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Guinea pigs can recognize their owners and other people they know and trust. So, if youve been wanting to know if guinea pigs usually miss their owners, we hope you have the answer now. Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. A mother guinea pig can eat her babies if one of the babies is born dead. Yes, guinea pigs like stuffed, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? The good news is that its unlikely for your pregnant pet to eat her offspring. Baby guinea pigs are called pups. Their compact, cylindrical bodies range from 8 to 10 inches . There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. But, stick with me. When they grow up, male guinea pigs are called boars, and females are called sows. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. 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 especially true for mammalian animals, who often form strong attachments with their young. 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. 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. (Find Out Now)Continue. Male baby guinea pigs have a donut-shaped genital opening in front of their anus. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Eat Their Young? Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). Ive wondered it myself. They are not cannibalistic because they are starving. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. 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. Besides, always separate baby guinea pigs from male guinea pigs. Berryman, J. C., Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Ethology, 1976. The first twenty four hours are when the babies are at greatest risk for being eaten, so remain close during this period. ClickHEREfor a peek at my disclosure. Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. Within twenty-four hours they can start to eat grass, produce, hay, and pellet feed just like adults. 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. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. 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. Kind, K.L., Chronic maternal feed restriction impairs growth but increases adiposity of the fetal guinea pig, American Journal of Physiology, 2005. We were stressed out during this time because we did not want to have another unexpected guinea pig pregnancy. How do I know when my guinea pig is ready to give birth? Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. For guinea pigs to reproduce, a male guinea pig needs to fertilize the female. Do guinea pigs remember their parents? Pets. But, when a pet parent has makes an intentional choice to breed, its really not worth the risk in most cases. Getting guinea pigs used to handling from an early age is an important part of rearing confident, relaxed pets. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. Honestly, I dont feel like its worth the risk. This may confirm why male guinea pigs eat baby guinea pigs, Guinea pigs are stressed out during placenta feeding and may eat the babies thinking its the postpartum part, They lack food and energy after their babies are born. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. This can be startling and upsetting. Many people believe that male guinea pigs eat their babies as well. A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. 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. (What Owners Need To Know)Continue, If you notice drool on your guinea pigs face it can be a sign that somethings wrong. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Thankfully, its only done when the mother feels she doesnt have any other option. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. Guinea pig pregnancy seems short to us, but in fact it lasts a remarkably long time for their size. Neutering is A LOT less risky for males than spaying is for females. However, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their young at all because guinea pigs are herbivores. Guinea pigs are not capable of "missing". You can also ask your vet for advice and support. Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. Housing your guinea pig is not particularly difficult, as there are a large variety of hutches and cages commercially available. It may take some time for him to become comfortable with you. Baby guinea pigs typically stay with their mother for about three weeks, but this can vary depending on the situation. You can certainly handle a little, because it wont make their mother reject them. No. In captivity, they cannot run away, which increases the stress. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. Although they are capable of eating almost immediately, baby guineas do still need to nurse and they will seek milk about every two hours. Guinea pig babies are called "pups" when they are born and are birthed into litters. The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. (n.d.). In the meantime, the best thing you can do is provide your guinea pig with plenty of love and attention, so it doesnt feel lonely. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. We will help you to raise your baby guinea pigs to become healthy, happy pets. Before making this assumption, consider the following possibilities: Unfortunately, the evidence of your sow eating her babies might be obvious. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. Put him back with his mother if he becomes vocal or squirmy. Having a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. Its important to remember that guinea pigs are prey animals and they can get intimidated very easily. 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. Guinea pigs can be aggressive towards each other if they are not adequately trained. Ahhhh, clementines. Pregnant and lactating guinea pigs also need alfalfa hay to sustain their babies. This way they can easily confuse their predator and a group of guinea pigs doing this is known as a stampede.. It is important to note that guinea pigs can get attached to their owners and may experience signs of separation anxiety when they are not around. A mix of alfalfa and timothy hay could keep the mother full and prevent this from happening. Guinea pig babies are actually called pups. 3 hours ago WebBaby Guinea Pig Diet The first week of life is critical. However, they will continue to feed on their mothers milk as well. (2020, May 5). 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. Pneumonia can occur with torticollis and can be fatal. How Can I Prevent Guinea Pigs From Eating Their Babies? Baby guinea pigs feed on their mothers milk but soon they will need lots of alfalfa hay thats rich in calcium. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. Find The Best Deals on Your Favorite guinea pig Products and Save! (n.d.). Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. However, in captivity that shouldnt happen at all because responsible pet owners keep them separate from pregnant and lactating sows and their babies. What Are Common Health Problems in Guinea Pigs? Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. Calcium is very important for baby piggies as they are growing and developing. Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. (And Other Key Terms), How Often Should You Clean a Guinea Pigs Cage? Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. 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. Bear in mind this doesnt necessarily mean she is dangerously thin. Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? It is important to consider the space between the bars of your guinea pig cage. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. Signs of Guinea pig loneliness, depression, and boredom include hair chewing, hiding, refusing to be handled, and general irritability. And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. It can be difficult to tell the difference between male and female guinea pigs under three weeks of age. These colorful, chore charts will help you keep track of when to feed your fuzz butts, clean their cages, and much more. Guinea pigs are also notorious communicators, and they start vocalising from babyhood. We found the following cage on Amazon that worked really well. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. Aggression between two newly introduced guinea pigs is very common and If your guinea pig is finding it hard to deal with the change of a new cage mate, try engaging him in more interaction with you than ever before. Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. of 2-4. Do not disturb your guinea pigs when they are sleeping or nursing. Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. In some cases, guinea pigs may lick or try to groom you as a sign of affection. Sows must also have a constant supply of hay (alfalfa for the extra calories) and pellets. Let's hear it for the boys. This was the most surprising thing to me! They have learned quite a few life skills from their mother and are ready to go to their new homes. The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. Watch after your guinea pig while she gives birth. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. (Such as blood and remaining body parts). Hold him against your chest to help him feel secure and safe. If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. Simon or George More classic goodies. Dont be surprised if your pup lets out a little chirp as a means of asking for food! (Keep that food bowl appropriately full!) However, we always recommend having more than one guinea pig because these small animals are social creatures and they need company. 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. In the next section weve assembled some of the most commonly asked questions our readers have about their baby guinea pigs. (What You Need To Know), Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? Their paws and head are comically outsized in proportion to their body, and they already have a full coat of fur. Male guinea pigs are more likely to harm their babies but they shouldnt eat them. 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. They will weigh as much as 2 kilos; most reside between 5 and 6 years, however some notably wholesome pets can reside 10 years or longer. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. When your guinea pig is pregnant they need more food than usual, and its surprisingly easy to give them less than what they need. Spaying a female guinea pig can be a risky procedure that not all veterinarians are willing to attempt. Clements, M. and Kelly, J. Yes, female guinea pigs do nurse their young for a few weeks after birth. Guinea pigs are not only kept as family pets, but like dogs, cats and rabbits, they are also bred for show. They are cheerful and love to run around, squeak, eat, play, and poop. 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. This can happen if the guinea pig is not being fed enough timothy hay, pellets, vitamin C supplements, etc. You have entered an incorrect email address! This can hurt their health and well-being. Once the pups arrive, monitor them closely to make sure nursing is established within 12 hours. (n.d.). I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. 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. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. Just like big farmyard pigs! Guinea pigs make the best mothers and give puppies the best chance of survival. If you look after the guinea pig mother regularly, she will allow you to touch her baby guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are peaceful creatures. It will also well as putting her at risk for developing diseases like toxaemia. A male guinea pig eats the babies only by a strange occurrence. It was fascinating to watch our new mom clean up after her newborn baby guinea pigs. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. 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. (2014, March 28). 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. When baby guinea pigs grow up the males are called boars and the females are called sows. Over the next 2 weeks, decrease the feeding time gradually. But, can guinea pigs eat them? 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. Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. RSPCA Knowledgebase Let Australias most trusted animal welfare charity help you answer the big questions. The largest guinea pig litter recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records contained a whopping 17 pups! Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. Here you'll find the juicy goods to care for your little friends WITHOUT making your brain short-circuit. Thankfully, she had an uneventful pregnancy and birth and did not eat her babies. 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. Guinea pigs weigh between 700 and 1200g. They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. Whats your experience with newborn baby guinea pigs? Guinea pigs and other rodents do not eat their babies because they are hungry. Read Also: How Often to Clean Guinea Pig Cage. Show some tender feelings towards your guinea pig. Do not over-handle the mother or you could cause her stress which will lead . In general, the color of Abyssinian guinea pigs is associated with congenital eye defects and digestive problems. How Few Is Too Few? Alternatively, you can contact local small animal shelters and ask if they have any baby guinea pigs for adoption. A newborn guinea pig might weigh around 3.5 ounces or 100 grams. By six weeks of age baby guinea pigs are self-sufficient and fully weaned. Guinea pigs are docile small animals. So as long as the enclosure is secure and the bars are tight, you should be fine. This is pretty rare. https://amzn.to/3iYcPHPAs well as the new Pigg. Sometimes it happens accidentally. Do guinea pigs get attached to their owners? But, give them time to bond with their mother so they can nurse. Guinea pig pregnancies are dangerous and the mortality rate is high both among guinea pig mothers and babies. I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. And the result is that guinea pig babies are born already more mature than many other species. I thought they would be born helpless and look like baby rats or hamsters with no fur and their eyes closed. 