We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. Other causes of hair loss due to underlying medical conditions such as ovarian cysts may occur as a result of hormonal distress. However, they can seriously injure them when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. Its important to remember that guinea pigs are prey animals and they can get intimidated very easily. 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). Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. 25 Sweet & Silly Guinea Pig Names - wideopenspaces.com Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. Now, if you have a dog or even a cat, you are sure it misses you when you have to go to work but do guinea pigs miss their owners? And if you push very gently, the penis might appear. Do Guinea Pigs Recognize Their Name? (How to Teach Them) Change the water daily. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long. You have entered an incorrect email address! Explain to them that they have not been replaced or that their babies have replaced your guinea pig. 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. The best thing you can do is provide adequate and proper nutrition to the new guinea pig mother. Guinea pigs are also notorious communicators, and they start vocalising from babyhood. Guinea pigs are not capable of "missing". I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. This is one of the biggest reasons why a sow will engage in filial cannibalism. Keep your little friend calm. You might even have witnessed them start to join in with social grooming by this point. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. In a pet situation, the male may be in the same guinea pig cage as the female and her newborns, and there is no way for the mother to move the pups away from . 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. The mother may eat her babies if one or more of her litter dies, or she is under a lot of stress. Guinea pigs are docile small animals. The next thing you need to take care of is that make sure that their cages are heavy, comfortable, and not escapable. (2020, May 5). A mix of alfalfa and timothy hay could keep the mother full and prevent this from happening. Pregnant and lactating guinea pigs also need alfalfa hay to sustain their babies. What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? Six or seven weeks old is the age at which most breeders will let their pups go to their new homes. Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. And within a few hours nursing should be established. Do Guinea Pigs Remember Their Siblings, Names, Owners & More It is important to consider the space between the bars of your guinea pig cage. 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. You can also ask your vet for advice and support. Guinea pig babies are born very quickly. 3 hours ago WebBaby Guinea Pig Diet The first week of life is critical. Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. This usually happens when pups are stillborn, or born to ill to survive. However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. On the other hand, a male guinea pig eats guinea pig babies when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. 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 is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. Keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy is an ongoing process that will require lots of dedication and effort from you. They need supervised time out of their cages each day to run around and exercise. Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. A female needs to give birth for the first time before the age of 7 months. From the moment they are born they are unusually mature and capable of looking after themselves. Adult guinea pigs eat timothy hay, orchard hay, or any other hay thats high in fiber. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. We will help you to raise your baby guinea pigs to become healthy, happy pets. How To Prevent a New Mother from Eating Her Babies? Newborn guinea pigs weigh only 100 grams but they grow quickly. Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE If possible, you should be present during the birth to provide support and comfort to the mother. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach Or Is It Bad For Them? Ahhhh, clementines. Female guinea pigs dont intentionally eat their babies nor do they kill them to eat them. Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape the enclosure? (Such as blood and remaining body parts). To pick up your guinea pig move slowly and gently pick him up with two hands. Do guinea pigs remember their parents? Remember to remove any they leave, as it will spoil quickly. But, give them time to bond with their mother so they can nurse. Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. 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. 11811 Shaker Blvd, #204, PMB 289Cleveland, Ohio 44120(216) 912-6291. By six weeks of age baby guinea pigs are self-sufficient and fully weaned. Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. Berryman, J. C., Guineapig Vocalizations: Their Structure, Causation and Function, Ethology, 1976. We try to conform to the same standards and expectations when it comes to animal interactions and instincts. Well, your guess is as good as mine guinea pigs sure miss their owners when theyre absent for so long. As they grow, baby guinea pigs will require extra calcium to help their bones develop properly. They have learned quite a few life skills from their mother and are ready to go to their new homes. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. Baby guinea pig care - The Guinea Pig Manual. (n.d.). And guinea pigs are quite fertile little creatures too! However, you should err on the side of caution. 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. Baby guinea pigs feed on their mothers milk but soon they will need lots of alfalfa hay thats rich in calcium. Here are some of our top baby guinea pig name lists to help you feel inspired! 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. Cage size Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape? She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. Honestly, I dont feel like its worth the risk. I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. (And yes, its one of the more gruesome animal interactions in the wild.). Increase the protein content in your pregnant guinea pigs diet. How Few Is Too Few? Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig. Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. Guinea pigs eat their babies not because they want to kill them for food but for other reasons. When you decide to introduce baby guinea pigs to an adult guinea pig, follow their behavior (monitor them for aggression) and respond quickly. and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? Never again hear the dreaded sounds of your guinea pigs angry squeaks because you forgot to clean out their cage or feed them on timefor the fourth day in a row. Guinea pig babies are called "pups" when they are born and are birthed into litters. Merck Veterinary Manual. (2010, July 22). Male guinea pigs are more likely to harm their babies but they shouldnt eat them. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? (The Surprising Truth) The male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies is important because he helps keep them warm and protects them from predators. The above is important because it allows the mother to continue feeding and grooming her young. RSPCA Knowledgebase Let Australias most trusted animal welfare charity help you answer the big questions. Here are some things we had to think about when we found out our guinea pig was pregnant: We adhered to the following recommended feeding guidelines for pregnant guinea pigs: RELATED: CLICK HERE to read about our unexpected guinea pig pregnancy and how to tell if your guinea pig is pregnant. 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. Every few hours for the first few days, you should hand-feed the baby guinea pig: mesh pellets or supplement powder, and if you have grown guinea pigs, also add a fecal . Guinea pigs diet rests on grasses, herbs, hay, and raw fruits and vegetables. Wheek: The shrill noise a guinea pig or other small rodent makes. Why Guinea Pigs Are Less Likely To Eat Their Babies? This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? What Makes Them Do That And How To Besides, always separate baby guinea pigs from male guinea pigs. Significantly, this is the age when pups will start to reach sexual maturity. The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. 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. They will understand. If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. Guinea pigs weigh between 700 and 1200g. This page is stuffed full of information about how to care for your baby guinea pig. We read that the bedding needs to be changed daily. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. Each birth is spaced out every 3 5 minutes. When separated from their parents, they often experience anxiety and depression. 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. New Plymouth Vet Group. The answer to this question is not entirely clear. Equally, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their babies because they dont eat meat. By the time theyre a month old, baby guinea pigs body shape rather resembles that of a syrian hamster. Theyre filled with Vitamin C and other essential nutrients that guinea pigs need. Guinea pigs are tailless rodents that weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. 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. 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. Thankfully, its only done when the mother feels she doesnt have any other option. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. 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. We hope youve enjoyed this in depth article about cute baby guinea pigs!Guinea pig pups are quite unlike most other baby animals. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140328-sloth-bear-zoo-infanticide-chimps-bonobos-animals, Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy: The Stages of Pregnancy. 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. Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? Even though they share similar names, guinea pigs do not belong to either the dog or pig family. Guinea Pig Babies Facts - Caring For All Pets Many people believe that guinea pigs get attached to their owners and that they miss their parents when they are separated. This article has been extensively revised for 2019. Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. 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. Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. However, you shouldnt touch the babies right after they are born. They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. How Old Are Guinea Pigs Before Leaving Their Mother? - Oddly Cute Pets National Geographic. The sow eating her pups may be starving. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. So, if youve been wanting to know if guinea pigs usually miss their owners, we hope you have the answer now. The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. Can a Guinea Pig Baby Live Without the Mother? This is just enough space to allow the guinea pigs to escape. The average lifespan of the guinea pig is four or five years, but it can live much longer. Signs of Guinea pig loneliness, depression, and boredom include hair chewing, hiding, refusing to be handled, and general irritability. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. Feed the guinea pig pups for the first 5 days around the clock every 4 to 5 hours. But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. Male guinea pigs have a donut-shaped opening. How long do baby guinea pigs stay with Mom? In almost all species, males are inherently territorial. 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. 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. 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. The standard litter can range from one to six little pups, with an avg. 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. Prepare to separate the male and female baby guinea pigs by at least three weeks of age. 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. Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. The guinea pig fathers dont play any role in taking care of the litter, and can do more harm than good (sorry piggie dads!). Yes, guinea pigs do mourn. 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. the babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. The first twenty four hours are when the babies are at greatest risk for being eaten, so remain close during this period. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They Talk to You A.K.A. If it is found that they experience sadness after their young have been weaned, it would suggest that we take extra care in handling this process. 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. The good news is that its unlikely for your pregnant pet to eat her offspring. Lake Shore Veterinary Hospital offers the following helpful advice: If you touch her belly a couple of centimeters ahead of the anus, you will be able to feel that the pelvic bones have spread apart. How to Care for a Pet Guinea Pig - The Spruce Pets The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. As herbivores, they dont eat meat at all. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. 11. 