The mother may eat her babies if one or more of her litter dies, or she is under a lot of stress. Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. Cage size Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape? The guinea pig fathers dont play any role in taking care of the litter, and can do more harm than good (sorry piggie dads!). A pregnant guinea pig requires a lot of extra nutrition. All of the babies are usually born within 30 minutes once labor begins. Guinea pigs are peaceful creatures. And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. In some cases, guinea pigs may lick or try to groom you as a sign of affection. How do you tell if a baby guinea pig is a boy or girl? Yes, female guinea pigs do nurse their young for a few weeks after birth. Donnelly, T. M. and Brown, C. J., Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry, Veterinary Clinics Exotic Animal Practice, 2004. Now, lets begin at the beginning. 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 can happen if the guinea pig is not being fed enough timothy hay, pellets, vitamin C supplements, etc. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. Do guinea pigs get attached to their babies? Do Chickens Get Lonely? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We hope you found this article helpful about what to expect when expecting newborn baby guinea pigs! How Can You Prevent Your Guinea Pig from Eating Its Young? By the time theyre a month old, baby guinea pigs body shape rather resembles that of a syrian hamster. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Equally, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their babies because they dont eat meat. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. From there you can jump straight to the answers you need, or join us for a complete overview of baby guinea pig development, week by week. Continue to give milk to puppies for 21 days even when they start eating solid food. Newborn guinea pigs can open their eyes after they are born. And make sure that the guinea pig mother is not present. This is necessary to prevent pregnancy. If you have a pregnant guinea pig, consider giving the her cage an upgrade, so she can take care of her pups comfortably. (Find Out Now). But, stick with me. Although pet guinea pigs eating their pups is a very rare incident, it does happen sometimes. Its understandable to feel that way. Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. Let's hear it for the boys. When you touch them be soft and gentle. Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. We read that the bedding needs to be changed daily. Hi there! Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. At worst, it can cause her to reject them. If your guinea pig becomes acquainted with someone they don't trust, they may become quiet or hide when that person is nearby. 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. 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. Spaying a female guinea pig can be a risky procedure that not all veterinarians are willing to attempt. For instance, most rats eat their babies. (Find Out Now), Filial Cannibalism (and 7 Reasons Why Some Animal Moms Dine On Their Babies). 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. Place one hand under their tummy and one behind their bottom, and hold the little guy close to you. Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. Ive wondered it myself. Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame. Here you'll find the juicy goods to care for your little friends WITHOUT making your brain short-circuit. After giving birth, the mother guinea pig is likely to eat the placenta but can end up eating her babies by mistake. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. Hold him against your chest to help him feel secure and safe. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. 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. Guinea pigs are docile small animals. National Geographic. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. 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. 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. It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. Do guinea pigs remember their parents? She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. If you have an affectionate male guinea pig, you can introduce the babies when they are in the same cage. Guinea pigs eating babies is a rare but possible occurrence. Guinea pigs can eat a lot of different types of fruit. One reason why a guinea pig mother might eat one of her pups is that she is extremely malnourished. However, they can seriously injure them when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. Guinea pigs may miss their parents, but more research must confirm this. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. Expect to pay around $10 to $40 on average, though this can vary depending on factors such as age and coloring. This usually happens when pups are stillborn, or born to ill to survive. If you carefully run a finger over the area, you should be able to feel the shaft of their penis under the skin. Why would a pet guinea pig eat its own babies? How long does it take for guinea pigs to be born? Allowing siblings to breed also poses a risk of dangerous congenital disorders to their offspring. The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. New Plymouth Vet Group. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesn't recognize them as his own offspring. Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. Its normal to be upset and sad. She checked each one of them and licked them clean immediately following their birth. The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. (n.d.). This is especially true if pet parents have not given their pregnant sow enough food. Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. When baby guinea pigs grow up the males are called boars and the females are called sows. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: This was one question that had me really worried. 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. Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. Guinea pigs eat their babies not because they want to kill them for food but for other reasons. Baby guinea pigs are much smaller than their parents, so they can escape from the cage. Although they spring out with open eyes and fully furred, piggie pups are still small and fragile at first. So it is not good practice by caring breeders. 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. We know that guinea pigs typically stay with their baby for about three weeks. 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. This process includes eating the placenta and, while she does this, there is a chance that she will mistake one of her babies for the placenta. 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. It will also well as putting her at risk for developing diseases like toxaemia. Prepare to separate the male and female baby guinea pigs by at least three weeks of age. An adult guinea pig will never deliberately harm or eat a newborn guinea pig. Just simply focusing on your guinea pigs and trying to chat with them every day can go a long way. Give the orphaned puppy the same amount of water and evaporated guinea pig milk. In the next section weve assembled some of the most commonly asked questions our readers have about their baby guinea pigs. Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. Babies grow fast. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy is an ongoing process that will require lots of dedication and effort from you. Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. Guinea pigs make the best mothers and give puppies the best chance of survival. This little interaction will enable him warm to the introduction of a new cage mate better. You can do a few things to help your guinea pig cope when youre not around. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. Baby guinea pigs are unique in that they are born with their eyes open! At those moments, the guinea pig mother can be very protective and you can be mistaken for a potential predator. A newborn guinea pig might weigh around 3.5 ounces or 100 grams. Pets. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? 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. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, Pregnancy toxemia in Guinea pigs. So, consider getting a cage large enough for them to play around. 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. 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. If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. Yes, guinea pigs do mourn. Before making this assumption, consider the following possibilities: Unfortunately, the evidence of your sow eating her babies might be obvious. 15 Best Pet Freshwater Fish For Beginners. i am so excited!!! Guinea pigs can typically handle labor and delivery without intervention; however, guinea pigs can die during the birthing process. Guinea pigs definitely can eat clementines. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. The average lifespan of the guinea pig is four or five years, but it can live much longer. When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs. It's often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. 