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. male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies, guinea pigs can get attached to their owners. They Talk to You A.K.A. You will get a kick out of their eagerness to chase each other around and play, and maybe even start popcorning. If a baby guinea pig is orphaned, it is essential to find a surrogate mom as soon as possible. If that happens in captivity, thats extremely rare. Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. 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? 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. This is called precociality. Hold him against your chest to help him feel secure and safe. This a sound that only domesticated guinea pigs do for their adoring pet parents. On the other hand if youll be helping a sow to raise a litter of pups from birth, theres rather more to think about. How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. The act of cannibalism in guinea pigs is usually the mother trying to protect the rest of her litter from predators. Do Guinea Pigs Eat 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. While it is a hard thing to think about, it can happen. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. Baby guinea pigs feed on their mothers milk but soon they will need lots of alfalfa hay thats rich in calcium. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. Many people believe that guinea pigs get attached to their owners and that they miss their parents when they are separated. Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. You can also give them a comfortable place to sleep, like a bed or hammock. 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. Increase the protein content in your pregnant guinea pigs diet. The good news is that its unlikely for your pregnant pet to eat her offspring. Even their own children. 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. When separated from their parents, they often experience anxiety and depression. 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. Kind, K.L., Chronic maternal feed restriction impairs growth but increases adiposity of the fetal guinea pig, American Journal of Physiology, 2005. 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. If the mother is experiencing starvation , she may eat her offspring as an ultimate last resort. Individuals will be starting to show their own distinct personalities too. When you decide to introduce baby guinea pigs to an adult guinea pig, follow their behavior (monitor them for aggression) and respond quickly. The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. 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. How long do baby guinea pigs stay with Mom? My mission is to teach others useful tips and tricks about these cute creatures. 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. Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. Babies grow fast. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. This is extremely taxing on the body of the female guinea pig and dangerous to her. Keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy is an ongoing process that will require lots of dedication and effort from you. Handling them too much too soon can disrupt the bond they need with their mother in order to nurse from her, and huddle against her for warmth. 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. Once they die, she might eat them. But, if one or more of her litter is stillborn, she may eat it. They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! Do guinea pigs get in heat? Explained by Sharing Culture 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. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. Just keep your little friend with other females only. 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. Newborn Guinea Pig Babies 10 Minutes Old! - YouTube Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip Greens? The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. The name pup calls to mind baby dogs, but guinea pigs actually belong to a family of rodent species called cavies. Male baby guinea pigs have a donut-shaped genital opening in front of their anus. Also, female guinea pigs eat their young if they are overstressed and afraid because they cannot handle the situation. The guinea pig fathers dont play any role in taking care of the litter, and can do more harm than good (sorry piggie dads!). Do guinea pigs hurt their babies? - Your Wisdom Tips Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. (Find Out Now), 10 Reliable Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs (What You Need to Know), Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. Want to know more? When you do approach the a baby guinea pig, be careful to move slowly and gently. (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). 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. In general, most female guinea pigs who survives birth and delivery will and raise her litter without any issues. You can certainly handle a little, because it wont make their mother reject them. This is a question that has long been debated when it comes to guinea pigs. Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. Guinea pigs mature quickly and will begin to nibble the hay, pellets and veggies fed to their mother within 24 hours. It's particularly common when introducing new guinea pigs for the first time. Likely she has forgotten all about them, and is instead planning to to escape and start her next litter. Your guinea pig will be frustrated if their youngsters are upset or stressed. Why would a pet guinea pig eat its own babies? So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? 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. The best thing you can do is provide adequate and proper nutrition to the new guinea pig mother. There is a chance that your sow will only partially eat her offspring, particularly if she killed them by accident. They have small bodies and big eyes. the babies are doing so well and are so healthy.#guineapig #babies #cuteSong: Sapphe. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. Use the tips in this post to understand why piggies eat their babies and to prevent it from happening. Guinea pigs dont hibernate, but they will slow down their metabolism and activity in order to stay warm, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Hibernate? Lets take a closer look at this exciting topic. Guinea pig babies can walk, see, and hear, as soon as they are born, and most start nibbling on solid foods within a few days. Although its very uncommon, there is still a possibility that a mother guinea pig will engage in filial cannibalism. This usually happens when pups are stillborn, or born to ill to survive. As noted above; Guinea Pigs are highly vocal and use their voice to express their personality. Filial cannibalism is when animals eat their own offspring. