The average number of days female guinea pigs stay pregnant is 65 days. Being able to feel the babies. She has been eating non-stopveggiesthen pelletsnow hay. This is normal behavior for an expectant mother but only in conjunction with the other signs. Yes, its to know whether she interacted with an unneutered male in recent days.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'pocketpetcentral_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_20',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Even though a male guinea pig over three weeks of age is capable of causing pregnancy in a female, neutering is advised only after the age of 4 months. As weeks go by, the mothers belly will become tighter and bulkier. However, it could take 30 minutes or so. So cute! The guinea pig pregnancy duration is long - approximately 59- 72 days (the average is 65 days) - the duration decreases with litter size (i.e. Generally, guinea pig diets have little, Read More Fat Guinea Pig (Causes & Dangers of Health)Continue, Guinea pigs are susceptible to various diseases and infections including Upper respiratory infections. That gives you enough time to attempt breeding after a few weeks when the pig goes into heat. However, be aware that other things can feel like bumps in the abdomen. The signs of pregnancy toxaemia are abrupt onset of depression (quiet, weak, lethargic) and anorexia (not eating). If you are reading this article then most likely the answer is, Yes! Guineas are not for everyone, but those who have them love their pets dearly. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Guinea pigs bred when below seven months of age have a good chance of maintaining pregnancy and giving birth naturally and successfully in the future. Being wrong about the pregnancy couldnt hurt more than the consequences of neglecting it!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-netboard-1','ezslot_15',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-netboard-1-0'); There are actual people that I know who neglected the weight gain in their guinea pigs. Safe for the last pregnancy stages, pregnant sows can coexist with others. I love all animals and love writing about them. So having their cagemates with them could be a good choice. Most terribly, you may lose both the sow and her babies. Because yeah, more the number, more the time to nourish them, sounds logical. Thus, an increased desire for food may not always indicate pregnancy. You may also be required to cut the umbilical cord; only use a pair of sterilized scissors or sterilized scalpel blades. This implies that it must obtain the essential vitamins and minerals for the correct development of the offspring. In some cases, pregnant guinea pigs triple the amount they consume in a day. The Estrus cycle in guinea pigs occurs spontaneously. Proper knowledge about breeding these animals is important for the survival of the mother and the pups. At what age can guinea pigs mate? Once she proceeds into labor, giving birth should not take long. Not all guinea pigs are capable of handling the stress of a pregnancy. Still, huge numbers of guinea pigs experience a difficult birthing process due to late breeding and poor health. have company. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. Of course, much much cuter! Keep in mind! Sometimes you can see the pups moving around the stomach. Carpathian Shepherd Dog: All About this Breed. After you dry it off, put it back down beside the Mom. With your non-dominant hand hold her steady around the shoulders, with her head facing away from you. If you see hunching up, the hiccup-like movement, your guinea pig is looking at her back end . Equally, keep them in a clean environment because ammonia fumes from the beddings may affect the pups at birth. But when pregnant, the mother needs to enrich herself for the pain she is about to endure and should provide nutrition for her babies. Males are territorial. Pregnant guinea pigs are particularly vulnerable to illness as a result of stress during pregnancy. This happens not only in human pregnancy but also in the case of animals. Moreover, neutered males can live together with female guinea pigs. If you suspect that your female guinea pig may be pregnant, then it is best to consult your veterinarian. Keep this in mind when deciding to start this process. The babies are on their way out. So you wouldnt have to worry about them running away to places they are not supposed to go. There should be little or no blood, especially before any babies have been produced. One, it could be your baby guinea pigs. Most inexperienced Guinea pig "breeders" do not understand this concept. Signs of Pregnancy. Its a go-ahead! Laber-Laird & Flecknell. JavaScript is disabled. Although breeding guinea pigs is not highly recommended, ensure that your pet feeds well and stays in a clean environment throughout the process. Assist your piggy by removing the birth sac from the babies head and body. After just a couple of weeks, you should notice your pet gaining weight, and the size of the abdomen becoming very noticeable. After all, we know that they can handle quite a bit of fluctuation in temperature and survive things like hailstorms and hurricanes. If your piggies appear underweight with seemingly no explanation, its important to take action immediately. Its that period when you need to focus on caring for your pregnant guinea pig. When the pig is close to delivering, the pelvis bones will contract and spread apart. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! Then I followed the steps that say how to take, "My guinea pig was acting strange. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. In most cases, a sow will handle her labor, deliver the babies, clean them off, and bite off the umbilical cord. They can't replace the diagnosis, advice, or treatment from a professional. She still has at least 2 viable pups inside and is acting fine. Lets see! But everything I have ready says that bleeding is not normal and go to a vet. This page might contain affiliate links, which will earn us a commission. 2 Remove any boars. First things first. Its a stage after fertilization, and the zygote is in its early stage of development. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. You can also hold the guinea pig gently on the shoulders with one hand and the other hand feeling the pregnant belly. Can You Dye a Guinea Pig? Their physical and mental well-being are directly linked to their emotional state. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Then they started to do an unusual sound, which I suspected was a mating call. While there are many hereditary diseases that you should foresee, there are several other basic tests too. If there is a sensitive stage that requires extra care and caution, it is during pregnancy in guinea pigs. References Moreover, remove any other soiled bedding from the area and leave a clean and comfortable room for the mother to care for the young. ", How to Tell if Your Guinea Pig Is Pregnant, Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/small-pet-care/guinea-pig-care, http://kb.rspca.org.au/I-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-I-do_354.html, http://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, https://petguineapigcare.com/breeding-babies/, saber si tu conejilla de Indias est preada, , Saber se seu Porquinho da ndia Fmea est Grvida, Erkennen ob dein Meerschweinchen trchtig ist, savoir si son cochon d'Inde attend des petits. But what, Read More Can Guinea Pigs Freeze to Death? But it contains more than necessary amounts for a regular guinea pig. To Avoid Stress, You Need to Take Several Measures Obviously. Try to provide a welcoming and stress-free environment for your pet during these final weeks. Report any suspected problem right away. I guess it is not too difficult to believe that hormone levels go crazy during pregnancy irrespective of which animal it is. This can occur from 2 weeks before until 2 weeks after the birth. The other? She is eating a lot, drinking, and moving about the cage normally. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_3',122,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Well, not too many similarities are shared by guinea pigs and humans in their pregnancy. As early as six weeks of age. Usually, a guinea pig's pregnancy lasts from 59-72 days. One way is if the guinea pig's nipples turn pink or red. Again, it could also be because of fat. Mostly, guinea pigs deliver during the day and rarely at night. Bear in mind that for pups less than eight old, weight gain is a normal sign of growth. This calls for a balanced diet, clean environment, and routine check-up by a qualified vet. Guinea pigs are brilliantly expressive creatures. She still has at least 2 living babies. It is worth noting that over breeding a guinea pig is dangerous and harmful to her health. Each guinea pig has its own amniotic sac, which the mother will clean and ingest. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Diseases such as toxemia are caused easily in pregnant females. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Its just the same in guinea pigs. It happens when you have no idea your piggy pet is expectant, and it catches you by surprise by giving birth. H3N2 and H1N2 to reduce clinical signs and viral lung load after infection. Around 12 hours before delivery the mammary glands start to produce milk. Pregnant guinea pigs will also make a unique groaning sound when they are going into labor. Diet. In reality, close to 20% of expectant sows die while giving birth. She drinks a lot of water, and the weight gain is noticeable. The sow with the record of delivering many piglets had 14. For instance, the mean pregnancy length for one guinea pig litter is 70 days, while a litter of six guinea pigs can take 67 days. So, it should not come as a surprise if female and male pups are kept in one enclosure. You shouldnt give it less food than it needs, nor overfeed it. But to anyone who has thought of breeding.DON'T!!! Copyright 2023 - VIVO Pets. From early on, though, your guinea pig will eat and drink more than usual. I'm so excited, she getting so big. Apart from injuring your sow, they may attempt to mate or impregnate her soon after birth. They will be getting small bits from the mothers dish. This is because the strain and pressure implicated puts at risk the life of a female guinea pig. This is when the single-celled zygote develops into full baby guinea pigs by cell division. Fingers crossed for you, my pigs will wheek for your sow! If you see your sow bleeding, more than a tablespoon, dripping blood, or many pieces of bloody bedding with no babies, you are best advised to get to a vet. It could be a disease causing the accumulation of excess metabolic products.