We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. The above is important because it allows the mother to continue feeding and grooming her young. How Few Is Too Few? Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. (Such as blood and remaining body parts). Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? 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. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140328-sloth-bear-zoo-infanticide-chimps-bonobos-animals, Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy: The Stages of Pregnancy. Some guinea pig moms have their maternity care kicked in as they give birth while others take some time . Cage size Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape? If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. Sometimes it happens accidentally. Neutering is A LOT less risky for males than spaying is for females. In almost all species, males are inherently territorial. Female guinea pigs dont intentionally eat their babies nor do they kill them to eat them. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Although piggies are so cute, you cant always be there to have a staring contest with them. 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. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. However, some people have asked whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies after they have been separated. Even then, they must be handled very gently. But if you have a tiny little guinea pig with a noteworthy squeak, this name is pretty darn adorable. Do guinea pigs get attached to their owners? From the moment they are born they are unusually mature and capable of looking after themselves. 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. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. Most guinea pigs cages are designed for adult guinea pigs with a one inch space between the bars. Like babies of all species, cute baby guinea pigs are tiny and winsome. Increase the protein content in your pregnant guinea pigs diet. An average sized pup measures around 3 to 5 inches at birth, and very cylindrical roughly the size of a tangerine in fact! Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. Well chart the milestones of their first days and weeks, and find out what to expect if you discover your female guinea pig is expecting. However, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not this is true. Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. She is also teaching them how to interact with other guinea pigs. Sows sometimes give birth during the night. All of the babies are usually born within 30 minutes once labor begins. In most cases, guinea pigs won't miss you if you decide to leave them in the home instead of taking them with you for camping. A mother guinea pig can eat her babies if one of the babies is born dead. The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. Explain to them that they have not been replaced or that their babies have replaced your guinea pig. I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. 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?) Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. RELATED: CLICK HERE for tips on how to tame your guinea pig (step by step guide). 3 hours ago WebBaby Guinea Pig Diet The first week of life is critical. 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. Hold him against your chest to help him feel secure and safe. However, we always recommend having more than one guinea pig because these small animals are social creatures and they need company. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip Greens? Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. Guinea pigs are social animals who rely on their families for support. If possible, you should be present during the birth to provide support and comfort to the mother. But, stick with me. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. No. This is necessary to prevent pregnancy. By giving them enough time with their mother, you reduce the risk that she will reject them. She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. (n.d.). And guinea pigs are quite fertile little creatures too! Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. 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. In the next section weve assembled some of the most commonly asked questions our readers have about their baby guinea pigs. How To Stop Guinea Pigs Chewing On Cage Bars, Baby Chicken What To Expect From Egg To 8 Weeks Old, Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Cardiovascular and renal disease in the adolescent guinea pig after chronic placental insufficiency, The effect of maternal undernutrition on the growth and development of the guinea pig placenta, Chronic maternal feed restriction impairs growth but increases adiposity of the fetal guinea pig, Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, The Effects of Diet on Anatomy, Physiology and Health in the Guinea Pig, Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry. Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape the enclosure? 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. Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. I didnt know how we would handle it if Theo rejected her babies or even worse ate her young! She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. Guinea pigs definitely can eat clementines. The more factors that are present, the higher likelihood shell eat her pups. Calcium is very important for baby piggies as they are growing and developing. By the time theyre a month old, baby guinea pigs body shape rather resembles that of a syrian hamster. This can be startling and upsetting. When you touch them be soft and gentle. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? You might also notice they squeak in distress when you take them away from their mom. Guinea pig pregnancies are dangerous and the mortality rate is high both among guinea pig mothers and babies. 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. Berryman, J. C., Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Ethology, 1976. Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. In some cases, guinea pigs may lick or try to groom you as a sign of affection. Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over. You can take some precautions to lower the risk of a guinea pig baby being eaten. On the other hand if youll be helping a sow to raise a litter of pups from birth, theres rather more to think about. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. 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. Sometimes, male Guinea pigs will eat pups if they were fathered by another cavy. If you have an affectionate male guinea pig, you can introduce the babies when they are in the same cage. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long. Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. After giving birth, the mother guinea pig is likely to eat the placenta but can end up eating her babies by mistake. Guinea pig litters can contain up to eight pups, but two, three or four is more usual. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. How long do baby guinea pigs stay with Mom? Guinea pigs eat their babies not because they want to kill them for food but for other reasons. The surprising truth is that it happens more often than youd think. A female needs to give birth for the first time before the age of 7 months. Why would a pet guinea pig eat its own babies? However, they can seriously injure them when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. What is always important is to provide your pet guinea pigs with the best living conditions for the survival of the mother and the babies. Wed love to hear about your experiences in the comment section below! Baby guinea pig care - The Guinea Pig Manual. Well, your guess is as good as mine guinea pigs sure miss their owners when theyre absent for so long. It is essential for guinea pigs to have social contact with other guinea pigs. Clements, M. and Kelly, J. My mission is to teach others useful tips and tricks about these cute creatures. 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. It is okay for you to handle the pups during the nursing period. How Can You Prevent Your Guinea Pig from Eating Its Young? How To Prevent a New Mother from Eating Her Babies? And that means that in a mixed litter of boys and girls, its time for the boys to be relocated to a new home, to prevent unwanted pregnancies. It is also quite normal for baby guinea pigs to whine when approached by a much bigger and older guinea pig. 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. Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. 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. 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. Its unwise to create more. Your guinea pig wont eat its babies if you touch them. So, consider getting a cage large enough for them to play around. Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. Guinea pigs can typically handle labor and delivery without intervention; however, guinea pigs can die during the birthing process. Wheek: The shrill noise a guinea pig or other small rodent makes. Mange worms (Trichocross cavia) are a common cause of hair loss, and other symptoms may include excessive scratching, abnormal aggression when being touched, and, in some cases, seizures. Guinea pigs diet rests on grasses, herbs, hay, and raw fruits and vegetables. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. If you keep a male guinea pig with the mother and babies, introduce them slowly, so there is no aggression between the two adults. And of course, when you run a finger over the area, you wont feel a penis! They can impregnate mom and sisters! Alternatively, you can contact local small animal shelters and ask if they have any baby guinea pigs for adoption. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. At six weeks old baby guineas pigs are fully weaned, and have stopped nursing from their mother. Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. However, too much calcium is dangerous for an adult guinea pig. And all the behaviors theyll need to carry out for themselves instead of having performed for them by mom like grooming will be well established. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. This blog will give you some helpful tips on how to make this a wonderful experience. 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. Many others survive but have problems.Additionally, theres thousands (if not tens of thousands) of piggies without good homes now. The first twenty four hours are when the babies are at greatest risk for being eaten, so remain close during this period. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that we could position it low enough for the babies to reach it. How long does it take for guinea pigs to be born? Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUniverseReflected The all natural Piggies Choice Hay Racks are available finally! This will stop the mother from continuing to feed on them, and it will prevent the risk of diseases through decomposition. So the remaining milestones left to look for relate to growth, feeding, behavior and sexual maturity. 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. Lets take a closer look at this exciting topic. When you do approach the a baby guinea pig, be careful to move slowly and gently. This is where they learn how to bond and behave in a herd. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Eat Their Young? (What You Need To Know)Continue. Bear in mind this doesnt necessarily mean she is dangerously thin. Although guinea pigs need the presence of other guinea pigs, attention from human beings is also essential for their well-being. How do I know when my guinea pig is ready to give birth? The mother may eat her babies if one or more of her litter dies, or she is under a lot of stress. (Fun Facts). At those moments, the guinea pig mother can be very protective and you can be mistaken for a potential predator. