This can be very misleading especially when it comes to motherhood as many animals eat their offspring in certain circumstances. You can take some precautions to lower the risk of a guinea pig baby being eaten. Donnelly, T. M. and Brown, C. J., Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry, Veterinary Clinics Exotic Animal Practice, 2004. 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. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, Pregnancy toxemia in Guinea pigs. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. Most experts believe that guinea pigs are relatively emotionally resilient creatures and are unlikely to suffer significant emotional distress due to being separated from their young. Sometimes it happens accidentally. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are peaceful creatures. But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. So, consider getting a cage large enough for them to play around. Pregnant and lactating guinea pigs also need alfalfa hay to sustain their babies. While it might not be anything to worry about, sometimes it can be a sign of sickness. That is a common myth and is not true. Guinea pig pregnancies are dangerous and the mortality rate is high both among guinea pig mothers and babies. (Find Out Now), 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know), Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. Secondly, even an experienced guinea pig mom might resort to eating her young if she is severely malnourished. It will also well as putting her at risk for developing diseases like toxaemia. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip Greens?
Newborn Guinea Pigs Pups Care, Feeding, Vaccines, and More - The Big Zoo Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. Can Rabbits Eat Grapes Pros And Cons of Grapes For Rabbits. Wed love to hear about your experiences in the comment section below! You need to be able to provide your guinea pigs with regular ample attention all the time. A female guinea pig usually wont eat a baby guinea pig deliberately. A guinea pig baby can show mating behaviors at about three to four weeks of age. That way she doesnt have to deal with the stress of more pregnancies. RELATED: CLICK HERE for tips on how to tame your guinea pig (step by step guide). This is called precociality. Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. 11. Walter or Bob These guinea pigs sound like they should be wearing business suits on Wall Street. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. You need to make the entire environment guinea pig-friendly. Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape the enclosure? They will understand. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. Whereas there are over 13 Guinea Pig breeds, English, Abyssinian, and Peruvian Guinea Pigs are the most well-liked. They have small bodies and big eyes. Baby guinea pigs are called pups just like baby dogs. Guinea pigs are not only kept as family pets, but like dogs, cats and rabbits, they are also bred for show. 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. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. (2020, May 5). Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. Male guinea pigs are more likely to harm their babies but they shouldnt eat them. 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. This little interaction will enable him warm to the introduction of a new cage mate better. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. What about baby guinea pigs for adoption?
Owning Guinea Pigs | VCA Animal Hospital If your sow has eaten her own babies, you may want to consider changing her living conditions. (Find Out Now). You can expect your pup to wander curiously about their world during this time, but their legs are still a bit clumsy and theyre apt to suddenly plop down as they explore their environs. Why would a pet guinea pig eat its own babies? Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. (n.d.). If you keep a male guinea pig with the mother and babies, introduce them slowly, so there is no aggression between the two adults. Newborn guinea pigs can open their eyes after they are born. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? Breeding and reproduction of Guinea pigs All other pets Merck veterinary manual. RELATED: CLICK HERE for 99 cute guinea pig names to help you choose. You can find a mentor by asking your local cavy club to put you in touch with suitable experienced breeders. Clements, M. and Kelly, J. Where can I find baby guinea pigs for sale? (Find Out Now). This is pretty rare. How do I know when my guinea pig is ready to give birth? If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? If it does occur, the reasons will probably differ slightly from that of other species, and its important to understand these reasons in order to try to prevent it from happening: Most female guinea pigs will never eat their live young on purpose. Signs of Guinea pig loneliness, depression, and boredom include hair chewing, hiding, refusing to be handled, and general irritability. This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. Hey there, I'm Angela. Thankfully, she had an uneventful pregnancy and birth and did not eat her babies. Kind, K.L., Chronic maternal feed restriction impairs growth but increases adiposity of the fetal guinea pig, American Journal of Physiology, 2005. Change the water daily. Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? At three weeks of age it was still hard for us to tell the difference between the males and females. 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. Their compact, cylindrical bodies range from 8 to 10 inches . 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. Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. Your Baby Guinea Pig What To Expect And How To Look How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? And guinea pigs are quite fertile little creatures too! You can also give them a comfortable place to sleep, like a bed or hammock. When can baby guinea pigs be separated from their mother? Do guinea pigs get attached to their owners? However, separate male guinea pig babies from their mothers when they turn about two months old. Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. This page is stuffed full of information about how to care for your baby guinea pig. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. 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. 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. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Wanna read something more boring than watching paint dry? 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. 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. So as long as the enclosure is secure and the bars are tight, you should be fine. If the litter is too large, the mama . This can happen if the guinea pig is not being fed enough timothy hay, pellets, vitamin C supplements, etc. Let's hear it for the boys. Although guinea pigs occasionally sneeze, frequent sneezing is a sign of pneumonia, especially in response to climate change. Do not over-handle the mother or you could cause her stress which will lead . It is important to consider the space between the bars of your guinea pig cage. 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. Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. Place one hand under their tummy and one behind their bottom, and hold the little guy close to you. It is essential for guinea pigs to have social contact with other guinea pigs. Sometimes adults will do this with each other too. A healthy pup will resist and move away from the mother, alerting her of her mistake.