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'pocketpetcentral_com-netboard-2','ezslot_16',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-netboard-2-0'); Either way, one thing is pretty clear: You have to take your guinea pig to the vet. Between 1 and 8 guinea pig babies with 4 being the most common number of guinea pigs per litter. There are various signs of pregnancy in guinea pigs. Try and make sure that the afterbirths have been delivered. Once, I had a friend who didnt care about a drastic weight change in his female guinea pig. We can understand why a guinea pig would need extra comfort during pregnancy, given that she does not move as much as she used to. The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) displays many features of gestational physiology that makes it the most translationally relevant rodent species. Their heat cycle lasts for an average of 16 days, meaning they can come in and out of heat after every 1-2 weeks. Quality feeding and proper care of the pregnant guinea pig prepare her for sound delivery. Their uterus is a "U" shape that leads to the vaginal cannel. Before going into labor some guinea pigs produce grunt sounds. Her body will be positioned in a down-squat on all four legs. A female guinea pig is pregnant for 59-72 days. So when they mate with a female, they mark the female with their urine!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-sky-3','ezslot_21',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-sky-3-0'); Since every individual has a separate scent profile, other males would not approach the urinated female! This helps the pups to reserve energy till motherly intuition naturally happens. Just because they can get pregnant again, doesnt mean that it wont have adverse effects on their well being, not just physically but also emotionally. I am glad all is well! Ensure the pig has access to high calcium greens, e.g., spinach, Lambs Lettuce, dandelion greens, etc., and plenty of fresh water. Note that your guinea requires a balanced diet more than ever. Although some pregnant guinea pigs become excessively lazy during the last few days, others behave normally to the last day. Yeah, tests are very very important to take appropriate care of your pregnant guinea pig. The first noticeable sign on a pregnant sow is an increased appetite. Its important to determine with your cavy vet when your piggy is likely to give birth and monitor her closely in case of any problem. However, there are some signs you can watch for at home. An average adult guinea pig weighs 1-2 pounds and will double their weight just before the piglets are born. So then, waiting until the pig is sexually mature is paramount, plus it should not be too old to give birth. Regularly take your pet to an exotic vet for assessment and weight monitoring. Try to find a vet who specializes in rodents and other small animals, rather than just a generic vet. Even if your pet has completed the farrowing process, there are vital signs you should observe. If she excessively bites and attacks her babies, keep her in a secluded place before reintroducing the pups back. I do not breed. Guinea pigs can shift from their usual behaviors and behave significantly differently when pregnant. Not knowing how to care for your furry pal when shes pregnant makes the whole thing scary, while knowing all about it makes the news heartening. But to a pregnant guinea pig, it does! Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 450,304 times. The vet feels like her pubic symphysis is separated a small amount (which is hopeful that she is not fused). The mothers lactation period lasts for about two or three weeks. What Are the Signs a Guinea Pig is Pregnant? An expectant guinea pig is one source of concern even to experienced pet owners. Note that the guinea pig gestation period decreases with litter size. Like with eating more, you cannot assume that weight gain means your guinea pig is pregnant. If you are a woman reading this I bet that you are thinking thank god there aint anything like that in humans!. At eight months of age, the pelvis of a guinea pig female (sow) starts to fuse, and if she hasnt farrowed before, delivering her pups can be more difficult. In addition, you may want to increase your guinea pig's fiber intake. Otherwise, he will be dragging the placenta around. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. Hello,Normal guinea pig labor is short with few signs that it is going on. He was lonely, so my family decided to get a girl for him to. The pig occupies a lot of space too. Are you keeping any from her other the other mama? Grooming requires a lot of handling. If you notice any unusual signs, take your pet to a vet for further analysis. So, even a male who was neutered only a few weeks before could cause pregnancy in females. But its not possible; she has to breed with a boar to conceive. Read more about this in our helpful guide. Their gestational period may last between 59 - 72 days. How many babies do guinea pigs get per litter? Male guinea pigs will continue to mount pregnant sows, which can cause stress or pain to your pregnant sow late in the pregnancy (after the 50-day mark). If you have two pregnant guinea pigs and live peacefully with each other, you may want to keep them in the same cage. You can crop their hair to maintain hygiene, even if you cannot cut it perfectly. We did an ultrasound. Pregnancy can have a number of complications for the sow, the female guinea pig, including toxaemia (metabolic imbalance), dystocia (difficulty giving birth), and post-partum difficulties (such as seizures due to low calcium levels). Although, guinea pigs tend to eat extra in cold weather too. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid666376-v4-728px-Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
