What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? Between then and reaching their full adult weight several months later, you might hear them being described as juniors. i am so excited!!! Most people find that, when it comes to guinea pigs at least, babies are the cutest. In some cases, guinea pigs may lick or try to groom you as a sign of affection. Although they spring out with open eyes and fully furred, piggie pups are still small and fragile at first. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! This website was inspired by our guinea pig pair, Theo and Remmy, and is our familys journey to becoming the best guinea pig parents. It may take some time for him to become comfortable with you. Wiki User 2008-10-08 02:35:56 This. Yet, sometimes, guinea pigs can eat their babies. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. At the end of the day we removed the fleece bedding, washed it and replaced it with a fresh fleece liner. Honestly, I dont feel like its worth the risk. Guinea Pigs make excellent pets due to their playful, social nature. There are different ways you can give your guinea pigs attention, and one of them is a good, old-fashioned daily petting session. One reason why a guinea pig mother might eat one of her pups is that she is extremely malnourished. Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over. While it is certainly possible that guinea pigs may experience separation anxiety after their babies have been taken away, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that this is the case. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? 2 3 cups mostly green, leafy vegetables, Occasional fruit too much sugar can lead to obesity. 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. Always consult your vet if you think a baby guinea pig overly small, or failing to thrive. Many others survive but have problems.Additionally, theres thousands (if not tens of thousands) of piggies without good homes now. Theres no fixed moment when a guinea pig stops being a pup and becomes an adult. Six or seven weeks old is the age at which most breeders will let their pups go to their new homes. (Find Out Now), https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, https://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140328-sloth-bear-zoo-infanticide-chimps-bonobos-animals, https://lakeshorepethospital.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Guinea_Pig_Pregnancy.pdf, Removing the male guinea pig(s) will also. At first your guinea pig baby may seem afraid when you pick him up. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. In the meantime, if you havent seen enough sweet pictures of baby guinea pigs yet, then why not visit our compilation of favorite guinea pig videos. Keep the male guinea pig separate from his female partner to keep her safe and reduce the stress. Yes, female guinea pigs do nurse their young for a few weeks after birth. Lots of small animals (think rats and rabbits) have reputations for being prolific breeders. Make sure any seller houses male and female guinea pigs separately, or there could be a chance you'll take home a pregnant female. Continue to give milk to puppies for 21 days even when they start eating solid food. However, some people have asked whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies after they have been separated. Newborn guinea pigs can open their eyes after they are born. They have small bodies and big eyes. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/i-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-i-do/, Pregnancy toxemia in Guinea pigs. Its just as important that your baby guinea pig also spends most of their time with other guinea pigs. Hey there, I'm Angela. Their paws and head are comically outsized in proportion to their body, and they already have a full coat of fur. 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. Once they die, she might eat them. Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! Or house her with a neutered male to prevent future pregnancies. When properly fed, you dont have to worry that she will eat her babies. Once the pups arrive, monitor them closely to make sure nursing is established within 12 hours. While it might not be anything to worry about, sometimes it can be a sign of sickness. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. Of course, every guinea pig is different, and some individual animals may indeed experience some sadness or loneliness after being separated from their babies if you are concerned that your guinea pig may miss its young, it. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. 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. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. Male baby guinea pigs have a donut-shaped genital opening in front of their anus. They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. But whether youre raising a litter from birth or buying an older baby guinea pig for sale, getting prepared in advance is the best way to make sure you provide them with the best start in life. This can lead to health problems. But, when a pet parent has makes an intentional choice to breed, its really not worth the risk in most cases. A pregnant guinea pig requires a lot of extra nutrition. Three weeks marks the earliest point at which pups may stop nursing from their mother. Ask your vet for advice if this isnt the case. We used fleece bedding which we spot cleaned throughout the day by removing poop and leftover food. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Male guinea pigs are more likely to harm their babies but they shouldnt eat them. Once they are one to two finger-widths apart, it wont be long untilbirth.. Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. To do this, we learned it is best to wean the males by removing them from their mom and sisters cage at three weeks and moving them to a separate cage. You have entered an incorrect email address! They might surprise you with how busy and outgoing they are too. 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 . Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. If your sow is in a very small enclosure, this could cause her unnecessary stress. The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. 