Breeding and Reproduction of Guinea Pigs - All Other Pets - Merck During pregnancy your sow will need lots of energy and vitamin C, so make sure her hay doesnt run out, and offer a larger helping of fresh fruit and veg every day. When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. Do everything you can to fulfill the wants and needs of the pregnant female, to make her feel safe and comfortable. Getting guinea pigs used to handling from an early age is an important part of rearing confident, relaxed pets.
If she is pregnant, her chances of suffering from some illness will also increase, which will tempt her to eat a lot. If a guinea pig mother cannot nurse her babies due to illness or death, keep the orphans with as many pet guinea pigs as possible. If you look after the guinea pig mother regularly, she will allow you to touch her baby guinea pigs. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. 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. Berryman, J. C., Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Ethology, 1976. As herbivores, they dont eat meat at all. Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? Guinea pigs can be aggressive towards each other if they are not adequately trained. Some guinea pigs are more likely to nuzzle or groom people or other guinea pigs. Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. Many others survive but have problems.Additionally, theres thousands (if not tens of thousands) of piggies without good homes now. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? This can hurt their health and well-being. They reach their adult size very quickly. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. When you decide to introduce baby guinea pigs to an adult guinea pig, follow their behavior (monitor them for aggression) and respond quickly. Alternatively, you can contact local small animal shelters and ask if they have any baby guinea pigs for adoption. 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. Can a Guinea Pig Baby Live Without the Mother? Thats what they do while also making your life a much brighter place. (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.
Do guinea pigs miss their babies? Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. In general, most female guinea pigs who survives birth and delivery will and raise her litter without any issues. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. It may take some time for him to become comfortable with you. This was the most surprising thing to me!
Do Guinea Pigs Remember Their Siblings, Names, Owners & More They will begin to wriggle and move about as soon as theyve been licked clean by their mom. And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. 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. Although pet guinea pigs eating their pups is a very rare incident, it does happen sometimes. Any guinea pig lover would approve. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. 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. Housing your guinea pig is not particularly difficult, as there are a large variety of hutches and cages commercially available. But, can guinea pigs eat them? Its important to remember that guinea pigs are prey animals and they can get intimidated very easily. It is rare, but it does happen. It was fascinating to watch our new mom clean up after her newborn baby guinea pigs. And within a few hours nursing should be established. 15 Best Pet Freshwater Fish For Beginners. (Such as blood and remaining body parts). On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. Wiki User 2008-10-08 02:35:56 This. Keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy is an ongoing process that will require lots of dedication and effort from you. If you have a pregnant guinea pig, consider giving the her cage an upgrade, so she can take care of her pups comfortably. Cute Guinea Pig Names 200 Unique Names To Choose From, Cow Names Over 400 Amazing Names For Your Cattle, Giving your litter the best start begins before your sow is even pregnant make sure she has a clean bill of health from a vet before she is mated, and buy a. Keep the male guinea pig separate from his female partner to keep her safe and reduce the stress. Guinea pigs eating babies is a rare but possible occurrence. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. We try to conform to the same standards and expectations when it comes to animal interactions and instincts. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. of 2-4. If your guinea pig consistently has enough extra food, the chances of her needing to eat her pups drop to near zero.
