Guinea pig pregnancies are dangerous and the mortality rate is high both among guinea pig mothers and babies. By giving them enough time with their mother, you reduce the risk that she will reject them. It was fascinating to watch our new mom clean up after her newborn baby guinea pigs. So, I took some time to do some research on it for you. Many living creatures eat other members of their species when necessary for survival. 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. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. (2010, July 22). You can take some precautions to lower the risk of a guinea pig baby being eaten. Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. Six or seven weeks old is the age at which most breeders will let their pups go to their new homes. They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? [The Surprising Truth] (2014, March 28). An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies. She checked each one of them and licked them clean immediately following their birth. Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. All rights reserved. During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: Malnourished - not getting enough to eat of the right kinds of food Back to back pregnancies - due to nutrient deficiencies This was one question that had me really worried. This can be startling and upsetting. As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. (What Owners Need To Know), What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? A mix of alfalfa and timothy hay could keep the mother full and prevent this from happening. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. That is a common myth and is not true. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. By six weeks of age baby guinea pigs are self-sufficient and fully weaned. This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs. The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. 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. When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. These small pets need a lot of food and nutrition. 11811 Shaker Blvd, #204, PMB 289Cleveland, Ohio 44120(216) 912-6291. Wiki User 2008-10-08 02:35:56 This. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. Yes, guinea pigs do mourn. Your guinea pig can definitely use more interplay with the loss of its buddy. Well be discussing more about this in todays article. If separated from their parents, they may become anxious and depressed. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. 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. Yes, guinea pigs miss their owners. So, if youve been wanting to know if guinea pigs usually miss their owners, we hope you have the answer now. Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. Some guinea pigs are more likely to nuzzle or groom people or other guinea pigs. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. 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. (Such as blood and remaining body parts). Their paws and head are comically outsized in proportion to their body, and they already have a full coat of fur. 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. "Wheek" City. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. Why would a pet guinea pig eat its own babies? But if you have a tiny little guinea pig with a noteworthy squeak, this name is pretty darn adorable. Well, your guess is as good as mine guinea pigs sure miss their owners when theyre absent for so long. To understand why a guinea pig mother killing and gobbling up her offspring is so rare and why its still a possibility (although it is a long shot), you need to know a little bit about the dynamics of. They Talk to You A.K.A. 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. It may take some time for him to become comfortable with you. It is important to note that guinea pigs can get attached to their owners and may experience signs of separation anxiety when they are not around. 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. (What You Need To Know)Continue. So as long as the enclosure is secure and the bars are tight, you should be fine. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. 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. There are different ways you can give your guinea pigs attention, and one of them is a good, old-fashioned daily petting session. Donnelly, T. M. and Brown, C. J., Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Care and Husbandry, Veterinary Clinics Exotic Animal Practice, 2004. Breeding and Reproduction of Guinea Pigs - All Other Pets - Merck The same goes for males. Baby guinea pigs are called pups. After your guinea pig has given birth, shell clean up the evidence left behind to stop predators from tracking down their scent. 10. (Find Out Now). 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. Guinea Pig Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? When you pick them up secure one hand beneath the stomach and one under the bottom and hold close to your chest. Other causes of hair loss due to underlying medical conditions such as ovarian cysts may occur as a result of hormonal distress. All of the babies are usually born within 30 minutes once labor begins. [9] They will still need to nurse, though, for three weeks before they are ready to be removed from their mother. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. A female guinea pig usually wont eat a baby guinea pig deliberately. We used fleece bedding which we spot cleaned throughout the day by removing poop and leftover food. You can find a mentor by asking your local cavy club to put you in touch with suitable experienced breeders. 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. Piglet Okay, so it's not that clever. Baby guinea pigs for adoption are usually a little cheaper than guinea pigs for sale, and often come with a clean bill of health from a vet. Feed the guinea pig pups for the first 5 days around the clock every 4 to 5 hours. When you decide to introduce baby guinea pigs to an adult guinea pig, follow their behavior (monitor them for aggression) and respond quickly. New babies are born with teeth, claws, and fur. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? Even though they share similar names, guinea pigs do not belong to either the dog or pig family. 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. Place the cage in a quiet, draft-free area your home that is out of direct sunlight. Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. But, when a pet parent has makes an intentional choice to breed, its really not worth the risk in most cases. (And yes, its one of the more gruesome animal interactions in the wild.). We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. 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. Why Guinea Pigs Are Less Likely To Eat Their Babies? However, too much calcium is dangerous for an adult guinea pig. ), Guinea pigs can suffer from running lice. But, can guinea pigs eat them? That way she doesnt have to deal with the stress of more pregnancies. 