Do guinea pigs get attached to their owners? Or at least make it a less dangerous one, for you, the guinea pig mother, and the baby piggies. If you have a pregnant guinea pig, consider giving the her cage an upgrade, so she can take care of her pups comfortably. Guinea pigs are also notorious communicators, and they start vocalising from babyhood. Guinea pig babies are born quickly. Yes, guinea pigs sometimes eat their babies. When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? Many people believe that guinea pigs get attached to their owners and that they miss their parents when they are separated. Their tiny mouths already manage to contain 20 teeth, which grow continuously. Guinea pigs weigh between 700 and 1200g. A male guinea pig might seriously injure his babies because he is territorial and feels intimidated. (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. They are cheerful and love to run around, squeak, eat, play, and poop. They are basically saying . Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort. Thankfully, she had an uneventful pregnancy and birth and did not eat her babies. For example, guinea pigs are born with their eyes open, and their ears which look huge at the moment can already hear. Garner-Richardson, V., Guinea Pig Nutrition, The Veterinary Nurse, 2013. If you are considering getting a guinea pig, ensure you can provide them with the social interaction they need. By doing this you can prevent accidental killings, as well as promptly remove any still born pups from the cage. Other genetic diseases include vaulting disease, stroke, and seizures. Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. Do Guinea Pigs Miss Their Owners? (Fun Facts) - Own Your Pet Show some tender feelings towards your guinea pig. Its unwise to create more. (And yes, its one of the more gruesome animal interactions in the wild.). We spent some time coming up with cute guinea pig names for our babies and decided upon the following; Moose, Aspen, Moon and Finn! Why Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? - Clever Pet Owners The sow eating her pups may be starving. Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines? 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. Any sudden movement or noise can scare them. Do Guinea Pigs Recognize Their Owners?: 10 Tips You Need Now However, in captivity that shouldnt happen at all because responsible pet owners keep them separate from pregnant and lactating sows and their babies. 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. Just like big farmyard pigs! 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. They reach their adult size very quickly. Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies? [The Surprising Truth] Well, your guess is as good as mine guinea pigs sure miss their owners when theyre absent for so long. Extreme Stress -. (700 to 1,100 grams), according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). How Few Is Too Few? If your sow is in a very small enclosure, this could cause her unnecessary stress. Some times, she shows me her displeasure if I have been away overnight and my neighbors fed her. Genetic abnormalities have been reported in guinea pigs, similar to those found in other breeds of animals (such as hip dysplasia in dogs). Some guinea pigs are more likely to nuzzle or groom people or other guinea pigs. Also, after delivery, the mother guinea pig can eat babies accidentally, while eating the placenta. We knew for sure that we had one male and two females, but it was still hard for us to tell with the fourth guinea pig. Guinea pigs eat their babies not because they want to kill them for food but for other reasons. She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. Once the pups arrive, monitor them closely to make sure nursing is established within 12 hours. Wanna read something more boring than watching paint dry? Newborn guinea pigs should be kept with their mom for at least 3 weeks. 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. Yes, guinea pigs like stuffed, Read More Do Guinea Pigs Like Stuffed Animals? I'm here to help you smash the EASY button on pet parenting. Hold him against your chest to help him feel secure and safe. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. Some guinea pig moms have their maternity care kicked in as they give birth while others take some time . Newborn Baby Guinea Pig Care - family-medical.net She is also teaching them how to interact with other guinea pigs. The extra calories should be provided until she stops nursing her newborn babies. 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. When they dont have enough food and are at risk of starvation. For example, they can eat blueberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon, passion fruit, melons, bananas, and many more. Having your guinea pig give birth to a litter should be an exciting time. If she is pregnant, her chances of suffering from some illness will also increase, which will tempt her to eat a lot. 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. Expect to pay around $10 to $40 on average, though this can vary depending on factors such as age and coloring. Will Your Guinea Pig Eat Her Babies? (What You Need To Know) Prepare to separate the male and female baby guinea pigs by at least three weeks of age. Even if guinea pigs cannot express emotions the way other pets like dogs or cats do, it doesnt mean they dont miss their owners when left alone for long. Filial cannibalism is when animals eat their own offspring. 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. If your guinea pig is hanging out near you while . Under certain circumstances, the sow may eat her offspring for various reasons. 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? A cage with a deep pan will make it more difficult for your guinea pigs to escape, but its not necessary. In captivity, they cannot run away, which increases the stress. Walter or Bob These guinea pigs sound like they should be wearing business suits on Wall Street. To pick up your guinea pig move slowly and gently pick him up with two hands. and Can You Put A Baby Guinea Pig With An Older One? It can be difficult to tell the difference between male and female guinea pigs under three weeks of age. So your guinea pig is pregnant. Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. Im guessing you probably have a lot of questions about guinea pig pregnancies. 