Guinea Pig Animal Facts | Cavia porcellus - AZ Animals 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. When you pick them up secure one hand beneath the stomach and one under the bottom and hold close to your chest. Baby guinea pigs are called pups. 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. Rather, they belong to a rodent species called cavies. Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. Try to provide your pet with the extra company as much as you can, even if only for a short period of time. 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. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by my readers, but it doesn't cost you anything at all. You can find a mentor by asking your local cavy club to put you in touch with suitable experienced breeders. 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. Likely she has forgotten all about them, and is instead planning to to escape and start her next litter. Guineapigden.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Baby guinea pigs typically stay with their mother for about three weeks, but this can vary depending on the situation. When baby guinea pigs grow up the males are called boars and the females are called sows. This blog will give you some helpful tips on how to make this a wonderful experience. https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. This is necessary to prevent pregnancy. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. The good news is that its unlikely for your pregnant pet to eat her offspring. Just being near their most preferred people can give guinea pigs a lot of comfort. What Are Common Health Problems in Guinea Pigs? Dont separate them from their mother too soon. All rights reserved. Guinea pig pregnancies are dangerous and the mortality rate is high both among guinea pig mothers and babies. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. There are, Read More 7 Alarming Reasons Why Guinea Pigs DroolContinue, What fruits can guinea pigs eat? You cannot do any harm by touching your adult guinea pig or its babies. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? However, some people have asked whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies after they have been separated. Many people believe that male guinea pigs eat their babies as well. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. You can do a few things to help your guinea pig cope when youre not around. (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). Weaning age depends on several factors including the pups weight, the mothers milk supply, and the number of siblings. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. Guinea pigs weigh between 700 and 1200g. Just like big farmyard pigs! Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. (Keep that food bowl appropriately full!) Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. The mother may eat her babies if one or more of her litter dies, or she is under a lot of stress. They will understand. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. And within a few hours nursing should be established. Although pet guinea pigs eating their pups is a very rare incident, it does happen sometimes. Or house her with a neutered male to prevent future pregnancies. Here are some of our top baby guinea pig name lists to help you feel inspired! Lets take a closer look at this exciting topic. If the mother is experiencing starvation , she may eat her offspring as an ultimate last resort. 10. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. You should increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables given daily and also consider pet-friendly supplements. But, when a pet parent has makes an intentional choice to breed, its really not worth the risk in most cases. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. (Find Out Now), Filial Cannibalism (and 7 Reasons Why Some Animal Moms Dine On Their Babies). Just keep your little friend with other females only. Do Guinea Pigs Nurse Their Young? This Is What You Should Know! Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. At those moments, the guinea pig mother can be very protective and you can be mistaken for a potential predator. (n.d.). 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. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. Keep the male guinea pig separate from his female partner to keep her safe and reduce the stress. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? Thats what they do while also making your life a much brighter place. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. The same goes for males. 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. Bear in mind this doesnt necessarily mean she is dangerously thin. Guinea pig babies are actually called pups. Why would a pet guinea pig eat its own babies? Why Do Guinea Pigs Whine (Is It Normal, What It Means) Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. Breeding and reproduction of Guinea pigs All other pets Merck veterinary manual. 11. Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. Do mother guinea pigs miss their babies when they are given away? This will stop the mother from continuing to feed on them, and it will prevent the risk of diseases through decomposition. How Many Babies Do Guinea Pigs Have? - Guinea Pig Hub Do Guinea Pigs Recognize Their Name? (How to Teach Them) This can happen if the guinea pig is not being fed enough timothy hay, pellets, vitamin C supplements, etc. When female guinea pigs eat their babies, they can do so because they are excessively hungry and because they are under a lot of stress that they cannot handle. But whether youre raising a litter from birth or buying an older baby guinea pig for sale, getting prepared in advance is the best way to make sure you provide them with the best start in life. (What You Need To Know)Continue. After your guinea pig has given birth, shell clean up the evidence left behind to stop predators from tracking down their scent. 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. Ahhhh, clementines. Following delivery, your guinea pig mama will be exhausted and hungry. This is a question that has long been debated when it comes to guinea pigs. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. Female guinea pigs have a Y-shaped opening close to their anus. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? 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. Sows must also have a constant supply of hay (alfalfa for the extra calories) and pellets. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter? Do Guinea Pigs Remember Their Siblings, Names, Owners & More Guinea Pigs May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming. Newborn Baby Guinea Pigs: What to expect? (it's not what you think) Now, lets begin at the beginning. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. Secondly, even an experienced guinea pig mom might resort to eating her young if she is severely malnourished. Baby guinea pigs feed on their mothers milk but soon they will need lots of alfalfa hay thats rich in calcium. However, they can seriously injure them when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. Baby guinea pigs are capable of digesting solid food very soon after birth (within hours). Once they are one to two finger-widths apart, it wont be long untilbirth.. To understand why a guinea pig mother killing and gobbling up her offspring is so rare and why its still a possibility (although it is a long shot), you need to know a little bit about the dynamics of. Extreme Stress -. (2014, March 28). To avoid the risk of your guinea pig, eating her babies, take these safety steps. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. Do Chickens Get Lonely? Youre gonna want to read this. I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. 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. Try brushing your pets coats regularly as this can create soothing and pleasant connecting experiences. 2 3 cups mostly green, leafy vegetables, Occasional fruit too much sugar can lead to obesity. Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. Ask your vet for advice if this isnt the case. (Find Out Now). However, taking some precautions can bring you peace of mind that your sow wont need to eat her babies. Do not over-handle the mother or you could cause her stress which will lead . 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. So, what is the answer? Theyre filled with Vitamin C and other essential nutrients that guinea pigs need. This can be very misleading especially when it comes to motherhood as many animals eat their offspring in certain circumstances. 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. We spent some time coming up with cute guinea pig names for our babies and decided upon the following; Moose, Aspen, Moon and Finn! Or at least make it a less dangerous one, for you, the guinea pig mother, and the baby piggies. In almost all species, males are inherently territorial. 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. Each birth is spaced out every 3 5 minutes. At three weeks of age it was still hard for us to tell the difference between the males and females. (Find Out Now)Continue. Sows sometimes give birth during the night. 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. The average lifespan of the guinea pig is four or five years, but it can live much longer. 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. When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. 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. An adult guinea pig will never deliberately harm or eat a newborn guinea pig. Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? She is also teaching them how to interact with other guinea pigs. But, only serve them as an occasional treat, because the high sugar and water content can cause health problems like obesity and diarrhea. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. The best time to breed guinea pigs is before the female turns 7 months of age. Wed love to hear from you in the comments below. Housing your guinea pig is not particularly difficult, as there are a large variety of hutches and cages commercially available. Getting guinea pigs used to handling from an early age is an important part of rearing confident, relaxed pets. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? 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. This is for several reasons: You should find this post helpful: Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? RELATED: CLICK HERE for tips on how to tame your guinea pig (step by step guide). He may also help to nurse the babies. of 2-4. Where can I find baby guinea pigs for sale? This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs. A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. They reach their adult size very quickly. She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. Common diseases in domestic guinea pigs include respiratory infections, diarrhea, itching, and boils due to infection (often the neck, throat, or external scratches). Before making this assumption, consider the following possibilities: Unfortunately, the evidence of your sow eating her babies might be obvious. 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. 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. Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. When your guinea pig is pregnant they need more food than usual, and its surprisingly easy to give them less than what they need. We will help you to raise your baby guinea pigs to become healthy, happy pets. This can lead to health problems. On the other hand, a male guinea pig eats guinea pig babies when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. Their paws and head are comically outsized in proportion to their body, and they already have a full coat of fur. 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. Guinea pigs may miss their parents, but more research must confirm this. You might also notice they squeak in distress when you take them away from their mom. Guinea Pig Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. In general, the color of Abyssinian guinea pigs is associated with congenital eye defects and digestive problems. I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. Guinea pig babies are called "pups" when they are born and are birthed into litters. But, give them time to bond with their mother so they can nurse.
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