Want to know more? Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. (Find Out Now). 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. Guinea pigs are not capable of "missing". Many people believe that guinea pigs get attached to their owners and that they miss their parents when they are separated. You can find a mentor by asking your local cavy club to put you in touch with suitable experienced breeders. Your guinea pig wont eat its babies if you touch them. 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. Can Rabbits Eat Grapes Pros And Cons of Grapes For Rabbits. As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. 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. 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. 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. We found the following cage on Amazon that worked really well. Clements, M. and Kelly, J. Babies grow fast. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. 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. Sometimes it happens accidentally. Wanna read something more boring than watching paint dry? Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. At those moments, the guinea pig mother can be very protective and you can be mistaken for a potential predator. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies if You Touch Them? If you bring home your baby guinea pig at seven weeks old, youll find all the information you need to raise them in our guide to guinea pigs as pets. They need it in unlimited amounts, as it helps them keep their teeth trimmed and ensures the proper functioning of their sensitive digestive system. However, we always recommend having more than one guinea pig because these small animals are social creatures and they need company. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. The standard litter can range from one to six little pups, with an avg. In the next section weve assembled some of the most commonly asked questions our readers have about their baby guinea pigs. Squeaks, Scales and Tails is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC an affiliate advertising program. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesnt recognize them as his own offspring. 11. As they grow, baby guinea pigs will require extra calcium to help their bones develop properly. In captivity, they cannot run away, which increases the stress. By six weeks of age baby guinea pigs are self-sufficient and fully weaned. The best items to put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage are absorbent,, Read More 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know)Continue, Pet parents who consider housing their guinea pigs outside often wonder whether or not their pet guinea pigs can hibernate. However, too much calcium is dangerous for an adult guinea pig. 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. Watch after your guinea pig while she gives birth. Many others survive but have problems.Additionally, theres thousands (if not tens of thousands) of piggies without good homes now. If you are unsure, it is best to consult with a veterinarian to help determine the sex of the pups. Three weeks marks the earliest point at which pups may stop nursing from their mother. When they dont respond to her attention, she tries cleaning them more and more vigorously, until eventually she ends up damaging them. Its normal to be upset and sad. (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. Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape the enclosure? Simon or George More classic goodies. One reason why a guinea pig mother might eat one of her pups is that she is extremely malnourished. You don't have to be a professional breeder . Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . No. Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? How To Prevent a New Mother from Eating Her Babies? Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. Guinea Pigs do best when living with at least one similar companion, and pets that live without another Guinea pig sometimes become lonely and depressed. 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. Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. 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 . This way, your guinea pig will not feel the need for extra nutrition. They need to stay with their mother guinea pigs and suck their milk, but they will quickly become active. They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. 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 same goes for males. However, separate male guinea pig babies from their mothers when they turn about two months old. 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. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies. Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. (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). If the mother is experiencing starvation , she may eat her offspring as an ultimate last resort. The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. This is for several reasons: You should find this post helpful: Can A Father Guinea Pig Be With The Babies? (What You Need To Know), Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip Greens? For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. Always consult your vet if you think a baby guinea pig overly small, or failing to thrive. She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. Remember to remove any they leave, as it will spoil quickly. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. This should reduce their spatial and jealous tendency. Lets take a closer look at this exciting topic. 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. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. When you pick them up secure one hand beneath the stomach and one under the bottom and hold close to your chest. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. Besides, always separate baby guinea pigs from male guinea pigs. 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? Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. 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. Guinea pigs weigh between 700 and 1200g. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. For instance, most rats eat their babies. An inexperienced sow might accidentally damage her young with her teeth whilst trying to clean them up after the birth. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? But, fruit should only be given as an occasional treat. Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. (And How? Stress can cause guinea pigs to eat their babies, and stress-induced cannibalism is also very common in guinea pigs, and unfortunately, quite unavoidable at times.Do your best to keep them well fed and give them plenty of rest so they can stay calm. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. Ahhhh, clementines. If you are considering getting a guinea pig, ensure you can provide them with the social interaction they need. The causes are different for each species. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. 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. Aggression between two newly introduced guinea pigs is very common and If your guinea pig is finding it hard to deal with the change of a new cage mate, try engaging him in more interaction with you than ever before. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. 