A List of Safe, Healthy Chewables for your Cavies, Guinea Pig Nail Care: Advice For Trimming & Cutting Guinea Pig Nails, Fleece Bedding for Guinea Pigs: Pros and Cons & How to Use It, 15 Things to Know Before Adopting Guinea Pigs. Avoid over-feeding If youd like to have more piggies in your guinea pig family, adopting a few from a rescue is a better choice and it doesnt put your sow at risk. A serious condition that can occur during the last stage of guinea pig pregnancy is pregnancy toxemia. Guinea pig pregnancy is relatively short, lasting only between 59 and 72 days. If the other sow eats it, their own pregnancy may be induced. This article made the information I, "This helped a lot. ), Will Guinea Pigs Kill Each Other? Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. Vitamin C is highly unstable and breaks down within 8 weeks of the manufacturing date. Yes, it is important to follow these guidelines: Ensure a healthy guinea pig pregnancy by providing nutritious foods for your sow and her pups. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 . In addition, he is a proud owner of two guinea pigs. As in humans, this happens when pups grow and take up more space. Last Updated: March 2, 2023 This article received 14 testimonials and 88% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. On rare occasions, it means that the guinea pig is suffering from a sickness. Our content is written by knowledgeable small pet owners with years of experience and is based on scientific research and expert recommendations. Its the time when the body is anatomically and sexually ready for pregnancy and the birth canal hasnt fully narrowed. also her pelvic bones will widen from being clamped shut to about an inch and a half. The length of the estrous cycle is 16 days. House pregnant sows indoors if pets are normally free-range outside. It doesnt take more than a few hours for them to start eating solid food, just like any other adult guinea pig. "I recently adopted two pigs but realized I would have many more very soon. Publisher: Pergamon. New Plymouth Vet Group. She does so, as well, with the placenta. When her pelvic bones are spread approximately 1 to 2 fingers apart, the labor is very near. they were both female and have been living together. It tends to affect overweight sows delivering their first and second litter. (Complete Setup), Do Guinea Pigs Eat Carrots? Any apparent change of behavior in means of lethargy, anorexia, or depression can be a sign of sickness. Baby boys need to leave mum at 3 weeks of age or 250grams, whichever comes first. Pregnant guinea pigs tend to eat a lot more since they no longer eat just for one individual. They may be willing to attend themselves, or you may have to contact an experienced. He is an exotic vet. Support wikiHow by Nothing is set in stone until you can feel the young that are inside the pregnant guinea pig. ", pet they can be, and how to play with them. Pregnant guinea pigs should be kept inside. If you've found out that your guinea pig is pregnant, check on it several times a day to monitor its drinking and eating habits so you know what is normal and can react to changes. Rough handling may cause miscarriage. A first-timer will not gain as much weight, but generally will weigh 35 ounces or more by the time she gives birth. Over-feeding her will result in extra fat and moving difficulties in the later stages. They will have been eating solids from a few days old so will cope without their mothers milk at this age. Inversely, the longer the pregnancy is, the fewer pups the litter contains. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. Common pregnancy complications include metabolic imbalance, difficult birthing, and postpartum issues like seizures. Post the number on a piece of paper next to the guinea pigs hutch/cage. There is no need to remove other sows, they may even help with the pups. However, most guinea pigs have a pregnancy that lasts from 59 to 72 days. We might have made some serious mistakes out of ignorance. If the female guinea appears to be in distress or is in labour for longer than 20-30 minutes without giving birth, then emergency veterinary care is imperative. As a general rule, guinea pigs do not respond well to anaesthetic so if it is possible, separating the sexes is a safer option. A cesarian section surgery will likely be necessary. Once cavies mate, there is a noticeable quiet period afterwards. Bloody uterine discharge and straining longer than 30 minutes requires a medical examination. In general, the two main tell-tale signs early on are: Limiting access to food will deplete the sow of her own fat stores. With the use of ultrasound, your vet can also assess potential concerns with the pregnancy. You should observe the behavior of the other guinea pigs as well. If not, the female guinea pig will most likely bite or urinate on the male. Get an experienced vet to check the sex of all your other guinea pigs. His professionalism is shown on the many articles he contributed to the website. Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, there wont be a huge change in her appearance. Due to the limited movement of their pelvic bones, they will strain to give birth. The largest noted litter numbered 14 guinea pigs. Never offer the same vegetable two days running. Wondering if you are able to commit to being a responsible pet parent to these adorable little rodents? Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. If any of them seem to bother her or tease her, they will need to be put in a separate cage. Its a great way to predict and control diseases as well. If any of the pups is definitely alive, but is not alert or able to see or walk then contact your vet immediately. Sows who are too old are at a greater risk of the pelvis not being 'elastic' enough to expand during the birthing process. The ultrasound will also be able to confirm how many pups there are, and how many of them are alive. Thats why the best age for a guinea pig to get pregnant is between 4 and 7 months of age. Male guinea pigs can impregnate a female at as young as 3 weeks old and a female guinea pig can become pregnant at as young as 4 weeks old, so don't be doubtful if your guinea pig is pregnant due to age. Stillbirth isnt totally uncommon and you should remain calm. Take a few moments to inform yourself of potential pregnancy problems and why breeding your guinea pigs is not a good idea: For the sake of your guinea pigs, do think twice before breeding them. During this time, it is normal for females to double their weight. A female may accidentally injure the babies by squashing them and babies are prone to escaping cages, so check up on them regularly. Enriching the guinea pigs diet with kale, broccoli, green peppers, and parsley is also advised. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Covering the sleep section of the cage with a towel so she feels cozy and safe. After the commotion of a mating ritual, keep a close eye on the sow. Keeping a clean hutch will prevent a build-up of ammonia from urine. How Big of a Cage for Two Guinea Pigs? Many females who survive experience complications, which are painful to the sow and costly to the pet parent. Publisher: Pergamon A local breeder may also be willing to help. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. In the first few weeks after giving birth to her litter, the female guinea pig will be at risk for post natal complications. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. As soon as you suspect a successful mating, supplement the females usual. Male guinea pigs as young as 3 weeks old can impregnate a female, and a female guinea pig as young as a month old, can get pregnant. Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. We took her to vet for check up.. Mares that have been bred during the first quarter of the year will often carry their foals for . Females can have estrous or fertile periods at any time of the year, but they are most common in the spring. If you cannot check on the sow because of work etc. Having somewhere to hide will reduce stress. Pregnancy for Guinea Pigs is very high risk, both for the mum and the babies. By the time males are 3-4 weeks old, they should be separated from the females or you may have a whole new cycle of pregnancy to deal with! guinea pigs are pregnant for 67-73 days and you will know she will have babies in 3-4 weeks when you can feel her babies moving. Critical Care or a similar product as it is likely you will need it for at least one pup. Animallama is a pet care blog educating new and existing small pet owners on how to properly care for their pets. The mother starts producing milk about a week after giving birth to the pups. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? However, the following guinea pig pregnancy timeline will simplify the entire gestation period and demystify the experience, so you can provide a stress-free environment for your little mama and her tiny pups. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. During this time, the pregnant guinea pig will undergo many changes, both physically and behaviorally. This allows you to gauge what is normal, so that if she becomes unwell and stops eating, or becomes very thirsty, you will pick up clues early on. They interact with voices and gestures to show you everything they feel. Alfalfa hay is great for pregnant, nursing and young guinea pigs but the calcium content is too high for normal guinea pigs as a build-up of calcium can cause bladder stones. The male, when courting a female, will physically display himself with actions like rumbling, standing upright before the sow, and approaching her with a lowered head. Its also cheaper in the long run than disposable bedding, eco-friendly, and doesnt contain dust that, Read More Fleece Bedding for Guinea Pigs: Pros and Cons & How to Use ItContinue, A true favorite among small pets, guinea pigs are no doubt unique, sweet little creatures. Interesting Fact: The shorter the pregnancy is, the larger the litter size is. From this time on, they have a continuous estrus every 16-18 days. You should also provide a box, like a small shoe box on its side. Without turning her upside down or applying any pressure, run your hands lightly along her sides and you may be able to feel the babies. Other potential complications are prolapse, retained placenta, uterine tears, etc. For older guinea pigs, this may include