The guinea pig fathers dont play any role in taking care of the litter, and can do more harm than good (sorry piggie dads!). Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. It may take some time for him to become comfortable with you. Keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy is an ongoing process that will require lots of dedication and effort from you. If her diet doesnt contain enough vital vitamins and nutrients, she can still be malnourished whilst receiving enough calories to maintain her body weight. Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. Sufficient nutrition, a mixture of alfalfa and timothy grass, keeps female guinea pigs hydrated and can prevent guinea pigs from eating their babies. 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. 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. i've been keeping this a secret for over a week now!! Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. ClickHEREfor a peek at my disclosure. Baby guinea pigs are capable of digesting solid food very soon after birth (within hours). However, they will continue to feed on their mothers milk as well. Here is how to tell if your baby guinea pig is a boy or girl: RELATED: CLICK HERE for more information on how to determine the sex of a guinea pig. Medical Disclaimer. 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. Since males can get any female guinea pig pregnant once they reach maturity - including their mothers - they're weaned and taken from their mother at three weeks old. While guinea pigs are usually docile, friendly and social creatures, adult males should not be around the babies under any circumstances. Wheek: The shrill noise a guinea pig or other small rodent makes. Prepare to separate the male and female baby guinea pigs by at least three weeks of age. I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. Other factors that make eating (or killing) the pups less likely include: piggies are natural herbivores and they have good maternal instincts (for rodents, anyway). The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. Adult guinea pigs eat timothy hay, orchard hay, or any other hay thats high in fiber. You have to remember that these babies are coming out of the womb ready to run around the cage and have fun very quickly. Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. 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. 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. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. Or house her with a neutered male to prevent future pregnancies. These colorful, chore charts will help you keep track of when to feed your fuzz butts, clean their cages, and much more. Female guinea pigs dont intentionally eat their babies nor do they kill them to eat them. Just simply focusing on your guinea pigs and trying to chat with them every day can go a long way. Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? Yes, guinea pigs do eat their babies. 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. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. Giving birth is very stressful for the guinea pig mother and the babies. This page is stuffed full of information about how to care for your baby guinea pig. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? 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's often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Piglet Okay, so it's not that clever. (700 to 1,100 grams), according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat their babies. All of the babies are usually born within 30 minutes once labor begins. How Can I Prevent Guinea Pigs From Eating Their Babies? 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. Squeaks, Scales and Tails is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC an affiliate advertising program. Although pet guinea pigs eating their pups is a very rare incident, it does happen sometimes. This was the most surprising thing to me! If the litter is too large, the mama . The average lifespan of the guinea pig is four or five years, but it can live much longer. When baby guinea pigs grow up the males are called boars and the females are called sows. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. 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. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. Guinea pig pregnancies are dangerous and the mortality rate is high both among guinea pig mothers and babies. Feed the guinea pig pups for the first 5 days around the clock every 4 to 5 hours. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. Our goal is to make Guinea Pig Den the ultimate resource for learning about your new guinea pig and helpful information before you bring one home as a pet. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. However, new guinea pig owners should be prepared for a long-term commitment. The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. Its important to know what signs to look out for so you can keep your piggies happy and healthy. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach Or Is It Bad For Them? This article has been extensively revised for 2019. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. Most species clean their offspring with their tongue and so do your little friends. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Make sure your pig has a lot of food. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. Make sure to separate your male guinea pigs from females in their litter too. 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. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. 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. However, taking some precautions can bring you peace of mind that your sow wont need to eat her babies. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? At those moments, the guinea pig mother can be very protective and you can be mistaken for a potential predator. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. Whether you plan on rearing your own litter of baby Abysinnian guinea pigs, or youre making plans to buy a baby Peruvian guinea pig, its valuable to be able to recognise whether theyre growing and developing normally for the species, and their breed. Firstly, please provide them with plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied. They will understand. Kind, K.L., Chronic maternal feed restriction impairs growth but increases adiposity of the fetal guinea pig, American Journal of Physiology, 2005. Guinea pigs are docile small animals. However, you should err on the side of caution. 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. The causes are different for each species. Within twenty-four hours they can start to eat grass, produce, hay, and pellet feed just like adults. By the time theyre a month old, baby guinea pigs body shape rather resembles that of a syrian hamster. (n.d.). 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. Ive wondered it myself. 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 pigs can recognize their owners and other people they know and trust. 2 3 cups mostly green, leafy vegetables, Occasional fruit too much sugar can lead to obesity. Now, lets begin at the beginning. 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. Individuals will be starting to show their own distinct personalities too. Pets. Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. i am so excited!!! They are able to see, hear and move around once they are born. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. 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). Although they are able to conceive year-round, springtime is the peak window for baby guineas appearing on the scene. Alternatively, you can contact local small animal shelters and ask if they have any baby guinea pigs for adoption. They look a little bit awkward as they begin to move around. (And How? Filial cannibalism is when animals eat their own offspring. And of course, when you run a finger over the area, you wont feel a penis! I thought they would be born helpless and look like baby rats or hamsters with no fur and their eyes closed. Guinea pigs eating babies is a rare but possible occurrence. Spaying a female guinea pig can be a risky procedure that not all veterinarians are willing to attempt. (n.d.). Guinea Pigs make excellent pets due to their playful, social nature. Baby guinea pigs are unique in that they are born with their eyes open! But if you have a tiny little guinea pig with a noteworthy squeak, this name is pretty darn adorable. As herbivores, they dont eat meat at all. Getting guinea pigs used to handling from an early age is an important part of rearing confident, relaxed pets. Begin by holding your guinea pig gently on their back. Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. Guinea pigs definitely can eat clementines. Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. That is a common myth and is not true. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. This is a question that has long been debated when it comes to guinea pigs. I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. You need to make the entire environment guinea pig-friendly. So your guinea pig is pregnant. Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. Most guinea pigs cages are designed for adult guinea pigs with a one inch space between the bars. Caring for a guinea pig can be challenging if you are unsure whether it is missing its baby. So it is not good practice by caring breeders. If you are unsure if the guinea pig is missing its baby, you may not be able to know if it is ill and needs to see a veterinarian. So, if youve been wanting to know if guinea pigs usually miss their owners, we hope you have the answer now. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. the babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. So, consider getting a cage large enough for them to play around. Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. Although guinea pigs occasionally sneeze, frequent sneezing is a sign of pneumonia, especially in response to climate change. male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies, guinea pigs can get attached to their owners. Use the tips in this post to understand why piggies eat their babies and to prevent it from happening. https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, I think my Guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? Pneumonia can occur with torticollis and can be fatal. Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. When they dont respond to her attention, she tries cleaning them more and more vigorously, until eventually she ends up damaging them. (Fun Facts). If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. 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. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140328-sloth-bear-zoo-infanticide-chimps-bonobos-animals, Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy: The Stages of Pregnancy. The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn babies. Although they are capable of eating almost immediately, baby guineas do still need to nurse and they will seek milk about every two hours. 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. Its normal to be upset and sad. If you handle a baby bird in a nest, the mother will often abandon them because she'll sense something isn't right (i.e. Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort. At six weeks old baby guineas pigs are fully weaned, and have stopped nursing from their mother. How long before you can handle baby guinea pigs? For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. It was fascinating to watch our new mom clean up after her newborn baby guinea pigs. Any guinea pig lover would approve. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? Do not disturb your guinea pigs when they are sleeping or nursing. Donnelly, T. M. and Brown, C. J., Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry, Veterinary Clinics Exotic Animal Practice, 2004. Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. A female guinea pig usually wont eat a baby guinea pig deliberately. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. The answer to this question is not entirely clear. Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. An inexperienced sow might accidentally damage her young with her teeth whilst trying to clean them up after the birth. Theres no fixed moment when a guinea pig stops being a pup and becomes an adult. See Also: Care Show details Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. They Talk to You A.K.A. Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. (And Other Key Terms), How Often Should You Clean a Guinea Pigs Cage? The standard litter can range from one to six little pups, with an avg. 3 hours ago WebBaby Guinea Pig Diet The first week of life is critical. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. It is rare, but it does happen. Guinea pigs are also notorious communicators, and they start vocalising from babyhood. Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). 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. However, they can seriously injure them when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. Guinea pigs have a good sense of hearing, so they will potentially even be able to hear you coming from down the hall. They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. At first your guinea pig baby may seem afraid when you pick him up. RSPCA Knowledgebase Let Australias most trusted animal welfare charity help you answer the big questions. and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? Like babies of all species, cute baby guinea pigs are tiny and winsome. 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. This blog will give you some helpful tips on how to make this a wonderful experience. (Find Out Now), 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know), Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies. (Find Out Now), Filial Cannibalism (and 7 Reasons Why Some Animal Moms Dine On Their Babies). This is one of the biggest reasons why a sow will engage in filial cannibalism. The largest guinea pig litter recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records contained a whopping 17 pups! After giving birth, the mother guinea pig is likely to eat the placenta but can end up eating her babies by mistake. 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. But, stick with me. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. If your guinea pig consistently has enough extra food, the chances of her needing to eat her pups drop to near zero. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Can Rabbits Eat Grapes Pros And Cons of Grapes For Rabbits. It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. So the remaining milestones left to look for relate to growth, feeding, behavior and sexual maturity. Whats your experience with newborn 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. Although they spring out with open eyes and fully furred, piggie pups are still small and fragile at first. 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. Guinea pig babies are born very quickly. The first twenty four hours are when the babies are at greatest risk for being eaten, so remain close during this period. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? You need to be able to provide your guinea pigs with regular ample attention all the time. The next thing you need to take care of is that make sure that their cages are heavy, comfortable, and not escapable. You don't have to be a professional breeder . Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. Baby boars must be separated from mama at three weeks. A healthy pup will resist and move away from the mother, alerting her of her mistake. Just like with taming older guinea pigs be patient and consistent. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. 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? Clements, M. and Kelly, J. But, can guinea pigs eat them? Common diseases in domestic guinea pigs include respiratory infections, diarrhea, itching, and boils due to infection (often the neck, throat, or external scratches). (2020, May 5). My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. 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. How Can You Prevent Your Guinea Pig from Eating Its Young?
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