They interact with voices and gestures to show you everything they feel. Lethal guinea pigs are white in colour (not albino) are born blind, usually in both eyes, have crooked or deformed teeth, are often also deaf and often suffer from internal deformities particularly to the digestive organs. They may prescribe treatment that includes injections of dextrose solutions, steroids and calcium, which may or may not be effective. This article has been viewed 326,562 times. 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. Its a great way to predict and control diseases as well. Never offer the same vegetable two days running. We encourage people to be informed and ask questions before they start breeding. Pet stores also often house both sexes together, and some breeders do not separate the sexes early enough so it is possible the sow was already pregnant when you bought her. The canal is fully fused by the 7-8thmonth of age both in unbred female and male guinea pigs. But taking in mind the previously mentioned signs you can suspect pregnancy if any one of them is present. Remove any other pregnant sows. Potential Pregnancy Problems. 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. A local breeder may also be willing to help. Ammonia irritates the lungs of pigs and will predispose the pregnant mother to lung infections. It is common for them to double in weight during this time. If the other sow eats it, their own pregnancy may be induced. As the pregnancy develops, carefully check the guinea pig twice a week for signs of illness, like crusty eyes or a patchy coat. This article made the information I, "This helped a lot. Sometimes she may wait to attend the young ones until all babies are delivered. Its logical to think that the more babies the mother carries, the longer the pregnancy will last because more time for nourishment is required. At this time you will be even able to distinguish the body parts of the moving babies by gently touching the belly. Nothing is set in stone until you can feel the young that are inside the pregnant guinea pig. If you are concerned about the mother or have serious health worries about one of the pups contact a vet immediately, however. Implement patterned feeding, drinking, and outdoor regiments. The sow must be fed an adequate selection of healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables daily, along with high-quality pellets and unlimited hay and water. She may, if he persists, even urinate on him. Her hindquarters, especially, needs extra support to protect the litter. How to confirm your guinea pig's pregnancy? We begin with week 4, which is when the pregnancy is most likely to be confirmed. This means that we may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase something through an affiliate link. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). To find out how to house your guinea pig during pregnancy and how to prepare for it to give birth, keep reading! Wondering if you are able to commit to being a responsible pet parent to these adorable little rodents? 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 Welcome to Animallama, a place where experienced small pet owners share all the tips they learned over the years of caring for their fur friends. If the sow becomes uninterested in food contact your veterinarian immediately. They are able to see, hear and move around once they are born. This type is rich both in protein in calcium, two things she needs a lot at the moment. Many females who survive experience complications, which are painful to the sow and costly to the pet parent. Setting up a guinea pig cage is not so easy. Pregnancy is hard work for a female guinea pig. The estrous cycle is somewhat typical in means of behavioral changes of the female guinea pig. All guinea pigs enjoy burrowing down in hay, but do not nest specifically because of pregnancy. 8 weeks after birth the guinea pig pups double their size by adding 3-4 inches (8-10 cm). The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Usually, the occurrence is 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after giving birth. Guinea pigs dont typically create a nest to give birth, but you may want to make a warm, comfortable space for the sow by: Right now, the sows pelvic bone is under a lot of pressure, so minimize handling her to reduce added stress. ", 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. Fleece bedding comes in many styles, looks great, and is comfortable on guinea pigs feet. Note that she may chew the cardboard, so have extra boxes or use a wicker or thick-plastic box. Selective feeding is where the guinea pig chooses the tastier bits of food over less tasty but often more nutritious foods. It takes about 20-30 minutes for the whole litter to be delivered. Is there anything special that needs to be done when cavies are pregnant? What most people dont know is that the number of babies affects the length of the pregnancy. 2. Female guinea pigs sexually mature as early as 2 months of age. As of three weeks of age, boars can impregnate females, creating a continuous gestation cycle if males arent housed separately. The rapid dissolving of fat results in metabolic disorders and the accumulation of ketones in the bloodstream. [1] . They will have been eating solids from a few days old so will cope without their mothers milk at this age. 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. The pregnancy of the guinea pig will be shorter if there is a larger litter size. The onset is generally sudden and progress rather quicker than you are reporting. During this period the mothers double her body weight and get a lot bigger. Publisher: Pergamon. Establish a daily routine with set times and stick to it, to provide consistency. Providing a stress-free location for the mom-to-be assures an easier birth. On rare occasions, it means that the guinea pig is suffering from a sickness. You should also provide a box, like a small shoe box on its side. 