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. Common diseases in domestic guinea pigs include respiratory infections, diarrhea, itching, and boils due to infection (often the neck, throat, or external scratches). 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. 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. Besides, always separate baby guinea pigs from male guinea pigs. This can hurt their health and well-being. That is a common myth and is not true. Once the pups arrive, monitor them closely to make sure nursing is established within 12 hours. It is essential for guinea pigs to have social contact with other guinea pigs. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. Any sudden movement or noise can scare them. They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. However, we always recommend having more than one guinea pig because these small animals are social creatures and they need company. If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. (Fun Facts). Guinea pigs diet rests on grasses, herbs, hay, and raw fruits and vegetables. 10. How Few Is Too Few? She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups (as a general rule), so ideally you wouldn't want too many pups born at once. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? 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 fragile animals at any age but especially during their early days of life. If separated from their parents, they may become anxious and depressed. Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. This is an essential process as it helps to ensure that the young guinea pigs can develop properly. It is perfectly fine to handle your new guinea pigs within the first week. We were stressed out during this time because we did not want to have another unexpected guinea pig pregnancy. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. First of all, dont be too hard on yourself. The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? A pregnant guinea pig requires a lot of extra nutrition. But, stick with me. Guinea pigs eat their babies not because they want to kill them for food but for other reasons. And if you push very gently, the penis might appear. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? In our research, we could not find a definitive age when guinea pigs are declared adults; however, they reach sexual maturity by four weeks of age. Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. Some guinea pigs are more likely to nuzzle or groom people or other guinea pigs. So, pet parents should be cautious and prepared when dealing with pregnant sows. 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. 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. An average sized pup measures around 3 to 5 inches at birth, and very cylindrical roughly the size of a tangerine in fact! Guinea pigs can be aggressive towards each other if they are not adequately trained. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. They reach their adult size very quickly. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Eat Their Young? If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. Guinea pigs are peaceful creatures. Or house her with a neutered male to prevent future pregnancies. 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. Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. After your guinea pig has given birth, shell clean up the evidence left behind to stop predators from tracking down their scent. Once all the serious aspects of baby guinea pig care are in hand, you can turn your mind to more fun tasks, like picking their names. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach Or Is It Bad For Them? So, I took some time to do some research on it for you. They need supervised time out of their cages each day to run around and exercise. 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. For the first 2-3 weeks , they will rely on their mother for milk. If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. 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. I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. In this article weve answered some frequently asked questions about newborn baby guinea pigs like: Whether you have a surprise guinea pig pregnancy or a planned one, there are a few things you will want to prepare in advance to make sure you are ready when your newborn baby guinea pigs arrive. AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE You can also give them a comfortable place to sleep, like a bed or hammock. I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. But, fruit should only be given as an occasional treat. Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. Can a Guinea Pig Baby Live Without the Mother? 15 Best Pet Freshwater Fish For Beginners. It was fascinating to watch our new mom clean up after her newborn baby guinea pigs. 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. This can harm the guinea pigs health, as they may become stressed or depressed. If that happens in captivity, thats extremely rare. This little interaction will enable him warm to the introduction of a new cage mate better. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. You just have to note that bringing mature guinea pigs together can sometimes be difficult, even if it is done in a slow and measured manner. Thankfully, she had an uneventful pregnancy and birth and did not eat her babies. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. RELATED: CLICK HERE for 99 cute guinea pig names to help you choose. Some guinea pig moms have their maternity care kicked in as they give birth while others take some time . 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. However, too much calcium is dangerous for an adult guinea pig. How To Prevent a New Mother from Eating Her Babies? If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. One reason why a guinea pig mother might eat one of her pups is that she is extremely malnourished. Explain to them that they have not been replaced or that their babies have replaced your guinea pig. On the other hand, if it turns out that they don't form any attachment to their young, then we can . Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. Begin by holding your guinea pig gently on their back. These small pets need a lot of food and nutrition. 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. These colorful, chore charts will help you keep track of when to feed your fuzz butts, clean their cages, and much more. Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. If the litter is too large, the mama . There is a chance that your sow will only partially eat her offspring, particularly if she killed them by accident. This is where they learn how to bond and behave in a herd. If you carefully run a finger over the area, you should be able to feel the shaft of their penis under the skin. By the time theyre a month old, baby guinea pigs body shape rather resembles that of a syrian hamster. Hold him against your chest to help him feel secure and safe. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. Their compact, cylindrical bodies range from 8 to 10 inches . and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? Ask your vet for advice if this isnt the case. So your guinea pig is pregnant. However, some people have asked whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies after they have been separated. Sometimes it happens accidentally. The next thing you need to take care of is that make sure that their cages are heavy, comfortable, and not escapable. Guinea pigs dont hibernate, but they will slow down their metabolism and activity in order to stay warm, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? After three weeks, baby guinea pigs can be separated from their mother and placed with other guinea pigs or their owner. Since their gestation lasts just 59-73 days, a female guinea pig is capable in theory of bearing five or even six litters a year.

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