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. 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. 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. Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. 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. An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies. 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. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. Your Baby Guinea Pig What To Expect And How To Look How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? 2 3 cups mostly green, leafy vegetables, Occasional fruit too much sugar can lead to obesity. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. The above is important because it allows the mother to continue feeding and grooming her young. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. When your guinea pig is pregnant her Vitamin C requirements double to around 20mg per day. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id","a865a53297bca918d5b51d234266ee3f");document.getElementById("e1b86b387e").setAttribute("id","comment"); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? Your guinea pig can definitely use more interplay with the loss of its buddy. In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig. 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. For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. The surprising truth is that it happens more often than youd think. However, you shouldnt touch the babies right after they are born. The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. We try to conform to the same standards and expectations when it comes to animal interactions and instincts. Once the pups arrive, monitor them closely to make sure nursing is established within 12 hours. On the other hand, if it turns out that they don't form any attachment to their young, then we can . 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. Male baby guinea pigs have a donut-shaped genital opening in front of their anus. You might even have witnessed them start to join in with social grooming by this point. When you decide to introduce baby guinea pigs to an adult guinea pig, follow their behavior (monitor them for aggression) and respond quickly. A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. Alternatively, you can contact local small animal shelters and ask if they have any baby guinea pigs for adoption. 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. Yes, guinea pigs like stuffed, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? (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. The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn babies. The standard litter can range from one to six little pups, with an avg. Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. 4. Usually, the mother will eat the baby right after it's born. Your guinea pig wont eat its babies if you touch them. (And yes, its one of the more gruesome animal interactions in the wild.). This is especially true for mammalian animals, who often form strong attachments with their young. Ask your vet for advice if this isnt the case. If you are a new guinea pig parent or have an unexpected pregnancy like we did, you too may have lots of questions about newborn baby guinea pigs. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? You need to know if you should reduce the amount of time you spend away from your pet. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. 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. 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. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. Yes, guinea pigs do eat their babies. It is okay for you to handle the pups during the nursing period. Dwyer, C.M., et al, The effect of maternal undernutrition on the growth and development of the guinea pig placenta, Journal of Developmental Physiology, 1992. There are, Read More 7 Alarming Reasons Why Guinea Pigs DroolContinue, What fruits can guinea pigs eat? They Talk to You A.K.A. Guinea pigs can jump over obstacles but these, When they recognize they are in danger, guinea pigs stand in one place for a long time then suddenly run very fast with a darting movement. If they are isolated, they may become lonely and sad. 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. Guinea pigs are not only kept as family pets, but like dogs, cats and rabbits, they are also bred for show. But recognising the biological reasons why it occurs makes it easier to avoid. Caring for a guinea pig can be challenging if you are unsure whether it is missing its baby. Its important to remember that guinea pigs are prey animals and they can get intimidated very easily. If you bring home your baby guinea pig at seven weeks old, youll find all the information you need to raise them in our guide to guinea pigs as pets. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! Keep your little friend calm. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. They have small bodies and big eyes. Dont be surprised if your pup lets out a little chirp as a means of asking for food! Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. Begin by holding your guinea pig gently on their back. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. 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. RSPCA Knowledgebase Let Australias most trusted animal welfare charity help you answer the big questions. A female guinea pig usually wont eat a baby guinea pig deliberately. They might surprise you with how busy and outgoing they are too. 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. This was the most surprising thing to me! After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. 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. However, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not this is true. Its unwise to create more. Over the next 2 weeks, decrease the feeding time gradually. You need to be able to provide your guinea pigs with regular ample attention all the time. One under his chest and one under his bottom. As herbivores, they dont eat meat at all. You need to make the entire environment guinea pig-friendly. So, I took some time to do some research on it for you. 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. What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? We spent some time coming up with cute guinea pig names for our babies and decided upon the following; Moose, Aspen, Moon and Finn! Try brushing your pets coats regularly as this can create soothing and pleasant connecting experiences. If it has not happened within the first 24 hours, it is very unlikely she will attempt to do it later on. There is a chance that your sow will only partially eat her offspring, particularly if she killed them by accident. They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. Guinea pigs and other rodents do not eat their babies because they are hungry. Your guinea pig will be frustrated if their youngsters are upset or stressed. Do guinea pigs get attached to their owners? To avoid the risk of your guinea pig, eating her babies, take these safety steps. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. This is a question that many guinea pig owners have. Even their own children. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. No. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. 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. How To Prevent a New Mother from Eating Her Babies? Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. Want to know more? While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. A human can serve as a surrogate mom if there are no other guinea pigs available, but it is best if the baby can be raised by its kind. However, in captivity that shouldnt happen at all because responsible pet owners keep them separate from pregnant and lactating sows and their babies. If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? In general, most female guinea pigs who survives birth and delivery will and raise her litter without any issues. The causes are different for each species. 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. So your guinea pig is pregnant. A healthy pup will resist and move away from the mother, alerting her of her mistake. I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. If you look after the guinea pig mother regularly, she will allow you to touch her baby guinea pigs. If she is pregnant, her chances of suffering from some illness will also increase, which will tempt her to eat a lot. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. Any guinea pig lover would approve. After three weeks, baby guinea pigs can be separated from their mother and placed with other guinea pigs or their owner. A male guinea pig eats the babies only by a strange occurrence. Their paws and head are comically outsized in proportion to their body, and they already have a full coat of fur. Guinea pigs are also notorious communicators, and they start vocalising from babyhood. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach Or Is It Bad For Them? 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.
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