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. Postnatally guinea pigs can become sexually mature as early as four weeks. Below is a detailed description of what to expect during each week of a guinea pig's pregnancy. Handling those delicate tootsies which are no bigger than the size of, Read More Guinea Pig Nail Care: Advice For Trimming & Cutting Guinea Pig NailsContinue, Are you searching for an awesome guinea-pig-themed gift? This article received 14 testimonials and 88% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. The guinea pigs won't need to make a nest to give birth. If you gently touch the animals belly and run your hand along the surface and look for small lumps and bumps. Once the pups are weaned, the mother should not require vitamin supplements anymore, unless you gave them to her as part of her regular diet anyway. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. During the early stage change the usual hay with Alfalfa hay. 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! In fact, you may even wonder if your cavy is actually pregnant. (Complete Setup), Do Guinea Pigs Eat Carrots? My guinea pig's quite fat, but when we went to the vet, she wasn't pregnant. Guinea pigs are pregnant for 58-73 days. However, both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. Guinea pigs exhibit an enlarged abdomen during the late stages of pregnancy. "We just found out that one of our guinea pigs is male and the other is pregnant! Examine the shape of the cavy's genital opening. The average number of days female guinea pigs stay pregnant is 65 days. Place any cavies that appear to annoy her in a different cage. Mares that have been bred during the first quarter of the year will often carry their foals for . Guinea pups, once born, will be completely furry. Guinea pig newborns are fully covered with hair, have open eyes and ears and have teeth present. How much depends on the size of the litter, but her weight should never begin fall. One more way to detect guinea pig pregnancy is the smell of the pet. But do you really understand what it takes to care for these fluffy friends? Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. There are several factors that can affect how many days a mare is actually pregnant. Your email address will not be published. Loud squeals are a sign that she accepted him. Mother starts making "extreme" stress calls, Mother seems to give in, appearing exhausted, Excessive bleeding (more than a tablespoon). Leave her in her own cage and move the others, so that she can remain in a surrounding thats familiar to her. Is your female guinea pig getting more chubby lately, leaving you wondering if youll soon have a bunch of fluff balls running around? When you are sure the birth is over, you can assist the sow in cleaning by removing any stained bedding. They should be kept at the same comfortable temperature as the adults. Guinea Pig Pregnancy Britany Sanchez 153 subscribers 150K views 10 years ago This video is about the week by week progress of your Guinea Pig's pregnancy, along with links to more. There is a 3-5 minute interval between each baby. At birth, baby guinea pigs can weigh between 2.1 and 4.2 oz (60 and 120 grams) and have an average size of 3-4 inches (8-10 cm). During this time, the pregnant guinea pig will undergo many changes, both physically and behaviorally. Phone: 06 758 4006. As in humans, this happens when pups grow and take up more space. The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. Boris is a veterinarian of a small house pets. Enjoy! Males should be removed well before the birth to avoid back-to-back pregnancies. Covering the sleep section of the cage with a towel so she feels cozy and safe. ", needed available in a clear, concise manner, super simple, and now I feel confident in my unexpected blessing. After the commotion of a mating ritual, keep a close eye on the sow. If not, the female guinea pig will most likely bite or urinate on the male. In the first few weeks after giving birth to her litter, the female guinea pig will be at risk for post natal complications. Guinea Pig Gestation Period: How Long Is Guinea Pig Pregnancy? The exercises should continue normally because the guinea pig needs to regulate her weight and keep her strength up. She may carry several pups, between one and six, and they're carried in the womb for 58 - 73 days. This is the most exciting period! Animallama is a pet care blog educating new and existing small pet owners on how to properly care for their pets. Season: A mare's gestation period can be impacted by the season. This prevents an excess of one particular mineral that might be contained in that vegetable. Then check out these 15 things to know, Read More 15 Things to Know Before Adopting Guinea PigsContinue, Your email address will not be published. Guinea pigs can especially sexually mature early for animals. Stillbirth isnt totally uncommon and you should remain calm. During this time the sow needs to be weighed weekly. What is the Best Age for a Guinea Pig to Get Pregnant? Answer by Guinea P lover! What most people don't know is that the number of babies affects the length of the pregnancy. When its utterly necessary make sure she has the support of her hips. We got her without knowing that she was a pregnant guinea pig. Just a disclaimer: Beware that you should not wildly breed guinea pigs if you dont have a proper breeding program or the appropriate financial situation as well as time to care for them. To find out how to house your guinea pig during pregnancy and how to prepare for it to give birth, keep reading! During this time, it is normal for females to double their weight. Guinea pig pregnancy week-by-week may sound like a complicated affair to both the novice and experienced cavy parent. Mood changes due to rise in hormone level, Increase in fatigue, resulting in more sleeping and/or change in sleeping pattern. The mothers weight will vary for a few days whilst she re-adjusts but should settle within five days. With all this said, don't be surprised if your guinea pig falls pregnant while she still seems young to you. Loss of appetite can also be a symptom of pregnancy toxemia. Lindsay Pereira is a pet-lovin Montral-based writer whos a mommy to Muffy, a grumpy guinea pig with a serious attitude problem, the recently departed Miss Lilly, who is happily nibbling hay in guinea pig heaven. Research source Continuous breeding is dangerous for female guinea pigs, increasing health issues and shortening. Doing so can cause pups to grow too big, which the sow may struggle to birth. The early stage consists of the first few days after mating. At the end of the middle stage, the movement of the babies will become visible under the skin. Thats because those tiny, adorable feet are just so tiny! How much your cavy expands during this time depends on the number of pups shes carrying. At birth the pups should weigh roughly 2 to 3 oz. These images range from super small baby bumps to plus-size pregnancy belly bump pictures showing the week-by-week pregnancy development. Thats why a female guinea pig should be bred before the permanent hardening on the pelvic canal. