babies grow fast. There are, Read More 7 Alarming Reasons Why Guinea Pigs DroolContinue, What fruits can guinea pigs eat? 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. 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. 11811 Shaker Blvd, #204, PMB 289Cleveland, Ohio 44120(216) 912-6291. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. If youre not looking for a specific breed or sex of guinea pig, rescuing one from a shelter is a great way to meet your new pet. An inexperienced sow might accidentally damage her young with her teeth whilst trying to clean them up after the birth. But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! Some guinea pigs are more likely to nuzzle or groom people or other guinea pigs. 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. However, new guinea pig owners should be prepared for a long-term commitment. Over the next 2 weeks, decrease the feeding time gradually. Besides, guinea pigs should eat about 1/8 of pellets, and about a cup of a mixture of herbs, vegetables, and fruits, but all in moderate amounts. Yes, female guinea pigs do nurse their young for a few weeks after birth. 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. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. Bartesaghi, R., Severi, S., Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Neuroscience, 2004. You need to be able to provide your guinea pigs with regular ample attention all the time. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Why Guinea Pigs Are Less Likely To Eat Their Babies? About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. Do not disturb your guinea pigs when they are sleeping or nursing. "Wheek" City. 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. They reach their adult size very quickly. Or house her with a neutered male to prevent future pregnancies. Allowing siblings to breed also poses a risk of dangerous congenital disorders to their offspring. If your guinea pig becomes acquainted with someone they don't trust, they may become quiet or hide when that person is nearby. Domestic guinea pigs originated in South America but today these vocal, sociable creatures thrive in households across the globe. This was the most surprising thing to me! Baby guinea pig care - The Guinea Pig Manual. 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). Male baby guinea pigs have a donut-shaped genital opening in front of their anus.

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