Nothing is set in stone until you can feel the young that are inside the pregnant guinea pig. Female guinea pigs sexually mature as early as 2 months of age. Guinea Pig Reproduction and Gestation Guinea pigs have a lifespan of 4 to 8 years and reach sexual maturity at an early age. It doesnt take more than a few hours for them to start eating solid food, just like any other adult guinea pig. Ammonia irritates the lungs of pigs and will predispose the pregnant mother to lung infections. Reduce exposure to loud noises or bright lights. Wait 24 hours after the birth to give additional feeding for one of the pups as it takes this long for some pups to begin feeding at all. If there is not an out-of-hours vet in your area, discuss this with your vet to come up with a plan. "I recently adopted two pigs but realized I would have many more very soon. If you need it, you dont want to have to hunt around for it. 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. The male on, the other hand, will put on his manly display but will still approach the saw with a lowered head. Since their gestation lasts just 59-73 days, a female guinea pig is capable in theory of bearing five or even six litters a year. 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. Note that she may chew the cardboard, so have extra boxes or use a wicker or thick-plastic box. Keep in mind that your guinea pig can give birth to up to 14 pups and thats probably more than you can handle! Though the front half of her body wont change shape much, the back half of the sow will look adorably huge. 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. Guinea pigs are pregnant for 58-73 days. Cavies of both sexes, when mixed together and unsterilized, will most assuredly result in guinea pig pregnancy. 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. If any of the pups is definitely alive, but is not alert or able to see or walk then contact your vet immediately. Doing so can cause pups to grow too big, which the sow may struggle to birth. Though it may sound hard to believe, the fact is, its true! . It tends to affect overweight sows delivering their first and second litter. In the case of any anomalies or worry, you should contact the vet. Not only will we dive deeper into how you can actually find out if your piggy might be pregnant and how you can take steps and precautions towards their delivery date. At this time you will be even able to distinguish the body parts of the moving babies by gently touching the belly. In time, it will be a bit harder for them to move, but this is of little or no significance. Pregnant guinea pigs arent accustomed to building nests, yet any type of clean soft bedding will do just fine. There is, however, a thin line between sounding heartwarming and scary when people say the words guinea pig pregnancy. If she has given birth before, she likely will double her weight by the time she gives birth, so you can approximate how far along she is by weighing her. [1] This prevents an excess of one particular mineral that might be contained in that vegetable. Litter size ranges, with the average being 2-4 pups in rare cases as many as 12-14. . A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. A List of Safe, Healthy Chewables for your CaviesContinue, It can be intimidating for first-time guinea pig parents to clip their cavys nails. Once cavies mate, there is a noticeable quiet period afterwards. Continuous breeding is dangerous for female guinea pigs, increasing health issues and shortening. it may also be necessary to separate your pregnant guinea pig from any other guinea pigs you have. However, most guinea pigs have a pregnancy that lasts from 59 to 72 days. Guinea pig mother lactates for 2-3 weeks. 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? Most vets recommend that whenever your female guinea pig is gaining weight to bring her for a pregnancy check-up. It will be too stressful for her. Negligence and ignorance can prove to be fatal for the mother and the babies. If not, the female guinea pig will most likely bite or urinate on the male. Doing so can lead to pregnancy. This is because sows who are too young are at a greater risk of vitamin deficiencies during pregnancy. Especially if any of them display aggressive tendencies. If the female approves of the male, she will signal her acceptance to mate with loud squeaks. 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. The least expensive, easiest, and safest breeding prevention is to house sows and boars separately. 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. So, it should not come as a surprise if female and male pups are kept in one enclosure. House pregnant sows indoors if pets are normally free-range outside. If you are concerned about the mother or have serious health worries about one of the pups contact a vet immediately, however. If you are not prepared to care for them yourself, a more experienced guinea pig owner may be willing to take them or you may make the decision to have them put down. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, there wont be a huge change in her appearance. Guinea pigs are pregnant for 59-72 days. Thats because those tiny, adorable feet are just so tiny! 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. Publisher: Pergamon. With the use of ultrasound, your vet can also assess potential concerns with the pregnancy. Even though you can assist the birthing by yourself, its always better to leave it to licensed professionals. Implement patterned feeding, drinking, and outdoor regiments. It is worth noting that female guinea pigs can get pregnant at four weeks old. Is it OK to leave the non-pregnant girl with the pups? The length of the estrous cycle is 16 days. Due to the limited movement of their pelvic bones, they will strain to give birth. Interesting Fact: The shorter the pregnancy is, the larger the litter size is. Establish a daily routine with set times and stick to it, to provide consistency. Daily touch-up cleaning of her habitat to keep it as clean as possible without removing her. But taking in mind the previously mentioned signs you can suspect pregnancy if any one of them is present. I am to have more of a informative conversation with my vet on Monday. Those fertile periods can occur during any time of the year, but most frequently during spring. If you are not certain that the pups are weaned at 21 days, the males should be removed anyway to prevent pregnancy. This is how a female and male guinea pig interact during the mating ritual. During this time, it is normal for females to double their weight. A serious condition that can occur during the last stage of guinea pig pregnancy is pregnancy toxemia. Females can become pregnant immediately after giving birth so make sure that there are no males nearby. The duration of pregnancy is inversely proportional to the litter size. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. Only hold her if necessary. Enjoy! The typical gestation period (the time that the guinea pig is pregnant) is 59 - 72 days, with the average pregnancy lasting around two months, or 63 days. Remove any other pregnant sows. Like we said, if you plan to keep the babies, you should keep them separate. Finally, feed your guinea pig high quality hay and pellets throughout its pregnancy. Instead, coax her onto a towel or into a box. During the last two weeks of pregnancy, do not handle the sow. 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. Do not rely on foods that list added Vitamin C as an ingredient. Wondering how old your precious guinea pigs are in human years? Again, if you need to handle your cavy, do so in a gentle manner, grasping her securely yet comfortably, to ensure full support of her body. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. Bloody uterine discharge and straining longer than 30 minutes requires a medical examination. The sow should gradually put on weight. 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. Never provide a multi-vitamin. Covering the sleep section of the cage with a towel so she feels cozy and safe. The guinea pigs won't need to make a nest to give birth. guinea pigs concerned are given unlimited access to plenty of fresh, green meadow hay to keep them occupied - this will often stop the problem. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Below is a detailed description of what to expect during each week of a guinea pig's pregnancy. Naturally bald areas. Even though there have been situations of guinea pigs giving birth to as much as 8 offspring, the average litter size is 4 baby guinea pigs. A neutered male guinea pig can still impregnate a female Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. A female guinea pig can fall pregnant immediately after giving birth. Guinea Pig Years to Human Years: How Old is Your Cavy in Human Years? Vitamin C supplements should be given orally at a regiment of 10 mg a day. Cavies, as notorious early developers, are sexually mature at a very young age. How to confirm your guinea pig's pregnancy? If the other sow eats it, their own pregnancy may be induced. Is It Safe to Breed Cavies? The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. Guinea pigs are pregnant for approximately 58 to 72 days. Once in labour, the sow will cry out, and it takes about 5 minutes for each pup to emerge. Can Guinea Pigs Live Alone? Thats why the best age for a guinea pig to get pregnant is between 4 and 7 months of age. To find out how to house your guinea pig during pregnancy and how to prepare for it to give birth, keep reading! Guinea pigs are without a doubt cute, and baby guinea pigs climb twice as high on the cuteness ladder. This causes mineral deficiency. As mentioned above, you should make sure you have the knowledge, time, financials to properly guide your guinea pig through that and consider not breeding at all if any one of these requirements isnt fulfilled. My guinea pig is pregnant, and I'm worried she might be sick. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The early stage consists of the first few days after mating. Examine the shape of the cavy's genital opening. 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. To prevent high stress levels, which can lead to disease, keep your guinea pig away from direct sunlight. Week 1. If the sow becomes uninterested in food contact your veterinarian immediately. The age of the sow plays a huge row in making the decision. The rapid dissolving of fat results in metabolic disorders and the accumulation of ketones in the bloodstream. Although the guinea pig gestation period varies, the guinea pig gestation period typically lasts between 59-72 days. A cesarian section surgery will likely be necessary. 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. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. ", 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. Guinea pigs should be split into same-sex groups at 3 weeks old. Their shapes are very cylindrical-like and can be compared to tangerines in body appearance. The ultrasound will also be able to confirm how many pups there are, and how many of them are alive. Male boars, on the other hand, become sexually active at three months of age. If there is a likelihood any of the pups are born with this condition you must decide what action you will take. We took her to vet for check up.. Vitamin C is highly unstable and breaks down within 8 weeks of the manufacturing date. When its utterly necessary make sure she has the support of her hips. If the weight does not pick up, or a pup does not improve with additional feeding, consult the vet. Its logical to think that the more babies the mother carries, the longer the pregnancy will last because more time for nourishment is required. If they do survive the first week they have a shorter than normal life expectancy and will require large amounts of medical care throughout their lives. Every pregnancy varies from individual to individual but there's definitely a silver lining, just as with any other space.Not only will we dive deeper into how you can actually find out if your piggy might be pregnant and how you can take steps and precautions towards their delivery date.Just a disc. 