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. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesn't recognize them as his own offspring. When they dont respond to her attention, she tries cleaning them more and more vigorously, until eventually she ends up damaging them. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. If you have an affectionate male guinea pig, you can introduce the babies when they are in the same cage. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. (2010, July 22). But usually, mom will begin to discourage her babies from nursing at about the 3rd week. This can lead to health problems. 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. Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat their babies. The sow eating her pups may be starving. The surprising truth is that it happens more often than youd think. You can also give them a comfortable place to sleep, like a bed or hammock. And guinea pigs are quite fertile little creatures too! And within a few hours nursing should be established. 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. However, if its weak it might put up little resistance and be eaten entirely. Where can I find baby guinea pigs for sale? It is okay for you to handle the pups during the nursing period. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. Not only that, but they also have a full body of fur, and even their little claws are developed. But, if one or more of her litter is stillborn, she may eat it. The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn 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. Why would a pet guinea pig eat its own babies? What about baby guinea pigs for adoption? Caring for baby guinea pigs can be a rewarding experience if you know what to expect. Many living creatures eat other members of their species when necessary for survival. Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort. Although guinea pigs occasionally sneeze, frequent sneezing is a sign of pneumonia, especially in response to climate change. It's often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. 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. Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. Most guinea pigs cages are designed for adult guinea pigs with a one inch space between the bars. They Talk to You A.K.A. This page is stuffed full of information about how to care for your baby guinea pig. In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. This can harm the guinea pigs health, as they may become stressed or depressed. Baby guinea pig care - The Guinea Pig Manual. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. Breeding and reproduction of Guinea pigs All other pets Merck veterinary manual. As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. Bartesaghi, R., Severi, S., Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Neuroscience, 2004. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. You might even have witnessed them start to join in with social grooming by this point. Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. If it has not happened within the first 24 hours, it is very unlikely she will attempt to do it later on. 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. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups (as a general rule), so ideally you wouldn't want too many pups born at once. Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. 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. Baby guinea pigs are much smaller than their parents, so they can escape from the cage. Many others survive but have problems.Additionally, theres thousands (if not tens of thousands) of piggies without good homes now. 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. He may also help to nurse the babies. When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. (Find Out Now), 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know), Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? New guinea pig breeds are formalised by the American Cavy Breeders Association, who also oversee breed standards and competitions in the United States. There are different ways you can give your guinea pigs attention, and one of them is a good, old-fashioned daily petting session. When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. Guinea Pig Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? However, too much calcium is dangerous for an adult guinea pig. How do you tell if a baby guinea pig is a boy or girl? You can take some precautions to lower the risk of a guinea pig baby being eaten. i've been keeping this a secret for over a week now!! 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). Rather, they belong to a rodent species called cavies. 10. Piglet Okay, so it's not that clever. Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. If you push gently on their lower abdomen the penis may appear. We know that guinea pigs typically stay with their baby for about three weeks. This is one of the biggest reasons why a sow will engage in filial cannibalism. Orphans should be fed by an eyedropper or pet nurse within the first 12 to 24 hours of life. Newborn guinea pigs can open their eyes after they are born. Many people believe that guinea pigs get attached to their owners and that they miss their parents when they are separated. You have to remember that these babies are coming out of the womb ready to run around the cage and have fun very quickly. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. If that happens in captivity, thats extremely rare. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. Your guinea pig will be frustrated if their youngsters are upset or stressed. Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. This is especially true if pet parents have not given their pregnant sow enough food. Im guessing you probably have a lot of questions about guinea pig pregnancies. 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. Weaning age depends on several factors including the pups weight, the mothers milk supply, and the number of siblings. I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. Increase the protein content in your pregnant guinea pigs diet. 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. Always consult your vet if you think a baby guinea pig overly small, or failing to thrive.