Do Guinea Pigs Recognize Their Name? (How to Teach Them) How Can You Prevent Your Guinea Pig from Eating Its Young? (What Owners Need To Know), What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. Many people believe that guinea pigs get attached to their owners and that they miss their parents when they are separated. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. Put him back with his mother if he becomes vocal or squirmy. 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. They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesn't recognize them as his own offspring. By giving them enough time with their mother, you reduce the risk that she will reject them. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. 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. They also live for several years, longer than most other rodents, so you can enjoy them longer than other pet rodents. When a guinea pig is about to give birth, any male guinea pigs near her will gather around and try to become the dominant male in order to both protect the female and mate with her. This article has been extensively revised for 2019. Equally, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their babies because they dont eat meat. CLICK HERE to check the price. This is for several reasons: You should find this post helpful: Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? However, too much calcium is dangerous for an adult guinea pig.
How long does it take for a baby guinea pig to walk? Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. Yes, female guinea pigs do nurse their young for a few weeks after birth. It is fine to carefully handle your new guinea pig pups during their first week, but be sure to allow them plenty of time with their mother as well. Although they spring out with open eyes and fully furred, piggie pups are still small and fragile at first. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? Hi there! How long do baby guinea pigs stay with Mom? But, stick with me. 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. They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. Firstly, please provide them with plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied. I personally dont recommend it and neither do vets and most responsible rescues and shelters.Accidents happen. Weaning age depends on several factors including the pups weight, the mothers milk supply, and the number of siblings. Handling them too much too soon can disrupt the bond they need with their mother in order to nurse from her, and huddle against her for warmth. 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. A mix of alfalfa and timothy hay could keep the mother full and prevent this from happening. First of all, dont be too hard on yourself. An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies. This is why you should do everything in your power to make your female piggy feel at ease. Three weeks marks the earliest point at which pups may stop nursing from their mother. On the other hand if youll be helping a sow to raise a litter of pups from birth, theres rather more to think about. This is one of the biggest reasons why a sow will engage in filial cannibalism. The act of cannibalism in guinea pigs is usually the mother trying to protect the rest of her litter from predators. Guinea pigs can eat their babies if they lack nutrition. Some guinea pig moms have their maternity care kicked in as they give birth while others take some time . The answer to this question is not entirely clear. Just being near their most preferred people can give guinea pigs a lot of comfort. So, if youve been wanting to know if guinea pigs usually miss their owners, we hope you have the answer now. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. 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. Guinea pigs are different from many other species; they are born with teeth and fur, and almost immediately they can see and walk around. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? Bathing them, if its something you plan to try, should wait until they are at least eight weeks old. Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. If separated from their parents, they may become anxious and depressed. 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. Yet, sometimes, guinea pigs can eat their babies. Your guinea pig wont eat its babies if you touch them. The next thing you need to take care of is that make sure that their cages are heavy, comfortable, and not escapable. But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! Guinea pigs are tailless rodents that weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs. Feed the guinea pig pups for the first 5 days around the clock every 4 to 5 hours.
How Do Guinea Pigs Reproduce? (Breeding, Complications & More) Newborn Guinea Pig Babies 10 Minutes Old! - YouTube (What Owners Need To Know)Continue, If you notice drool on your guinea pigs face it can be a sign that somethings wrong. Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. Why Guinea Pigs Are Less Likely To Eat Their Babies? (And How? When you do approach the a baby guinea pig, be careful to move slowly and gently. 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. Preview / Show more . So your guinea pig is pregnant. Guinea pig pups are essentially born ready to go: their eyes are open, they have hair and a full set of teeth, and they can run around on their own. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by my readers, but it doesn't cost you anything at all. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. Yes, guinea pigs do eat their babies. Thankfully, its only done when the mother feels she doesnt have any other option.