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. Sometimes adults will do this with each other too. Do everything you can to fulfill the wants and needs of the pregnant female, to make her feel safe and comfortable. I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. This way, your guinea pig will not feel the need for extra nutrition. More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. As herbivores, they dont eat meat at all. Its natural for you and me to humanize the behavior of animals. Guinea pigs mature quickly and will begin to nibble the hay, pellets and veggies fed to their mother within 24 hours. I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. This is a question that has long been debated when it comes to guinea pigs. Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. 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. Home - Guinea Pigs - Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? ), Guinea pigs can suffer from running lice. Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. Whereas there are over 13 Guinea Pig breeds, English, Abyssinian, and Peruvian Guinea Pigs are the most well-liked. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. And, when it happens, it is usually an accident, not a rule, and intentional behavior. Medical Disclaimer. Yes, it is okay to touch your new baby guinea pigs. And the result is that guinea pig babies are born already more mature than many other species. The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. (Keep that food bowl appropriately full!) Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesnt recognize them as his own offspring. This will stop the mother from continuing to feed on them, and it will prevent the risk of diseases through decomposition. Guinea Pig Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? As you find a toy for your little fur baby, you might be asking, do guinea pigs like stuffed animals? Many living creatures eat other members of their species when necessary for survival. Since males can get any female guinea pig pregnant once they reach maturity - including their mothers - they're weaned and taken from their mother at three weeks old. A human can serve as a surrogate mom if there are no other guinea pigs available, but it is best if the baby can be raised by its kind. We were stressed out during this time because we did not want to have another unexpected guinea pig pregnancy. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. 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. They are cheerful and love to run around, squeak, eat, play, and poop. Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. I thought they would be born helpless and look like baby rats or hamsters with no fur and their eyes closed. Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape the enclosure? We hope youve enjoyed this in depth article about cute baby guinea pigs!Guinea pig pups are quite unlike most other baby animals. If you are just considering the idea of owning guinea pigs, ensure that you already have the capacity to take care of them and also provide them with quality interplay. Guinea pigs definitely can eat clementines. Make sure she always has enough food. (n.d.). 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. 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. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. After three weeks, the baby guinea pig can be separated from its mother and placed with other guinea pigs or its owner. (Find Out Now)Continue, Choosing the right materials to use a as a cage liner for your guinea pigs cage can seem daunting especially when youre a new pet parent. 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. 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. If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . This is a question that many guinea pig owners have. If this happens, you should immediately remove the dead babies and dispose of them appropriately. The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn babies. Guinea pig babies are called "pups" when they are born and are birthed into litters. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. It is essential for guinea pigs to have social contact with other guinea pigs. So it is not good practice by caring breeders. Newborn guinea pigs weigh only 100 grams but they grow quickly. They can impregnate mom and sisters! This is pretty rare. We hope you found this article helpful about what to expect when expecting newborn baby guinea pigs! Or at least make it a less dangerous one, for you, the guinea pig mother, and the baby piggies. They look a little bit awkward as they begin to move around. The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. If you are considering getting a guinea pig, ensure you can provide them with the social interaction they need. However, you should err on the side of caution. This is especially true if pet parents have not given their pregnant sow enough food. This blog will give you some helpful tips on how to make this a wonderful experience. When your guinea pig is pregnant they need more food than usual, and its surprisingly easy to give them less than what they need. The mother may eat her babies if one or more of her litter dies, or she is under a lot of stress. We read that the bedding needs to be changed daily. The above is important because it allows the mother to continue feeding and grooming her young. You cannot do any harm by touching your adult guinea pig or its babies. Sometimes, male Guinea pigs will eat pups if they were fathered by another cavy. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. Any guinea pig lover would approve. Simon or George More classic goodies. Wed love to hear from you in the comments below. It was fascinating to watch our new mom clean up after her newborn baby guinea pigs. When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. 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. (n.d.). They Talk to You A.K.A. Bathing them, if its something you plan to try, should wait until they are at least eight weeks old. The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. Adult guinea pigs eat timothy hay, orchard hay, or any other hay thats high in fiber. Just keep your little friend with other females only. This page is stuffed full of information about how to care for your baby guinea pig. You can find a mentor by asking your local cavy club to put you in touch with suitable experienced breeders. My mission is to teach others useful tips and tricks about these cute creatures. This is an essential process as it helps to ensure that the young guinea pigs can develop properly. You will get a kick out of their eagerness to chase each other around and play, and maybe even start popcorning. For guinea pigs to reproduce, a male guinea pig needs to fertilize the female. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. So, what is the answer? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Squeaks and Nibbles is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, Squeaks and Nibbles is also 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 causes are different for each species. The answer to this question is not entirely clear. We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. Other guinea pig owners would like to breed their piggies. The guinea pig fathers dont play any role in taking care of the litter, and can do more harm than good (sorry piggie dads!). All rights reserved. One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? If you are unsure, it is best to consult with a veterinarian to help determine the sex of the pups. But, can guinea pigs eat them? Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. So, I took some time to do some research on it for you. This can harm the guinea pigs health, as they may become stressed or depressed. The body temperature of a guinea pig is between 101104 F (3840 C), so its ideal ambient air temperature is similar to that of humans, approximately 6575 F (1824 C). Why Guinea Pigs Are Less Likely To Eat Their Babies? Guinea pigs are social animals who rely on their families for support. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the water bottle at least once per week. Even then, they must be handled very gently. 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. Bartesaghi, R., Severi, S., Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Neuroscience, 2004. 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. However, we always recommend having more than one guinea pig because these small animals are social creatures and they need company. Under normal circumstances, the sow will give birth and have a healthy litter of pups. Neutering is A LOT less risky for males than spaying is for females. However, dont keep them in the same cage for long. GuineaPigDen.com is a participant in theAmazon 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. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140328-sloth-bear-zoo-infanticide-chimps-bonobos-animals, Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy: The Stages of Pregnancy. Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. 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. Guinea pig babies are born very quickly. So, pet parents should be cautious and prepared when dealing with pregnant sows. This is just enough space to allow the guinea pigs to escape. This can hurt their health and well-being. When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? If they are isolated, they may become lonely and sad. Domestic guinea pigs originated in South America but today these vocal, sociable creatures thrive in households across the globe. Pets. Show some tender feelings towards your guinea pig. Guinea pig babies are born looking like mini versions of their mama. So, its possible for their mother (especially if shes inexperienced with babies) to kill them with too much force. First of all, dont be too hard on yourself. Baby guinea pigs are capable of digesting solid food very soon after birth (within hours). (Find Out Now). (n.d.). This may confirm why male guinea pigs eat baby guinea pigs, Guinea pigs are stressed out during placenta feeding and may eat the babies thinking its the postpartum part, They lack food and energy after their babies are born. 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. 9. The best thing you can do is provide adequate and proper nutrition to the new guinea pig mother. Do guinea pigs get attached to their owners? Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. 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. 10. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Put him back with his mother if he becomes vocal or squirmy. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. Filial cannibalism is when animals eat their own offspring. Your guinea pig wont eat its babies if you touch them. It is perfectly fine to handle your new guinea pigs within the first week. How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. Give the orphaned puppy the same amount of water and evaporated guinea pig milk. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. The same goes for males. 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?) When they grow up, male guinea pigs are called boars, and females are called sows. This usually happens when pups are stillborn, or born to ill to survive. I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. Even though they share similar names, guinea pigs do not belong to either the dog or pig family. They are basically saying . Guinea pigs may miss their parents, but more research must confirm this. 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. If you have a pregnant guinea pig, consider giving the her cage an upgrade, so she can take care of her pups comfortably. Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. Caring for a guinea pig can be challenging if you are unsure whether it is missing its baby. Its unwise to create more. 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. You might even have witnessed them start to join in with social grooming by this point. Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. Prepare to separate the male and female baby guinea pigs by at least three weeks of age. The average guinea pig litter is 2 to 4 pups. We try to conform to the same standards and expectations when it comes to animal interactions and instincts. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. When you touch them be soft and gentle. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. And make sure that the guinea pig mother is not present. Allowing siblings to breed also poses a risk of dangerous congenital disorders to their offspring. Be prepared to assess them quickly, because they wont like to be held in that position for long! This little interaction will enable him warm to the introduction of a new cage mate better. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? As they grow, baby guinea pigs will require extra calcium to help their bones develop properly. An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies. After your guinea pig has given birth, shell clean up the evidence left behind to stop predators from tracking down their scent.