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. This page is stuffed full of information about how to care for your baby guinea pig. You can do a few things to help your guinea pig cope when youre not around. 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. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. Within twenty-four hours they can start to eat grass, produce, hay, and pellet feed just like adults. Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common.A female can give birth to up to 5 litters per year. The mother may eat her babies if one or more of her litter dies, or she is under a lot of stress. Your Baby Guinea Pig - What To Expect And How To Look After Them A healthy pup will resist and move away from the mother, alerting her of her mistake. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. We will help you to raise your baby guinea pigs to become healthy, happy pets. 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. The good news is that its unlikely for your pregnant pet to eat her offspring. For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. We know that guinea pigs typically stay with their baby for about three weeks. However, some people have asked whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies after they have been separated. Try to provide your pet with the extra company as much as you can, even if only for a short period of time. However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. Guinea Pigs May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming. Do mother guinea pigs miss their babies when they are given away? Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat their babies. We hope you found this article helpful about what to expect when expecting newborn baby guinea pigs! Bear in mind this doesnt necessarily mean she is dangerously thin. Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. Baby guinea pigs typically stay with their mother for about three weeks, but this can vary depending on the situation. But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? A female needs to give birth for the first time before the age of 7 months. In some cases, guinea pigs may lick or try to groom you as a sign of affection. Weaning age depends on several factors including the pups weight, the mothers milk supply, and the number of siblings. This is where they learn how to bond and behave in a herd. It is okay for you to handle the pups during the nursing period. Although piggies are so cute, you cant always be there to have a staring contest with them. (2020, May 5). Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140328-sloth-bear-zoo-infanticide-chimps-bonobos-animals, Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy: The Stages of Pregnancy. Alternatively, you can contact local small animal shelters and ask if they have any baby guinea pigs for adoption. And the result is that guinea pig babies are born already more mature than many other species. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. It is rare, but it does happen. Sometimes, male Guinea pigs will eat pups if they were fathered by another cavy. Guinea pigs can be aggressive towards each other if they are not adequately trained. Explain to them that they have not been replaced or that their babies have replaced your guinea pig. Just like big farmyard pigs! Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. New Plymouth Vet Group. Most guinea pigs cages are designed for adult guinea pigs with a one inch space between the bars. 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. 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. Why Do Guinea Pigs Whine (Is It Normal, What It Means) A pregnant guinea pig requires a lot of extra nutrition. And of course, when you run a finger over the area, you wont feel a penis! Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. How Do Guinea Pigs Reproduce? (Breeding, Complications & More) (Fun Facts). (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). (n.d.). When a guinea pig is malnourished, it means that the guinea pig is not getting enough of the vitamins and nutrients that its body needs. But, stick with me. Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. 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. Guinea Pig Animal Facts | Cavia porcellus - AZ Animals If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. Do Guinea Pigs Nurse Their Young? This Is What You Should Know! As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. At first your guinea pig baby may seem afraid when you pick him up. 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. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by my readers, but it doesn't cost you anything at all. Here you'll find the juicy goods to care for your little friends WITHOUT making your brain short-circuit. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. Some guinea pig moms have their maternity care kicked in as they give birth while others take some time . Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. This way they can easily confuse their predator and a group of guinea pigs doing this is known as a stampede.. In captivity, they cannot run away, which increases the stress. He may also help to nurse the babies. 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. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. Additionally, when her babies are born she may eat them in order to prevent them from taking up the little space she has. (Find Out Now), Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? 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 . 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. 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. Since their gestation lasts just 59-73 days, a female guinea pig is capable in theory of bearing five or even six litters a year. Its unwise to create more. Show some tender feelings towards your guinea pig. Always consult your vet if you think a baby guinea pig overly small, or failing to thrive. If the litter is too large, the mama . 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. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? Baby guinea pigs are called pups just like baby dogs. 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). Guinea pigs and other rodents do not eat their babies because they are hungry. 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. Babies grow fast. 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. For guinea pigs to reproduce, a male guinea pig needs to fertilize the female. This is pretty rare. 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. Following delivery, your guinea pig mama will be exhausted and hungry. Continue to give milk to puppies for 21 days even when they start eating solid food. Guinea pigs have a good sense of hearing, so they will potentially even be able to hear you coming from down the hall. And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. 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. For instance, most rats eat their babies. 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. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? (The Surprising Truth)

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