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. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. They need to stay with their mother guinea pigs and suck their milk, but they will quickly become active. Do Guinea Pigs Nurse Their Young? This Is What You Should Know! So, consider getting a cage large enough for them to play around. Although they are able to conceive year-round, springtime is the peak window for baby guineas appearing on the scene. How long before you can handle baby guinea pigs? However, new guinea pig owners should be prepared for a long-term commitment. CLICK HERE to check the price. If The Male Doesn't Believe the Babies Are His. Whats your experience with newborn baby guinea pigs? When you do approach the a baby guinea pig, be careful to move slowly and gently. All rights reserved. Baby guinea pigs typically stay with their mother for about three weeks, but this can vary depending on the situation. Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. 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. 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. The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. Do guinea pigs get attached to their owners? Just being near their most preferred people can give guinea pigs a lot of comfort. Thankfully, she had an uneventful pregnancy and birth and did not eat her babies. 15 Best Pet Freshwater Fish For Beginners. First of all, dont be too hard on yourself. In general, the color of Abyssinian guinea pigs is associated with congenital eye defects and digestive problems. Piglet Okay, so it's not that clever. Regarding animal parents, there is no greater love than that of a mother for her young. Baby guinea pigs are called pups just like baby dogs. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. 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. But if you have a tiny little guinea pig with a noteworthy squeak, this name is pretty darn adorable. However, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their young at all because guinea pigs are herbivores. 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. How long does it take for guinea pigs to be born? Newborn Guinea Pig Babies 10 Minutes Old! - YouTube A pregnant guinea pig requires a lot of extra nutrition. This can happen if the guinea pig is not being fed enough timothy hay, pellets, vitamin C supplements, etc. Some say that they do not form the same type of attachment as other animals, while others believe that they do experience a certain level of sadness after their young have been weaned. In captivity, they cannot run away, which increases the stress. This can harm the guinea pigs health, as they may become stressed or depressed. 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 where they learn how to bond and behave in a herd. During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: This was one question that had me really worried. Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. 4. Under normal circumstances, the sow will give birth and have a healthy litter of pups. Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. 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. But another remarkable thing about baby guinea pigs is just how grown up their appetites are! My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. Their compact, cylindrical bodies range from 8 to 10 inches . They use them to form social bonds and initiate mating, attract the attention of herd members over great distances, communicate sadness, and sound the alarm. Yes, guinea pigs like stuffed, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? Their paws and head are comically outsized in proportion to their body, and they already have a full coat of fur. 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. Your guinea pig can definitely use more interplay with the loss of its buddy. This is for several reasons: You should find this post helpful: Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? Extreme Stress -. Try to provide your pet with the extra company as much as you can, even if only for a short period of time. Common diseases in domestic guinea pigs include respiratory infections, diarrhea, itching, and boils due to infection (often the neck, throat, or external scratches). (Find Out Now). The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. Many people believe that male guinea pigs eat their babies as well. For instance, most rats eat their babies. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. When your guinea pig is pregnant they need more food than usual, and its surprisingly easy to give them less than what they need. 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. When they dont respond to her attention, she tries cleaning them more and more vigorously, until eventually she ends up damaging them. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. Guinea Pig Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? 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. Guinea pigs can eat a lot of different types of fruit. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? Yet, sometimes, guinea pigs can eat their babies. This way they can easily confuse their predator and a group of guinea pigs doing this is known as a stampede.. Not only that, but they also have a full body of fur, and even their little claws are developed. This little interaction will enable him warm to the introduction of a new cage mate better. What to Do If Your Guinea Pig Had Babies - YouTube 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. While guinea pigs are usually docile, friendly and social creatures, adult males should not be around the babies under any circumstances. This can lead to health problems. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. Baby guinea pigs are capable of digesting solid food very soon after birth (within hours). But, only serve them as an occasional treat, because the high sugar and water content can cause health problems like obesity and diarrhea. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. Sows sometimes give birth during the night. However, we always recommend having more than one guinea pig because these small animals are social creatures and they need company. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. They can impregnate mom and sisters! Housing your guinea pig is not particularly difficult, as there are a large variety of hutches and cages commercially available. No matter how cute baby guinea pigs are, one litter at a time should be plenty for most people to think about. 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. Newborn Guinea Pigs Pups Care, Feeding, Vaccines, and More - The Big Zoo However, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not this is true. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans.