For instance, most rats eat their babies. 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. Although guinea pigs occasionally sneeze, frequent sneezing is a sign of pneumonia, especially in response to climate change. (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. However, taking some precautions can bring you peace of mind that your sow wont need to eat her babies. When a guinea pig mom is caring for her babies, she teaches them the necessary skills they need to survive in the world. When the pregnant guinea pig is about to give birth, the male guinea pig must be separated from her because, within 12 hours after giving birth, she can become pregnant again. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. Place one hand under their tummy and one behind their bottom, and hold the little guy close to you. (n.d.). They will begin to wriggle and move about as soon as theyve been licked clean by their mom. Many living creatures eat other members of their species when necessary for survival. When you touch them be soft and gentle. Briscoe, T.A., et al, Cardiovascular and renal disease in the adolescent guinea pig after chronic placental insufficiency, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2004. Individuals will be starting to show their own distinct personalities too. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. How do you tell if a baby guinea pig is a boy or girl? Sometimes it happens accidentally. How long before you can handle baby guinea pigs? How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. They will nurse every two hours for the first three weeks. Even their own children. If this happens, you should immediately remove the dead babies and dispose of them appropriately. 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. It's particularly common when introducing new guinea pigs for the first time. They need supervised time out of their cages each day to run around and exercise. 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. Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. You can take some precautions to lower the risk of a guinea pig baby being eaten. 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. 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. The earlier and more regularly you handle them, the more likely they are to accept you. Just being near their most preferred people can give guinea pigs a lot of comfort. How Few Is Too Few? It is also quite normal for baby guinea pigs to whine when approached by a much bigger and older guinea pig. So, pet parents should be cautious and prepared when dealing with pregnant sows. But, stick with me. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. 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. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the water bottle at least once per week. Explain to them that they have not been replaced or that their babies have replaced your guinea pig. Clements, M. and Kelly, J. Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Eat Their Young? If your sow has eaten her own babies, you may want to consider changing her living conditions. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. 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. The act of cannibalism in guinea pigs is usually the mother trying to protect the rest of her litter from predators. But many experts recommend that pups be weaned as late as 6 weeks. Many others survive but have problems.Additionally, theres thousands (if not tens of thousands) of piggies without good homes now. Guinea pigs need fresh water daily. Once the baby guinea pigs turn 3 to 4 weeks, separate them from their mother, especially male guinea pigs. See Also: Care Show details A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. (Find Out Now), 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know), Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? Baby guinea pigs are much smaller than their parents, so they can escape from the cage. 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. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. This can hurt their health and well-being. However, you shouldnt touch the babies right after they are born. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. If that happens in captivity, its a rare exception. Guinea pigs form close bonds with their families and can be very attached to their parents. (Find Out Now), Filial Cannibalism (and 7 Reasons Why Some Animal Moms Dine On Their Babies). So it is not good practice by caring breeders. No matter how cute baby guinea pigs are, one litter at a time should be plenty for most people to think about. The first twenty four hours are when the babies are at greatest risk for being eaten, so remain close during this period. The babies shouldn't be separated from their mothers for at least a month. Whats your experience with newborn baby guinea pigs? Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. 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. Do guinea pigs get attached to their babies? Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. For instance, a guinea pig that was captured individually needs at least one other guinea pig as a cage mate. But usually, mom will begin to discourage her babies from nursing at about the 3rd week. Yes, female guinea pigs do nurse their young for a few weeks after birth. 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. If one or two guinea pig pups suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten, especially if its been more than twenty four hours. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? This is pretty rare. How do I know when my guinea pig is ready to give birth? They can impregnate mom and sisters! 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. If The Male Doesn't Believe the Babies Are His. 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. Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. Secondly, even an experienced guinea pig mom might resort to eating her young if she is severely malnourished. [9] They will still need to nurse, though, for three weeks before they are ready to be removed from their mother. If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. Preview / Show more . How Can You Prevent Your Guinea Pig from Eating Its Young? Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. If possible, you should be present during the birth to provide support and comfort to the mother. Or at least make it a less dangerous one, for you, the guinea pig mother, and the baby piggies. https://www.npvet.co.nz/pets/animal-info-pets/bird-rabbit-turtle-articles/care-pregnant-guinea-pigs/, Guinea lynx :: Reproduction. 4. Additionally, when her babies are born she may eat them in order to prevent them from taking up the little space she has. Baby guinea pigs are called pups just like baby dogs. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. They are basically saying . They are not cannibalistic because they are starving. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesnt recognize them as his own offspring. Guinea Pigs May Lick as a Sign of Affection or Grooming. Just like big farmyard pigs! Do not over-handle the mother or you could cause her stress which will lead . At three weeks of age it was still hard for us to tell the difference between the males and females. 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. Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. But, when a pet parent has makes an intentional choice to breed, its really not worth the risk in most cases. If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. But, can guinea pigs eat them? The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? 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. (Fun Facts). This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. Here are some of our top baby guinea pig name lists to help you feel inspired! Keep the male guinea pig separate from his female partner to keep her safe and reduce the stress. They are cheerful and love to run around, squeak, eat, play, and poop. Make sure she always has enough food. This is where they learn how to bond and behave in a herd.