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. They have learned quite a few life skills from their mother and are ready to go to their new homes. The best time to breed guinea pigs is before the female turns 7 months of age. However, you should err on the side of caution. A great way to get help raising your first litter successfully, and in recognising potential problems quickly, is by enlisting the support of a mentor. Even then, they must be handled very gently. We spent some time coming up with cute guinea pig names for our babies and decided upon the following; Moose, Aspen, Moon and Finn! All of the babies are usually born within 30 minutes once labor begins. So, I took some time to do some research on it for you. Hey there, I'm Angela. Where can I find baby guinea pigs for sale? 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. This often happens when owners of female guinea pigs discover an unplanned pregnancy and arent able to care for all the babies. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. A mix of alfalfa and timothy hay could keep the mother full and prevent this from happening. Neutering is A LOT less risky for males than spaying is for females. Do Chickens Get Lonely? Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesn't recognize them as his own offspring. If that happens in captivity, its a rare exception. So, consider getting a cage large enough for them to play around. Likely she has forgotten all about them, and is instead planning to to escape and start her next litter. Its also the age of the youngest baby guinea pigs in pet stores. New Plymouth Vet Group. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. 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. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Eat Their Young? It can be difficult to tell the difference between male and female guinea pigs under three weeks of age. Just being near their most preferred people can give guinea pigs a lot of comfort. Yes, guinea pigs do eat their babies. If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. Yet, sometimes, guinea pigs can eat their babies. Walter or Bob These guinea pigs sound like they should be wearing business suits on Wall Street. A healthy pup will resist and move away from the mother, alerting her of her mistake. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. Your guinea pig will be frustrated if their youngsters are upset or stressed. 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. Lots of small animals (think rats and rabbits) have reputations for being prolific breeders. Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. You need to know if you should reduce the amount of time you spend away from your pet. It is okay for you to handle the pups during the nursing period. Thats what they do while also making your life a much brighter place. Thankfully, she had an uneventful pregnancy and birth and did not eat her babies. Its natural for you and me to humanize the behavior of animals. Guinea pigs are cute and quite intelligent pets. Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. (And yes, its one of the more gruesome animal interactions in the wild.). Guinea pigs can recognize their owners and other people they know and trust. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. How long does it take for guinea pigs to be born? Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. 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. Feed the guinea pig pups for the first 5 days around the clock every 4 to 5 hours. 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. Yes, it is okay to touch your new baby guinea pigs. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! 11811 Shaker Blvd, #204, PMB 289Cleveland, Ohio 44120(216) 912-6291. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. However, some people have asked whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies after they have been separated. Show some tender feelings towards your guinea pig. See Also: Care Show details 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. These small pets need a lot of food and nutrition. Some guinea pig moms have their maternity care kicked in as they give birth while others take some time . Guinea Pig Lifespan How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? Although they are able to conceive year-round, springtime is the peak window for baby guineas appearing on the scene. Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame. 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. However, they can seriously injure them when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. Rather, they belong to a rodent species called cavies. Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. While it is a hard thing to think about, it can happen. Although piggies are so cute, you cant always be there to have a staring contest with them. When separated from their parents, they often experience anxiety and depression. Guinea Pigs May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming. They have small bodies and big eyes. 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. This is called precociality. Any guinea pig lover would approve. Guinea pigs are different from many other species; they are born with teeth and fur, and almost immediately they can see and walk around. Provide Your Sow with a Stress-Free Environment, Remain Vigilant During the First Twenty Four Hours, Keep The Babies With Their Mom As Much As Possible, Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? 9. You can also give them a comfortable place to sleep, like a bed or hammock. But, give them time to bond with their mother so they can nurse. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. (Find Out Now), Filial Cannibalism (and 7 Reasons Why Some Animal Moms Dine On Their Babies). i am so excited!!! Once they die, she might eat them. Allowing siblings to breed also poses a risk of dangerous congenital disorders to their offspring. They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. By giving them enough time with their mother, you reduce the risk that she will reject them. Common diseases in domestic guinea pigs include respiratory infections, diarrhea, itching, and boils due to infection (often the neck, throat, or external scratches). 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. Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. This website was inspired by our guinea pig pair, Theo and Remmy, and is our familys journey to becoming the best guinea pig parents. mypetguineapig.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. Medical Disclaimer. Their tiny mouths already manage to contain 20 teeth, which grow continuously. 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. Just like with taming older guinea pigs be patient and consistent. Female guinea pigs have a Y-shaped opening close to their anus. (n.d.). Almost the only reason why a female guinea pig can kill her babies is that she is so stressed that her mind cannot handle the strain. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. Ask your vet for advice if this isnt the case. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. A newborn guinea pig might weigh around 3.5 ounces or 100 grams. 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. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. A male guinea pig eats the babies only by a strange occurrence.