She is more likely to eat her babies as she can confuse the placenta and the babies. All rights reserved. Guinea pigs can eat a lot of different types of fruit. Change the water daily. 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. Ask your vet for advice if this isnt the case. Firstly, please provide them with plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Kill Their Young? The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. If that happens in captivity, thats extremely rare. Guinea pig babies are born looking like mini versions of their mama. This is one of the biggest reasons why a sow will engage in filial cannibalism. The male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies is important because he helps keep them warm and protects them from predators. Baby guinea pigs are capable of digesting solid food very soon after birth (within hours). Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/breeding-and-reproduction-of-guinea-pigs, Care of pregnant Guinea pigs. A male guinea pig eats the babies only by a strange occurrence. At the end of the day we removed the fleece bedding, washed it and replaced it with a fresh fleece liner. Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. Clements, M. and Kelly, J. 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. It was fascinating to watch our new mom clean up after her newborn baby guinea pigs. This can lead to health problems. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. If your sow has eaten her own babies, you may want to consider changing her living conditions. Try to provide your pet with the extra company as much as you can, even if only for a short period of time. A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. How do I know when my guinea pig is ready to give birth? They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. Keep in mind that guinea pigs are not the best choice to raise other female guinea pigs babies. If a typical guinea pig male suspects that the babies are not his own (whether or not this is the case in reality), he may kill and eat them. If guinea, Read More What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. Some guinea pig moms have their maternity care kicked in as they give birth while others take some time . https://amzn.to/3iYcPHPAs well as the new Pigg. Although they are capable of eating almost immediately, baby guineas do still need to nurse and they will seek milk about every two hours. Ive wondered it myself. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. Besides, always separate baby guinea pigs from male guinea pigs. 9. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. And that means that in a mixed litter of boys and girls, its time for the boys to be relocated to a new home, to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Like babies of all species, cute baby guinea pigs are tiny and winsome. It will also well as putting her at risk for developing diseases like toxaemia. And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. Make sure to separate your male guinea pigs from females in their litter too. You have entered an incorrect email address! Many people believe that guinea pigs get attached to their owners and that they miss their parents when they are separated. The larger the litter, the smaller the pups will likely be. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. Watch this video to learn more about guinea pig. 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. To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. Lets take a closer look at this exciting topic. This is pretty rare. Watch after your guinea pig while she gives birth. Guinea pigs are peaceful creatures. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. Feed the guinea pig pups for the first 5 days around the clock every 4 to 5 hours. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. If you are considering getting a guinea pig, ensure you can provide them with the social interaction they need. 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. (2010, July 22). 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. If this happens, pop them back in with her, and visit again later. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. She needs more food and more nutrients to prepare her for the process of giving birth and nursing her babies. Normally, they could be 3-6 inches long. 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. 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. You can also ask your vet for advice and support. Guinea pigs eat their babies not because they want to kill them for food but for other reasons. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. However, new guinea pig owners should be prepared for a long-term commitment. During pregnancy your sow will need lots of energy and vitamin C, so make sure her hay doesnt run out, and offer a larger helping of fresh fruit and veg every day. This can hurt their health and well-being. How To Prevent a New Mother from Eating Her Babies? Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. They might surprise you with how busy and outgoing they are too. Baby guinea pigs are able to digest solid food soon after birth; however, the majority of their required nutrients will come from their mothers milk. There is a chance that your sow will only partially eat her offspring, particularly if she killed them by accident. Guinea pigs form close bonds with their families and can be very attached to their parents. Giving birth is very stressful for guinea pigs and the mortality rate of pregnant guinea pigs is quite high due to complications that occur during the delivery process. You should increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables given daily and also consider pet-friendly supplements. (2014, March 28). The larger the litter, the smaller the pups (as a general rule), so ideally you wouldn't want too many pups born at once. However, they can seriously injure them when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. They Talk to You A.K.A. Let's hear it for the boys. When you pick them up secure one hand beneath the stomach and one under the bottom and hold close to your chest. Over the next 2 weeks, decrease the feeding time gradually. Make sure to feed your guinea pig hay of high quality. Guinea pigs are tailless rodents that weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs. In almost all species, males are inherently territorial. This is especially important in guinea pigs, as they are highly social animals. When your guinea pig is pregnant they need more food than usual, and its surprisingly easy to give them less than what they need. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. Theyre filled with Vitamin C and other essential nutrients that guinea pigs need. Equally, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their babies because they dont eat meat. Orphans should be fed by an eyedropper or pet nurse within the first 12 to 24 hours of life. Here are some reasons why animals eat their offspring. Explain to them that they have not been replaced or that their babies have replaced your guinea pig. 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. However, we always recommend having more than one guinea pig because these small animals are social creatures and they need company. 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. You can take some precautions to lower the risk of a guinea pig baby being eaten. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. After your guinea pig has given birth, shell clean up the evidence left behind to stop predators from tracking down their scent. When they dont respond to her attention, she tries cleaning them more and more vigorously, until eventually she ends up damaging them. Bear in mind this doesnt necessarily mean she is dangerously thin. You can find a mentor by asking your local cavy club to put you in touch with suitable experienced breeders. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. At six weeks old baby guineas pigs are fully weaned, and have stopped nursing from their mother. How Can I Prevent Guinea Pigs From Eating Their Babies? We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that we could position it low enough for the babies to reach it. You need to make the entire environment guinea pig-friendly. Guinea pigs are fragile animals at any age but especially during their early days of life. All of the babies are usually born within 30 minutes once labor begins. Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. When you touch them be soft and gentle. Always consult your vet if you think a baby guinea pig overly small, or failing to thrive. Guinea pigs cannot survive alone. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. It is famously difficult to sex baby rodents, so the easiest way to be sure which of your pups are girls and which are boys is to ask a more experienced mentor, or a vet, to help you. 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. The average lifespan of the guinea pig is four or five years, but it can live much longer. We used fleece bedding which we spot cleaned throughout the day by removing poop and leftover food. This is a question that has long been debated when it comes to guinea pigs. So, pet parents should be cautious and prepared when dealing with pregnant sows. Additionally, when her babies are born she may eat them in order to prevent them from taking up the little space she has. (Fun Facts). 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. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. If it does occur, the reasons will probably differ slightly from that of other species, and its important to understand these reasons in order to try to prevent it from happening: Most female guinea pigs will never eat their live young on purpose. This is called precociality. Garner-Richardson, V., Guinea Pig Nutrition, The Veterinary Nurse, 2013. Hold your guinea pig securely and gently turn him / her over. Male guinea pigs are more likely to harm their babies but they shouldnt eat them. But recognising the biological reasons why it occurs makes it easier to avoid. Not only that, but they also have a full body of fur, and even their little claws are developed. Domestic guinea pigs originated in South America but today these vocal, sociable creatures thrive in households across the globe. Where can I find baby guinea pigs for sale? And if you push very gently, the penis might appear. 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. Guinea pigs make the best mothers and give puppies the best chance of survival. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. 10. At three weeks of age it was still hard for us to tell the difference between the males and females. You just have to note that bringing mature guinea pigs together can sometimes be difficult, even if it is done in a slow and measured manner. Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. Many living creatures eat other members of their species when necessary for survival. Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. This can be very misleading especially when it comes to motherhood as many animals eat their offspring in certain circumstances. This was the most surprising thing to me! 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. Male baby guinea pigs have a donut-shaped genital opening in front of their anus. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. 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. 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. 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 . How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter? When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. But most people think of it as being around four weeks old, when they reach sexual maturity. Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. Although they are able to conceive year-round, springtime is the peak window for baby guineas appearing on the scene. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesnt recognize them as his own offspring. (Find Out Now). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by my readers, but it doesn't cost you anything at all. If she is pregnant, her chances of suffering from some illness will also increase, which will tempt her to eat a lot. Plus, good breeders and rescues tend to handle their guinea pigs regularly, which helps to keep them tame. New Plymouth Vet Group. This should reduce their spatial and jealous tendency. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. How Few Is Too Few? If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . How Can You Prevent Your Guinea Pig from Eating Its Young? Many time, the pup gets killed accidentally and the mother eats it because she has a survival instinct. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. Piglet Okay, so it's not that clever. 