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? Find The Best Deals on Your Favorite guinea pig Products and Save! Guinea pigs are tailless rodents that weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs. Newborn guinea pigs can open their eyes after they are born. But most people think of it as being around four weeks old, when they reach sexual maturity. (2010, July 22). And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. While guinea pigs are usually docile, friendly and social creatures, adult males should not be around the babies under any circumstances. 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. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. (Find Out Now), 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know), Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? When female guinea pigs eat their babies, they can do so because they are excessively hungry and because they are under a lot of stress that they cannot handle. Although they are able to conceive year-round, springtime is the peak window for baby guineas appearing on the scene. Dont be surprised if your pup lets out a little chirp as a means of asking for food! (Find Out Now), Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? Guinea pigs and other rodents do not eat their babies because they are hungry. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. Do not disturb your guinea pigs when they are sleeping or nursing. Let's hear it for the boys. 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! Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. We try to conform to the same standards and expectations when it comes to animal interactions and instincts. 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. i am so excited!!! Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. If they are isolated, they may become lonely and sad. Begin by holding your guinea pig gently on their back. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? They have small bodies and big eyes. We will help you to raise your baby guinea pigs to become healthy, happy pets. We know that guinea pigs typically stay with their baby for about three weeks. Garner-Richardson, V., Guinea Pig Nutrition, The Veterinary Nurse, 2013. (2014, March 28). This is why you should do everything in your power to make your female piggy feel at ease. Make sure to feed your guinea pig hay of high quality. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Kill Their Young? Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? Do guinea pigs remember their parents? However, you shouldnt touch the babies right after they are born. Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. Guinea Pigs make excellent pets due to their playful, social nature. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. This can happen if the guinea pig is not being fed enough timothy hay, pellets, vitamin C supplements, etc. However, they will continue to feed on their mothers milk as well. Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. It may take some time for him to become comfortable with you. But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? A mix of alfalfa and timothy hay could keep the mother full and prevent this from happening. Housing your guinea pig is not particularly difficult, as there are a large variety of hutches and cages commercially available. This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. It's particularly common when introducing new guinea pigs for the first time. Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. 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. Even their own children. After your guinea pig has given birth, shell clean up the evidence left behind to stop predators from tracking down their scent. Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. Getting guinea pigs used to handling from an early age is an important part of rearing confident, relaxed pets. Sometimes it happens accidentally. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. Many people believe that guinea pigs get attached to their owners and that they miss their parents when they are separated. Guinea pigs love to communicate. RSPCA Knowledgebase Let Australias most trusted animal welfare charity help you answer the big questions. Any sudden movement or noise can scare them. A male guinea pig eats the babies only by a strange occurrence. You cannot do any harm by touching your adult guinea pig or its babies. I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. 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. Coming up with a cute guinea pig name is a lot of fun, but can be tough. Guinea pigs eating babies is a rare but possible occurrence. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. We knew for sure that we had one male and two females, but it was still hard for us to tell with the fourth guinea pig. male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies, guinea pigs can get attached to their owners. B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. Hi there! Domestic guinea pigs originated in South America but today these vocal, sociable creatures thrive in households across the globe. But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! You have to remember that these babies are coming out of the womb ready to run around the cage and have fun very quickly. It is rare, but it does happen. She checked each one of them and licked them clean immediately following their birth. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. It can be difficult to tell the difference between male and female guinea pigs under three weeks of age. Yes, guinea pigs do mourn. Caring for a guinea pig can be challenging if you are unsure whether it is missing its baby. If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. What Are Common Health Problems in Guinea Pigs? This page is stuffed full of information about how to care for your baby guinea pig. This is a question that has long been debated when it comes to guinea pigs. Preview / Show more . New Plymouth Vet Group. (Benefits, Risks, Servings & FAQs), Baytril For Guinea Pigs (Side Effects, Efficacy, Dosage & FAQs), Signs Your Guinea Pig Hates You (Top 7 & And How to Fix It). Baby guinea pigs feed on their mothers milk but soon they will need lots of alfalfa hay thats rich in calcium. Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. Its just as important that your baby guinea pig also spends most of their time with other guinea pigs.