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. Its important to know what signs to look out for so you can keep your piggies happy and healthy. In the next section weve assembled some of the most commonly asked questions our readers have about their baby guinea pigs. You can find a mentor by asking your local cavy club to put you in touch with suitable experienced breeders. Additionally, when her babies are born she may eat them in order to prevent them from taking up the little space she has. Its better to have a cage that is much larger than a cage that is too small. Every baby guinea pig needs its mothers milk, which provides enough nutrition during the first crucial days of their lives. Whining is typically a noise made by the more passive guinea pig to communicate to a guinea pig that is more pushy or dominant. This way they can easily confuse their predator and a group of guinea pigs doing this is known as a stampede.. The size of the pups is often relative to how many pups there are in the litter. I didnt know how we would handle it if Theo rejected her babies or even worse ate her young! While carrying babies, the guinea pig mother needs extra energy. Its just as important that your baby guinea pig also spends most of their time with other guinea pigs. (Fun Facts). That is a common myth and is not true. Whereas there are over 13 Guinea Pig breeds, English, Abyssinian, and Peruvian Guinea Pigs are the most well-liked. Try brushing your pets coats regularly as this can create soothing and pleasant connecting experiences. This page is stuffed full of information about how to care for your baby guinea pig. If the mother is experiencing starvation , she may eat her offspring as an ultimate last resort. Here you'll find the juicy goods to care for your little friends WITHOUT making your brain short-circuit. These small pets need a lot of food and nutrition. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? Domestic guinea pigs originated in South America but today these vocal, sociable creatures thrive in households across the globe. Just being near their most preferred people can give guinea pigs a lot of comfort. However, we always recommend having more than one guinea pig because these small animals are social creatures and they need company. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the water bottle at least once per week. If this happens, you should immediately remove the dead babies and dispose of them appropriately. Many living creatures eat other members of their species when necessary for survival. Coming up with a cute guinea pig name is a lot of fun, but can be tough. Keep your little friend calm. 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. Pettijohn, T. F., Attachment and Separation Distress in the Infant Guinea Pig, Developmental Psychobiology, 1979. During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: This was one question that had me really worried. And of course, when you run a finger over the area, you wont feel a penis! Be prepared to assess them quickly, because they wont like to be held in that position for long! Allowing siblings to breed also poses a risk of dangerous congenital disorders to their offspring. Your pregnant and lactating guinea pigs should have access to alfalfa hay in the last weeks of their pregnancy. Many others survive but have problems.Additionally, theres thousands (if not tens of thousands) of piggies without good homes now. Your guinea pig will be frustrated if their youngsters are upset or stressed. Dont be surprised if your pup lets out a little chirp as a means of asking for food! Common diseases in domestic guinea pigs include respiratory infections, diarrhea, itching, and boils due to infection (often the neck, throat, or external scratches). You have entered an incorrect email address! Do Guinea Pigs Recognize Their Owners? (How to Tell) (Keep that food bowl appropriately full!) We were stressed out during this time because we did not want to have another unexpected guinea pig pregnancy. Pneumonia can occur with torticollis and can be fatal. https://www.petmd.com/exotic/conditions/reproductive/c_ex_gp_pregnancy_toxemia, Why do animals sometimes kill their babies? 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. You can take some precautions to lower the risk of a guinea pig baby being eaten. We try to conform to the same standards and expectations when it comes to animal interactions and instincts. What to Do If Your Guinea Pig Had Babies - YouTube If that happens in captivity, its a rare exception. At six weeks old baby guineas pigs are fully weaned, and have stopped nursing from their mother. They can impregnate mom and sisters! If you are unsure if the guinea pig is missing its baby, you may not be able to know if it is ill and needs to see a veterinarian. The Best Pet Health & Care Advice from Real Vets | PetMD. Watch after your guinea pig while she gives birth. Following delivery, your guinea pig mama will be exhausted and hungry. 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! If your sow has eaten her own babies, you may want to consider changing her living conditions. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Caring for baby guinea pigs can be a rewarding experience if you know what to expect. Rather, they belong to a rodent species called cavies. So as long as the enclosure is secure and the bars are tight, you should be fine. B., Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1978. 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. 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. Guinea pigs do not share a similar parent-child bond like that of their siblings with their parents. My first piggy some years ago did a big dance of joy each time I came back home after some days of being away. The male guinea pig staying with the mother and babies is important because he helps keep them warm and protects them from predators. RELATED: CLICK HERE for tips on how to tame your guinea pig (step by step guide). (Find Out Now), Filial Cannibalism (and 7 Reasons Why Some Animal Moms Dine On Their Babies). Once the mother gives birth to her babies to the nest, she won't be paying much heed to the nest anymore. Diet What should our pregnant guinea pig eat? New Plymouth Vet Group. At those moments, the guinea pig mother can be very protective and you can be mistaken for a potential predator. To help you, weve written more about how to tame a guinea pig here. The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. Guinea pig cannibalism may occur in extreme cases of starvation. National Geographic. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. Why would a pet guinea pig eat its own babies? This is a question that many guinea pig owners have. Do guinea pigs hurt their babies? - Your Wisdom Tips During our research we learned that there are two possible reasons why: Malnourished - not getting enough to eat of the right kinds of food Back to back pregnancies - due to nutrient deficiencies This was one question that had me really worried. Guinea pigs make eleven different call types. Give herenough food as she needs nourishment, so never have her food bowl empty. 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. Some have lengthy, silky hair, and others have brief, tough coats. However, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not this is true. Guinea Pigs make excellent pets due to their playful, social nature. You can also ask your vet for advice and support. A fully grown guinea pig is between 20 and 25 cm long.

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