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. If you hold her carefully by the shoulders when she's on . Thats when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. As she goes into labor she will release out a cry. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. My guinea pig's quite fat, but when we went to the vet, she wasn't pregnant. Males take a little longer and are typically sexually mature by 8 to 9 weeks of age. These pups may die within a few days of birth, or may live for several years. The boar must be removed by 50 days as he may continue to mount her which can be stressful or painful in later pregnancy, and she could become pregnant again as early as two hours after the birth. Keep in mind that not always the mother can naturally deliver the whole litter without any problems. Discovered how versatile a. So, if you're collecting items in preparation for the guinea pig babies, you may have only two months to get it all done! Sows older than 2 years that werent bred before are most at risk. Having somewhere to hide will reduce stress. Clean the water bottle weekly to prevent the build-up of algae and bacteria. Enriching the guinea pigs diet with kale, broccoli, green peppers, and parsley is also advised. The placenta contains hormones which can trigger contractions. Contact Us. Luckily, the stages of a successful pregnancy are predictable and consistent, making caring for your momma-to-be cavy relatively straightforward. They interact with voices and gestures to show you everything they feel. If the water bottle is usually placed high-up, provide a second water bottle lower down so that the sow does not have to stretch if she does not want to. The guinea pig may die during or after pregnancy due to complications during pregnancy or birth, or from toxemia after birth. When you are sure the birth is over, you can assist the sow in cleaning by removing any stained bedding. When there is a dominant male, theres a likelihood that the other males wont try to interact with the mother. Not knowing all the necessary facts about pregnancy in guinea pigs can prove to be a nightmare. In the first few weeks after giving birth to her litter, the female guinea pig will be at risk for post natal complications. 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. Mares that have been bred during the first quarter of the year will often carry their foals for . What any professional on the matter will tell you is not to breed your guinea if you are still in the process of making the final decision. :)", understand just in case for the future as well, thanks so much for the info. If I felt my pregnant guinea pig's belly and caused her a miscarriage, what would the signs be? ), Will Guinea Pigs Kill Each Other? Thats because they dont want other males to approach her. Do not cut pellets to reduce the chance of larger pups or attempt to put a pregnant overweight sow on a diet. If you have not removed males yet, do so at this point. Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. As with most animals, there's not a set number of days that a guinea pig is pregnant. Pet shops are notoriously bad for sexing guinea pigs and may have mis-sexed one of your guinea pigs. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. Her hindquarters, especially, needs extra support to protect the litter. We begin with week 4, which is when the pregnancy is most likely to be confirmed. As the pregnancy develops, carefully check the guinea pig twice a week for signs of illness, like crusty eyes or a patchy coat. The pups will likely lose weight for the first three days, but after this it should pick up again. Pups will each have their own amniotic sac, which the sow normally removes and ingests. Fruits should usually be given sparingly to guinea pigs because the acid can give them mouth ulcers. Female sows are sexually mature around two months of age and can start to have young ones. He is an exotic vet. 2. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Guinea Pig Death Process Dead or in Shock? After the commotion of a mating ritual, keep a close eye on the sow. Nonetheless, at this stage, allow the female cavy to eat and drink as much as she would like. Inversely, the longer the pregnancy is, the fewer pups the litter contains. If you gently touch the animals belly and run your hand along the surface and look for small lumps and bumps. I have been given an 8 week old guinea pig that is pregnant, and her half-sister. The vet may try to manipulate the piglet into a position where the mother can pass it. Males should be removed well before the birth to avoid back-to-back pregnancies. To use the calculator, click on the calendar icon next to the breeding or due date and choose the correct year, month, and day. Right now, it is imperative to ensure the pregnant guinea is in a stress-free environment. And, truth be told, it can certainly be a tricky, stress-ridden adventure for experienced cavy owners as well. 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. Remember guinea pigs are social animals and should be kept in groups, so if you own both a boar and a sow make sure to provide company of the same sex for both of them. (Complete Setup), Do Guinea Pigs Eat Carrots? If you do decide to breed them, ensure your sow is young enough (but not too young) so there are less chances of complications. Phone: 06 758 4006. Whilst a pup becoming stuck in the birth canal or born breech is common, never intervene yourself. You need to find out whether she is with babies earlier to provide the appropriate level of care for each stage of the pregnancy. A female may accidentally injure the babies by squashing them and babies are prone to escaping cages, so check up on them regularly. Publisher: Pergamon, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Care-for-a-Pregnant-Guinea-Pig-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-a-Pregnant-Guinea-Pig-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Care-for-a-Pregnant-Guinea-Pig-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid711031-v4-728px-Care-for-a-Pregnant-Guinea-Pig-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"