Why Do Guinea Pigs Sometimes Eat Their Young? I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. Veterinarians and Animal Hospital in Pasadena, MD | Lake Shore Pet Hospital. Wed love to hear from you in the comments below. A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. They can impregnate mom and sisters! That way she doesnt have to deal with the stress of more pregnancies. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Never again hear the dreaded sounds of your guinea pigs angry squeaks because you forgot to clean out their cage or feed them on timefor the fourth day in a row. Over the next 2 weeks, decrease the feeding time gradually. We used fleece bedding which we spot cleaned throughout the day by removing poop and leftover food. Guinea pigs are social animals and may begin to experience depression-like symptoms when alone for too long. 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. Popcorning is an incredibly descriptive term to describe the frenzied bursts of energetic jumping, bumping and hopping about that guinea pigs engage in. Although, some green beans and always bring us back together. (Fun Facts). Keeping your guinea pig healthy and happy is an ongoing process that will require lots of dedication and effort from you. They are able to see, hear and move around once they are born. The sow needs this time to focus on nursing her living babies, and you need to create an environment that will allow her to do this. 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. and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? There is a chance that your sow will only partially eat her offspring, particularly if she killed them by accident. Giving birth is very stressful for the guinea pig mother and the babies. Hamsters and rats are famous for such practice. This can be very misleading especially when it comes to motherhood as many animals eat their offspring in certain circumstances. Lets explain why guinea pigs may eat their babies. Your Baby Guinea Pig What To Expect And How To Look How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom? (Fun Facts). The sow eating her pups may be starving. 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. Weaning age depends on several factors including the pups weight, the mothers milk supply, and the number of siblings. So, what is the answer? i am so excited!!! But, fruit should only be given as an occasional treat. When can baby guinea pigs be separated from their mother? If it has not happened within the first 24 hours, it is very unlikely she will attempt to do it later on. We hope you found this article helpful about what to expect when expecting newborn baby guinea pigs! Here is how to tell if your baby guinea pig is a boy or girl: RELATED: CLICK HERE for more information on how to determine the sex of a guinea pig. 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. Male baby guinea pigs have a donut-shaped genital opening in front of their anus. For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. The good news is that its unlikely for your pregnant pet to eat her offspring. An adult female guinea pig will never harm or eat newborn babies. 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. (What You Need To Know)Continue. However, they will continue to feed on their mothers milk as well. (Find Out Now). There are, Read More 7 Alarming Reasons Why Guinea Pigs DroolContinue, What fruits can guinea pigs eat? It is essential for guinea pigs to have social contact with other guinea pigs. 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. Baby guinea pigs are capable of digesting solid food very soon after birth (within hours). From the moment they are born they are unusually mature and capable of looking after themselves. For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. Why Guinea Pigs Are Less Likely To Eat Their Babies? They are not cannibalistic because they are starving. Start offering them shredded lettuce from the day their born. Sometimes it happens accidentally. He may also help to nurse the babies. Theyre filled with Vitamin C and other essential nutrients that guinea pigs need. Just keep your little friend with other females only. A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. She is then back to cuddles and snuggles. However, separate male guinea pig babies from their mothers when they turn about two months old. Guinea pigs are less likely to eat their own young than other varieties of rodents because a baby guinea pig reaches maturity quickly. One under his chest and one under his bottom. Bellinger, S. A. et al, An ecologically relevant guinea pig model of fetal behavior, Behavioral Brain Research, 2015. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUniverseReflected The all natural Piggies Choice Hay Racks are available finally! 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. Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. So, pet parents should be cautious and prepared when dealing with pregnant sows. Lets take a closer look at this exciting topic. They will understand. Squeaks, Scales and Tails is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC an affiliate advertising program. And baby guinea pigs are capable of joining in from a very young age. Explain to them that they have not been replaced or that their babies have replaced your guinea pig. For the first 2-3 weeks , they will rely on their mother for milk. Not only that, but they also have a full body of fur, and even their little claws are developed. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. Caring for a guinea pig can be challenging if you are unsure whether it is missing its baby. 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. 