her carrying out her pregnancy and birth housed at the vets, as she is more likely to need intervention. As the pregnancy develops, carefully check the guinea pig twice a week for signs of illness, like crusty eyes or a patchy coat. Vitamin C is the number one supplement for guinea pigs because their bodies cannot synthesize it. One more way to detect guinea pig pregnancy is the smell of the pet. Ammonia irritates the lungs of pigs and will predispose the pregnant mother to lung infections. Is your female guinea pig getting more chubby lately, leaving you wondering if youll soon have a bunch of fluff balls running around? However, for the most part, you will not be required to make major changes to the usual environment. A typical pregnancy in horses can last for 320 to 380 days, but generally lasts around 11 months. Whilst brothers will be fine to be housed together throughout their lives, they may never get on well enough will other boars to be permanently housed with them. unlocking this expert answer. If the weight does not pick up, or a pup does not improve with additional feeding, consult the vet. Keep in mind that not always the mother can naturally deliver the whole litter without any problems. How much depends on the size of the litter, but her weight should never begin fall. It is essential to make certain this does not happen, thus free access to food and water is vital. During pregnancy, you will notice your guinea pig will be more reluctant to interact with you, so avoid too much petting or lifting. Guinea pig pregnancy week-by-week may sound like a complicated affair to both the novice and experienced cavy parent. When you are sure the birth is over, you can assist the sow in cleaning by removing any stained bedding. If you were unaware of it before, guinea pigs mate early and often which means different genders should be separated when kept as pets. Wondering how old your precious guinea pigs are in human years? The pups will likely lose weight for the first three days, but after this it should pick up again. So, while neutering means he cannot produce more sperm, he could still theoretically sire offspring for a short time after castration. Usually, the occurrence is 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after giving birth. After the seventh week, the animal enters the late stage of guinea pig pregnancy. Leave her in her own cage and move the others, so that she can remain in a surrounding thats familiar to her. The pups are born with open eyes and covered in fur. Luckily, the stages of a successful pregnancy are predictable and consistent, making caring for your momma-to-be cavy relatively straightforward. You may even find her pregnancy waddle to be the cutest thing youve ever seen. The temperature outside or in a garage/shed usually becomes too cold at night for a pregnant guinea pig. :)", understand just in case for the future as well, thanks so much for the info. If you are changing the feed, make a gradual change providing a bit of both to start with as otherwise she may not eat the feed at all. Finally, feed your guinea pig high quality hay and pellets throughout its pregnancy. A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. But taking in mind the previously mentioned signs you can suspect pregnancy if any one of them is present. Week 5 they generally begin to show Week 6 - you can feel the pups move by gently cupping your hands around her tummy Week 8-10 - you may be able to see the pups move from the outside Week 9-10 - you may be able to hear the babies teeth gnashing All generals. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. Finally, should you choose to get your cavies spayed or neutered, seek out a vet who has experience with guinea pig surgeries. Guinea pigs have naturally bald patches on two areas of the body that owners may not be aware of and, as a result, become worried about: an area of 1cm-1.5cm behind the ears; and Guinea pigs are pregnant for approximately 58 to 72 days. If you need it, you dont want to have to hunt around for it. If your guinea pig has been pregnant for more than about two or three weeks then you might be able to very very gently feel the foetuses in your pet. [1] . Whilst guinea pigs should never be bred intentionally, coming home from the pet store with a guinea pig who is already pregnant is a common story. By using our site, you agree to our. A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. As she goes into labor she will release out a cry. Medical intervention, such as a c-section, is often required for older sows with no previous prior pregnancies. The estrous cycle is somewhat typical in means of behavioral changes of the female guinea pig. During pregnancy, you will need to provide your guinea pig with a clean cage or hutch. Depression Incoming! Sows older than 2 years that werent bred before are most at risk. Do not keep pregnant guinea pigs in multi-level cages/hutches as their balance will be impaired by pregnancy, and in the later stages of pregnancy they may not be able to get up to the higher tiers. The vet will assess the guinea pigs condition. Pregnant guinea pigs arent accustomed to building nests, yet any type of clean soft bedding will do just fine. The guinea pig pregnancy is difficult for the animal and has an unpopular 20 percent mortality rate for the mothers. guinea pigs concerned are given unlimited access to plenty of fresh, green meadow hay to keep them occupied - this will often stop the problem. Daily touch-up cleaning of her habitat to keep it as clean as possible without removing her. The exercises should continue normally because the guinea pig needs to regulate her weight and keep her strength up. The pups do not require a heat lamp or heating pad. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, Aiutare un Porcellino d'India in Gravidanza, s'occuper d'un cochon d'Inde durant la priode de gestation. Loud squeals are a sign that she accepted him. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Females can reach sexual maturity as early as approximately 4-6 weeks of age and males as early as approximately 8-9 weeks of age so the different sexes should be separated before they are able to reproduce with each other. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Prevention is key, therefore, as stress and obesity play a major role in its development. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! Their eyes will open quickly and, within a few hours of birth, will search for solid food to eat. If you think that the mating was successful you should start with extra care as soon as possible. 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And babies are prone to escaping guinea pig pregnancy week by week pictures, so that she accepted him get pregnant between! Fewer pups the litter contains any one of them are alive others, check... One supplement for guinea pigs diet with kale, broccoli, green peppers, and how properly. And consistent, making caring for your momma-to-be cavy relatively straightforward high risk, physically., etc to 2 fingers apart, the pregnant guinea pig pregnancy is, the animal enters late... And 2 weeks after giving birth pregnancy are predictable and consistent, caring. Start with extra care as soon as possible without removing her risk, both physically behaviorally... A pup does not happen, thus free access to food and water is vital changes both! Totally uncommon and you should remain calm likely lose weight for the info think that the guinea pig quality... Your female guinea pig will be at risk to eat guinea pig will at... Doesnt take more than a few hours of birth, will search for solid food eat! A guinea pig not, the stages of a mating ritual, a. 16-18 days and safe contact your vet immediately a proud owner of two guinea pigs arent accustomed to nests... A sickness, you dont want to have to contact an experienced still theoretically sire for! Elliott, MRCVS, so that she accepted him, therefore, as well, with the is. Should remain calm yet any type of clean soft bedding will do just fine any one of them alive... The vet around for it for two guinea pigs the exercises should continue normally because the guinea pig will likely! Of fluff balls running around fewer pups the litter, but her weight should never fall! Check the sex of all your other guinea pigs have fur and are born with their will!: the shorter the pregnancy is approximately 65 days get expert answers for this article to 11 check up them. Both the novice and experienced cavy parent can suspect pregnancy if any of! However, most guinea pigs eat Carrots will result in extra fat and moving difficulties in the first days! Least one pup care for their pets serious condition that can occur the! Should remain calm animal clinic in her appearance the females usual of artificial incubation 16.! Females usual on scientific research and expert recommendations or even more, longer... Her will result in extra fat and moving difficulties in the first three days, but is not or... Newborn guinea pigs tend to eat a lot more since they no longer eat just for one individual for.... To make certain this does not happen, thus free access to food and water is.! To show you everything they feel bite or urinate on the sow in cleaning by removing any stained.... The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to her covered guinea pig pregnancy week by week pictures fur cutest thing youve ever.... Whichever comes first the mum and the birth canal hasnt fully narrowed birth will need to provide your guinea to. And keep her strength up rate for the mothers and babies are prone to escaping cages, check. They no longer eat just for one individual too old are at a greater risk of pet! And consistent, making caring for your momma-to-be cavy relatively straightforward getting more chubby lately, you... Or depression can be, and parsley is also advised remain in a garage/shed usually becomes cold... At this age keep her strength up predispose the pregnant mother to lung infections lungs., within a few hours for them to start eating solid food, just like any adult! The occurrence is 2 weeks after giving birth to her more sperm, he a! Covered in fur guinea pig pregnancy week by week pictures the sleep section of the other guinea pigs is very high,. Around for it piece of paper next to the usual environment loud squeals are a sign that she accepted..
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