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. During the first month or so, there arent a lot of physical signs to indicate your sow is a mom-to-be. The mother starts producing milk about a week after giving birth to the pups. If your pregnant guinea pig does not meet the age requirements, talk to your vet about a pregnancy plan. Male guinea pigs have a larger amount of space between their penis and their anus, about 2-3cm of space between the penis and the anus. I know there are so many groups out there that don't and its okay. . So, while neutering means he cannot produce more sperm, he could still theoretically sire offspring for a short time after castration. The baby guinea pigs can be physically felt 2 to 4 weeks into pregnancy. If it declines every day or continues to change after 5 days, consult the vet. A visit to the vet will help determine if your cavy is pregnant. The gestation period in guinea pigs varies between 59 and 72 days. In the case of any anomalies or worry, you should contact the vet. guinea pigs concerned are given unlimited access to plenty of fresh, green meadow hay to keep them occupied - this will often stop the problem. Females will typically reach full sexual maturity at approximately 4 to 6 weeks of age. It will be too stressful for her. If you cannot check on the sow because of work etc. If you have not removed males yet, do so at this point. Male piglets must be separated by four weeks old or breeding between littermates may occur. The milk provides some very important nutrients for the babies. During this time, keep watch for the following: Dystocia, or difficult birth, is common in sows who are older than 7-8 months and bred for the first time. This type of nourishment promotes fetal health and prevents hair loss for the mother to be. ). Remember that Omni's guinea . Depression Incoming! Guinea Pig Death Process Dead or in Shock? [1] I for one was never able to see Emma's babies move from the outside. This mechanism works in other species of animals as well and very fortunately humans arent accustomed to it. Pregnant guinea pigs tend to eat a lot more since they no longer eat just for one individual. The guinea pig may die during or after pregnancy due to complications during pregnancy or birth, or from toxemia after birth. Adult Guinea Pig Embryos from the guinea pigor guinea-pig(Cavia porcellus) have been used in various tetragenic studies, including the effects of elevated body temperature on embryonic development. By using our site, you agree to our. This is a common occurrence; roughly 1 in 5 guinea pigs will die as a direct result of pregnancy or birth. Avoid over-feeding Guinea pigs have an average of two to four babies per litter but can have as many as eight. Guinea pigs reach sexual maturity very early, around 2-4 months of age. ), Will Guinea Pigs Kill Each Other? Place it in a sheltered part of the hutch, away from draughts. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. If there are any signs that the pregnant sow is not getting on with another guinea pig, do not hesitate to remove the other guinea pig, but leave the pregnant sow in the hutch/cage she is in. Guinea pigs are pregnant for approximately 58 to 72 days. Make any changes as early as possible in the pregnancy, when the stress will have less of an effect on the sow. Our fuzzy pets have a relatively long lifespan compared to other small pets, and they stay our loyal companions through a significant part of our lives. Thats when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. What Can Guinea Pigs Chew On? Guinea Pig Eye Infection What You Should Do? The estrous cycle length is 16 days. Guinea pig mother lactates for 2-3 weeks. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. If the female approves of the male, she will signal her acceptance to mate with loud squeaks. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. The least expensive, easiest, and safest breeding prevention is to house sows and boars separately. Finally, feed your guinea pig high quality hay and pellets throughout its pregnancy. However, most guinea pigs have a pregnancy that lasts from 59 to 72 days. Finally, should you choose to get your cavies spayed or neutered, seek out a vet who has experience with guinea pig surgeries. You need to find out whether she is with babies earlier to provide the appropriate level of care for each stage of the pregnancy. The average duration of a pregnancy is 65 days, but it depends on how many pups she is carrying -- her pregnancy will be shorter if she's carrying more pups. 2. 2 Observe her eating habits. Reduce exposure to loud noises or bright lights. In the event of a high-risk guinea pig pregnancy, they can also ensure a safe environment to deliver the pups successfully. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. Male guinea pigs are very territorial so when they mate they spray the female with their urine. Common pregnancy complications include metabolic imbalance, difficult birthing, and postpartum issues like seizures. Duration of guinea pig pregnancy depends on the number of pups: the larger the litter the shorter the pregnancy. 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. Typically, only 2 to 4 ova (fertile eggs) are released by the female during the fertile period of the estrous. Guinea pigs should be split into same-sex groups at 3 weeks old. Guinea Pig Reproduction and Gestation Guinea pigs have a lifespan of 4 to 8 years and reach sexual maturity at an early age. Support wikiHow by New Plymouth Vet Group. Updated 18.12.19. Thats because they dont want other males to approach her. If I felt my pregnant guinea pig's belly and caused her a miscarriage, what would the signs be? The vet may try to manipulate the piglet into a position where the mother can pass it. In most cases, the small forms are a sign of guinea pig pregnancy. 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