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. Keeping the father around is a very bad idea and adds to the stress of the female guinea pig about to deliver her litter. Female guinea pigs take care of the hardest part as much as possible. However, male guinea pigs shouldnt eat their young at all because guinea pigs are herbivores. It is okay for you to handle the pups during the nursing period. Guinea pigs are tailless rodents that weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs. Certainly not, they only remember their parents for a particular period. It's particularly common when introducing new guinea pigs for the first time. Guinea pigs are social animals who rely on their families for support. This way, your guinea pig will not feel the need for extra nutrition. I thought they would be born helpless and look like baby rats or hamsters with no fur and their eyes closed. To understand why a guinea pig mother killing and gobbling up her offspring is so rare and why its still a possibility (although it is a long shot), you need to know a little bit about the dynamics of. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Firstly, please provide them with plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied. Orphans should be fed by an eyedropper or pet nurse within the first 12 to 24 hours of life. Even then, they must be handled very gently. For instance, most rats eat their babies. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. But do all animals miss their babies as much as we do? Baby guinea pigs are called pups. This often happens when owners of female guinea pigs discover an unplanned pregnancy and arent able to care for all the babies. Merck Veterinary Manual. Make sure she always has enough food. At those moments, the guinea pig mother can be very protective and you can be mistaken for a potential predator. Some guinea pigs even put up great resistance to this. Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. If one or two guinea pig pups seem to suddenly vanish from their cage, it doesnt necessarily mean theyve been eaten. So, what do you put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage? 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. That is a common myth and is not true. "Wheek" City. The above is important because it allows the mother to continue feeding and grooming her young. Yes, guinea pigs eat their babies albeit very rarely, mostly by accident. Theyve learned all the skills they need for independence, and theyre ready to leave the nest. 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. Can the male guinea pig stay with the mother and babies? (What Owners Need To Know)Continue, If you notice drool on your guinea pigs face it can be a sign that somethings wrong. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. Guinea pigs have a good sense of hearing, so they will potentially even be able to hear you coming from down the hall. Once all the serious aspects of baby guinea pig care are in hand, you can turn your mind to more fun tasks, like picking their names. When you touch them be soft and gentle. They reach their adult size very quickly. Kind, K.L., Chronic maternal feed restriction impairs growth but increases adiposity of the fetal guinea pig, American Journal of Physiology, 2005. Weve already covered the reproductive cycle of guinea pigs and pregnancy and how to tell if a guinea pig is pregnant, so you can learn much more about these topics in our articles. Newborn guinea pigs can open their eyes after they are born. They will begin to wriggle and move about as soon as theyve been licked clean by their mom. After your guinea pig has given birth, shell clean up the evidence left behind to stop predators from tracking down their scent. Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. One of which is probably: Will your guinea pig eat her babies? Guinea pigs are not only kept as family pets, but like dogs, cats and rabbits, they are also bred for show. Increase the protein content in your pregnant guinea pigs diet. If this is the case, you obviously dont need to take these steps. (n.d.). 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. Try brushing your pets coats regularly as this can create soothing and pleasant connecting experiences. After birth, Guinea pig sows can become pregnant again within hours. (2014, March 28). 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. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long. Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. When separated from their parents, they often experience anxiety and depression. Sadly yes, guinea pig mothers do sometimes eat their newborn young. 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. 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. If your sow has eaten her own babies, you may want to consider changing her living conditions. When they dont respond to her attention, she tries cleaning them more and more vigorously, until eventually she ends up damaging them. Be quiet and move slowly around baby guinea pigs. Paying lots of brief visits to your litter with mother, and getting them used to gentle handling without worrying them are going to be a vital foundation of good socialization. To most people, guinea pigs are cute pets, and having just one will suffice. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. As they grow, baby guinea pigs will require extra calcium to help their bones develop properly. Make sure to separate your male guinea pigs from females in their litter too. Theyre sweet, juicy, and tasty. But if you have a tiny little guinea pig with a noteworthy squeak, this name is pretty darn adorable. Filial cannibalism is when animals eat their own offspring. Guinea pigs can eat a lot of different types of fruit. Female guinea pigs have a Y-shaped opening close to their anus. Yes, guinea pigs like stuffed, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? Do guinea pigs get attached to their babies? AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE Raising an orphaned guinea pig is not very difficult because mothers feed guinea pig pups only a few times per day and then leave them alone. Pet owners know that keeping a guinea pig as a pet is a wonderful experience. How long does it take for guinea pigs to be born? Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least 1 out of 5 of the mothers dying during birth. Dont separate them from their mother too soon. 15 Best Pet Freshwater Fish For Beginners. Housing your guinea pig is not particularly difficult, as there are a large variety of hutches and cages commercially available. Allowing siblings to breed also poses a risk of dangerous congenital disorders to their offspring. Other causes of hair loss due to underlying medical conditions such as ovarian cysts may occur as a result of hormonal distress. The two main reasons why Guinea pigs may eat their babies is a result of hunger, or insufficient feeding. Baby guinea pigs feed on their mothers milk but soon they will need lots of alfalfa hay thats rich in calcium. Cage size Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape? Approach them face-on, so they can see you coming. Signs of Guinea pig loneliness, depression, and boredom include hair chewing, hiding, refusing to be handled, and general irritability. Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig. They will continue to nurse from mom for somewhere between three and six weeks. Do guinea pigs miss their babies? B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. However, you shouldnt touch the babies right after they are born. Guinea pigs can be aggressive towards each other if they are not adequately trained. 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. However, they can seriously injure them when they recognize that the babies are not theirs, also because they are intimidated and territorial. Most species clean their offspring with their tongue and so do your little friends. An indoor cage size of 18" x 24" (45 x 60 cm) should comfortably accommodate a guinea pig. These small pets need a lot of food and nutrition. i've been keeping this a secret for over a week now!! Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. Keep an eye on their weight, and youll be able to observe them steadily gaining ounces until around their first birthday. Besides, always separate baby guinea pigs from male guinea pigs. Male guinea pigs are more likely to harm their babies but they shouldnt eat them. If you carefully run a finger over the area, you should be able to feel the shaft of their penis under the skin. It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges. A single guinea pig living by themselves often become gloomy, confused, and spiritless. The reason is that male guinea pigs mature sexually very soon and can impregnate their mother as young as 2-3 months of age or even earlier. If a stillborn is not removed from the cage promptly, it might be eaten fairly quickly by the mother. Guinea pig babies are called "pups" when they are born and are birthed into litters. You can also give them a comfortable place to sleep, like a bed or hammock. 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. 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. Feed the guinea pig pups for the first 5 days around the clock every 4 to 5 hours. Most people find guinea pig babies sweet and beautiful. You can take some precautions to lower the risk of a guinea pig baby being eaten. As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. (2010, July 22). The best time to breed guinea pigs is before the female turns 7 months of age. 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. As mentioned already, increased stress will make it much more likely that your guinea pig will eat her offspring. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. 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. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? Male guinea pigs have a donut-shaped opening. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. It was fascinating to watch our new mom clean up after her newborn baby guinea pigs. This is called precociality. 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. Some of the cutest animals kill and devour their offspring. Always consult your vet if you think a baby guinea pig overly small, or failing to thrive. Wanna read something more boring than watching paint dry? Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. All rights reserved. Or at least make it a less dangerous one, for you, the guinea pig mother, and the baby piggies. The standard litter can range from one to six little pups, with an avg. 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. I didnt know how we would handle it if Theo rejected her babies or even worse ate her young! You have entered an incorrect email address! Will the baby guinea pigs be able to escape the enclosure? 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. (Keep that food bowl appropriately full!) After three weeks, the baby guinea pig can be separated from its mother and placed with other guinea pigs or its owner. This can lead to health problems. They are cheerful and love to run around, squeak, eat, play, and poop. I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. This usually happens when pups are stillborn, or born to ill to survive. Keep in mind that guinea pigs are not the best choice to raise other female guinea pigs babies. Wheek: The shrill noise a guinea pig or other small rodent makes. However, too much calcium is dangerous for an adult guinea pig. But usually, mom will begin to discourage her babies from nursing at about the 3rd week. Preview / Show more . However, in captivity that shouldnt happen at all because responsible pet owners keep them separate from pregnant and lactating sows and their babies. 