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 . If this happens, you should immediately remove the dead babies and dispose of them appropriately. Guinea Pigs May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming. This little interaction will enable him warm to the introduction of a new cage mate better. 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. 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. Mange worms (Trichocross cavia) are a common cause of hair loss, and other symptoms may include excessive scratching, abnormal aggression when being touched, and, in some cases, seizures. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. Guinea pigs don't wheek in the wild. Baby guinea pigs are called pups. However, you should err on the side of caution. An inexperienced sow might accidentally damage her young with her teeth whilst trying to clean them up after the birth. This can harm the guinea pigs health, as they may become stressed or depressed. 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. So, its possible for their mother (especially if shes inexperienced with babies) to kill them with too much force. (Fun Facts). It is fine to carefully handle your new guinea pig pups during their first week, but be sure to allow them plenty of time with their mother as well. Signs of Guinea pig loneliness, depression, and boredom include hair chewing, hiding, refusing to be handled, and general irritability. (What Owners Need To Know), What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Bartesaghi, R., Severi, S., Effects of early environment on field CA2 pyramidal neurons in the guinea-pig, Neuroscience, 2004. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. Giving birth is very stressful for the guinea pig mother and the babies. Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape the enclosure? Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. Any guinea pig lover would approve. By their second week, you wont be able to miss how much your baby guinea pigs have grown already. Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig. Keep the male guinea pig separate from his female partner to keep her safe and reduce the stress. A mother guinea pig can eat her babies if one of the babies is born dead. This way, your guinea pig will not feel the need for extra nutrition. Filial cannibalism is when animals eat their own offspring. Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. This is why you should do everything in your power to make your female piggy feel at ease. It's often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. Sufficient nutrition, a mixture of alfalfa and timothy grass, keeps female guinea pigs hydrated and can prevent guinea pigs from eating their babies. 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, she had an uneventful pregnancy and birth and did not eat her babies. Before making this assumption, consider the following possibilities: Unfortunately, the evidence of your sow eating her babies might be obvious. Extreme Stress -. 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. A particular substance comes from the eyes of a guinea pig; they rub it on their hair when they are grooming. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . If the mother is experiencing starvation , she may eat her offspring as an ultimate last resort. More research must be conducted to determine whether or not guinea pigs truly miss their babies when they are apart. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. Between then and reaching their full adult weight several months later, you might hear them being described as juniors. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. Although pet guinea pigs eating their pups is a very rare incident, it does happen sometimes. Wiki User 2008-10-08 02:35:56 This. mypetguineapig.com may be compensated when users click on links and sign-up with their associated offers located in content or anywhere else on the page. This is an essential process as it helps to ensure that the young guinea pigs can develop properly. 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. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. Pneumonia can occur with torticollis and can be fatal. Here are some of our top baby guinea pig name lists to help you feel inspired! Significantly, this is the age when pups will start to reach sexual maturity. You will get a kick out of their eagerness to chase each other around and play, and maybe even start popcorning. Guinea pigs eating babies is a rare but possible occurrence. What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Eats (Or Kills) Her Babies? Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. New guinea pig breeds are formalised by the American Cavy Breeders Association, who also oversee breed standards and competitions in the United States. And the result is that guinea pig babies are born already more mature than many other species. When you do approach the a baby guinea pig, be careful to move slowly and gently. (What You Need To Know), Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? However, too much calcium is dangerous for an adult guinea pig. They will understand. If you keep a male guinea pig with the mother and babies, introduce them slowly, so there is no aggression between the two adults. Make sure theres always enough food in your pregnant guinea pigs bowl. Keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy is an ongoing process that will require lots of dedication and effort from you. And within a few hours nursing should be established. During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: This was one question that had me really worried. Make sure any seller houses male and female guinea pigs separately, or there could be a chance you'll take home a pregnant female. This is a question that many guinea pig owners have. This is necessary to prevent pregnancy. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Well be discussing more about this in todays article. 4. Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? As you find a toy for your little fur baby, you might be asking, do guinea pigs like stuffed animals? Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. 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. While guinea pigs are usually docile, friendly and social creatures, adult males should not be around the babies under any circumstances.