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesn't recognize them as his own offspring. Breeding and reproduction of Guinea pigs All other pets Merck veterinary manual. You have entered an incorrect email address! These colorful, chore charts will help you keep track of when to feed your fuzz butts, clean their cages, and much more. Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when kept in pairs or groups. A male guinea pig might seriously injure his babies because he is territorial and feels intimidated. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. 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. Baby guinea pigs are called pups just like baby dogs. Guinea pigs are tailless rodents that weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs. Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. 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. Provide a pregnant guinea pig with extra food, water, and nutrients. We found the following cage on Amazon that worked really well. i am so excited!!! 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. Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? Theres no fixed moment when a guinea pig stops being a pup and becomes an adult. Guinea pig pregnancy seems short to us, but in fact it lasts a remarkably long time for their size. While it might not be anything to worry about, sometimes it can be a sign of sickness. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors. We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mamas food within a few days of birth. This is a question that many guinea pig owners have. Its understandable to feel that way. Most species clean their offspring with their tongue and so do your little friends. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. (Find Out Now)Continue. (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. Do guinea pigs remember their parents? Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? (Fun Facts) - Own Your Pet 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. They look a little bit awkward as they begin to move around. (n.d.). Just like with taming older guinea pigs be patient and consistent. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. If her diet doesnt contain enough vital vitamins and nutrients, she can still be malnourished whilst receiving enough calories to maintain her body weight. Guinea pigs are not only kept as family pets, but like dogs, cats and rabbits, they are also bred for show. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. They will understand. Wanna Give Your Piggies the 5 STAR Treatment? The importance of understanding whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies cannot be overstated. Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. It was fascinating to watch our new mom clean up after her newborn baby guinea pigs. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). Guinea pigs diet rests on grasses, herbs, hay, and raw fruits and vegetables. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. https://amzn.to/3iYcPHPAs well as the new Pigg. Once labor is established, all the pups usually arrive within half an hour. Remember to remove any they leave, as it will spoil quickly. You can find a mentor by asking your local cavy club to put you in touch with suitable experienced breeders. Guinea pigs can be aggressive towards each other if they are not adequately trained. Its unwise to create more. No matter how cute baby guinea pigs are, one litter at a time should be plenty for most people to think about. Guinea pigs eating babies is a rare but possible occurrence. Its natural for you and me to humanize the behavior of animals. Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. A mother guinea pig needs to clean the babies and eat the afterbirth to chemically generate the mammary glands to start producing milk. These small pets need a lot of food and nutrition. If possible, you should be present during the birth to provide support and comfort to the mother. Although they spring out with open eyes and fully furred, piggie pups are still small and fragile at first. And if you push very gently, the penis might appear. This can be startling and upsetting. So, consider getting a cage large enough for them to play around. Although they are able to conceive year-round, springtime is the peak window for baby guineas appearing on the scene. It is perfectly fine to handle your new guinea pigs within the first week. The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. Owning Guinea Pigs | VCA Animal Hospital After your guinea pig has given birth, shell clean up the evidence left behind to stop predators from tracking down their scent. ), Guinea pigs can suffer from running lice. I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. [9] They will still need to nurse, though, for three weeks before they are ready to be removed from their mother. Well be discussing more about this in todays article. Between then and reaching their full adult weight several months later, you might hear them being described as juniors. However, some people have asked whether or not guinea pigs miss their babies after they have been separated. Yes, female guinea pigs do nurse their young for a few weeks after birth. How Do Guinea Pigs Reproduce? (Breeding, Complications & More) Although guinea pigs need the presence of other guinea pigs, attention from human beings is also essential for their well-being. They might surprise you with how busy and outgoing they are too. You need to be able to provide your guinea pigs with regular ample attention all the time. You cannot do any harm by touching your adult guinea pig or its babies. Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? They reach their adult size very quickly. Guinea pigs may miss their parents, but more research must confirm this. Yes, guinea pigs do eat their babies. It is essential for guinea pigs to have social contact with other guinea pigs. In most cases, guinea pigs won't miss you if you decide to leave them in the home instead of taking them with you for camping. The mother may eat her babies if one or more of her litter dies, or she is under a lot of stress. 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach Or Is It Bad For Them? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Stop getting dirty looks from your piggies, because you forgot to do something for themAGAIN. Make sure any seller houses male and female guinea pigs separately, or there could be a chance you'll take home a pregnant female. It can therefore be tempting to pick up and cuddle the little babies right away! However, we always recommend having more than one guinea pig because these small animals are social creatures and they need company. The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn babies.