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. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. One of the ways they do this is through "wheeking". This should reduce their spatial and jealous tendency. Garner-Richardson, V., Guinea Pig Nutrition, The Veterinary Nurse, 2013. How Few Is Too Few? Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. Its understandable to feel that way. Unlike many other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs are not self-sufficient. 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 . It is important to consider the space between the bars of your guinea pig cage. Baby guinea pigs are much smaller than their parents, so they can escape from the cage. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. The same goes for males. (Find Out Now), Filial Cannibalism (and 7 Reasons Why Some Animal Moms Dine On Their Babies). As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. https://amzn.to/3iYcPHPAs well as the new Pigg. (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. (Find Out Now)Continue. Guinea pig babies are born very quickly. Theres a few traits unique to piggies that probably explain why they usually dont feel the need to eat their babies. 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. The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial for the babys development. This is an essential process as it helps to ensure that the young guinea pigs can develop properly. While it might not be anything to worry about, sometimes it can be a sign of sickness. So, consider getting a cage large enough for them to play around. This is necessary to prevent pregnancy. Show some tender feelings towards your guinea pig. Talk to him with a soft voice and pet his head. In fact, loneliness reduces the life expectancy of a guinea pig. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? They also live for several years, longer than most other rodents, so you can enjoy them longer than other pet rodents. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. It is important to make sure that the pups begin nursing within the first few hours of birth. This is a question that has long been debated when it comes to guinea pigs. Sows must also have a constant supply of hay (alfalfa for the extra calories) and pellets. Coming up with a cute guinea pig name is a lot of fun, but can be tough. Use the tips in this post to understand why piggies eat their babies and to prevent it from happening. 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 . Expect to pay around $10 to $40 on average, though this can vary depending on factors such as age and coloring. A newborn guinea pig might weigh around 3.5 ounces or 100 grams. Where can I find baby guinea pigs for sale? No. Each birth is spaced out every 3 5 minutes. Honestly, I dont feel like its worth the risk. It is also quite normal for baby guinea pigs to whine when approached by a much bigger and older guinea pig. Place one hand under their tummy and one behind their bottom, and hold the little guy close to you. (2020, May 5). *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Guinea pigs eating babies is a rare but possible occurrence. (Find Out Now). Its often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Also, they should have unlimited amounts of timothy hay and water all the time. (And How? 5 Common Cat Behaviours And What They Mean. 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? New guinea pig breeds are formalised by the American Cavy Breeders Association, who also oversee breed standards and competitions in the United States. 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 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. In this article, we will focus on some important aspects of caring for guinea pig babies. Your guinea pig's individual personality will likely play a big role in this. You can also ask your vet for advice and support. Yes, guinea pigs do eat their babies. Calcium is very important for baby piggies as they are growing and developing. Guinea pigs mature quickly and will begin to nibble the hay, pellets and veggies fed to their mother within 24 hours. Six or seven weeks old is the age at which most breeders will let their pups go to their new homes. 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. 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. Female baby guinea pigs on the other hand have a y-shaped genital opening, set much closer to the anus. Compared to other rodents, guinea pigs (both in captivity and in the wild) will very rarely choose to eat their offspring. Another challenge that people face is that they may not be able to tell if the guinea pig is sick or not. It can be a little surprising to witness, but its completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. If the litter is too large, the mama . How Can I Prevent Guinea Pigs From Eating 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. The largest guinea pig litter recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records contained a whopping 17 pups! Cute Guinea Pig Names 200 Unique Names To Choose From, Cow Names Over 400 Amazing Names For Your Cattle, Giving your litter the best start begins before your sow is even pregnant make sure she has a clean bill of health from a vet before she is mated, and buy a.
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