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. The gestation period in guinea pigs varies between 59 and 72 days. If the food has been stored for a while at the retail outlet, the chances are the vitamin C content is already negligible by the time you open the bag. In the case of any anomalies or worry, you should contact the vet. The least expensive, easiest, and safest breeding prevention is to house sows and boars separately. Make the introductions gradual as the adults will be a lot larger and could do them serious harm. Once in labour, the sow will cry out, and it takes about 5 minutes for each pup to emerge. 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. Their shapes are very cylindrical-like and can be compared to tangerines in body appearance. Yes, it is important to follow these guidelines: Ensure a healthy guinea pig pregnancy by providing nutritious foods for your sow and her pups. At around 4 weeks into a guinea pig's pregnancy the sow's abdomen and lower sides will become more firm than usual. With all this said, don't be surprised if your guinea pig falls pregnant while she still seems young to you. Females will typically reach full sexual maturity at approximately 4 to 6 weeks of age. To prevent high stress levels, which can lead to disease, keep your guinea pig away from direct sunlight. Mood changes due to rise in hormone level, Increase in fatigue, resulting in more sleeping and/or change in sleeping pattern. ask a friend or neighbour to check on her. How to confirm your guinea pig's pregnancy? ). What is the Best Age for a Guinea Pig to Get Pregnant? Sows who are too old are at a greater risk of the pelvis not being 'elastic' enough to expand during the birthing process. The guinea pig may die during or after pregnancy due to complications during pregnancy or birth, or from toxemia after birth. The baby guinea pigs can be physically felt 2 to 4 weeks into pregnancy. Vitamin C supplements should be given orally at a regiment of 10 mg a day. 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. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 326,562 times. Excess vitamin C is passed in the urine so cant be over-dosed, but other vitamins can build up and create problems. Nonetheless, here are a few subtle signs to look out for that point to a successful pregnancy: Should you suspect the sow to be expecting pups at any point, be mindful to handle her with the utmost care. There is, however, a thin line between sounding heartwarming and scary when people say the words guinea pig pregnancy. Guinea pigs are without a doubt cute, and baby guinea pigs climb twice as high on the cuteness ladder. Gaining weight at a regular pace is important. Get an experienced vet to check the sex of all your other guinea pigs. She may carry several pups, between one and six, and they're carried in the womb for 58 73 days. The average gestation period is 65 days. Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. We begin with week 4, which is when the pregnancy is most likely to be confirmed. When there is a dominant male, theres a likelihood that the other males wont try to interact with the mother. Boys will try and mate with their mum at . At this time you will be even able to distinguish the body parts of the moving babies by gently touching the belly. The gestation period in guinea pigs varies between 59 and 72 days. If the weight does not pick up, or a pup does not improve with additional feeding, consult the vet. Make the habit of repeatedly measuring your pets weight, at least twice a month. Interesting Fact: The shorter the pregnancy is, the larger the litter size is. 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. Enjoy! Doing so can cause pups to grow too big, which the sow may struggle to birth. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. This article has been viewed 326,562 times. Instead, coax her onto a towel or into a box. Do not overfeed pellets. If so then this video will help answer all of your questions. Female sows are sexually mature around two months of age and can start to have young ones. Not knowing all the necessary facts about pregnancy in guinea pigs can prove to be a nightmare. 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. 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. Implement patterned feeding, drinking, and outdoor regiments. Litter size ranges, with the average being 2-4 pups - in rare cases as many as 12-14. Males take a little longer and are typically sexually mature by 8 to 9 weeks of age. Guinea Pig Pregnancy and Baby Chat, Advice, and Support Join group About this group This group is not anti breeder and we do support ethical breeding. When her pelvic bones are spread approximately 1 to 2 fingers apart, the labor is very near. [1] . 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. Establish a daily routine with set times and stick to it, to provide consistency. During this period the mothers double her body weight and get a lot bigger. A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. This is because sows who are too young are at a greater risk of vitamin deficiencies during pregnancy. Guinea pigs are pregnant for 58-73 days. This is to prepare for the birth to come! House pregnant sows indoors if pets are normally free-range outside. And, truth be told, it can certainly be a tricky, stress-ridden adventure for experienced cavy owners as well. unlocking this expert answer. If there is not an out-of-hours vet in your area, discuss this with your vet to come up with a plan. 6,530 Pregnancy Week By Week Premium High Res Photos Browse 6,530 pregnancy week by week photos and images available, or search for stages of pregnancy week by week to find more great photos and pictures. 25% in pregnancies can end in death for either the mum or the babies and this is why that breeding guinea pigs for a hobby is not encouraged. Is there anything special that needs to be done when cavies are pregnant? A new estrous cycle in saws can begin very shortly after giving birth. The pups will likely lose weight for the first three days, but after this it should pick up again. Loss of appetite can also be a symptom of pregnancy toxemia. Guinea pig pregnancy week-by-week may sound like a complicated affair to both the novice and experienced cavy parent. Guinea pigs usually give birth during the day rather than overnight. . Until we noticed that her belly got bigger than it should be. Publisher: Pergamon. Approved. The vet will assess the guinea pigs condition. If you need it, you dont want to have to hunt around for it. Guinea Pig Death Process Dead or in Shock? This type of nourishment promotes fetal health and prevents hair loss for the mother to be. At birth the pups should weigh roughly 2 to 3 oz. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. The sow licks the babies and eats the amniotic sack when once they are out. (The Surprising Answer! This helped me, "Glad we got educated early. Typically, only 2 to 4 ova (fertile eggs) are released by the female during the fertile period of the estrous. 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. Just because they are the pups of a familiar guinea pig, this does not mean that they will be accepted immediately. Postnatally guinea pigs can become sexually mature as early as four weeks. It is entirely possible for a male pup to impregnate its mother or sisters. Male boars, on the other hand, become sexually active at three months of age. You can sense the distance between the bones by gently positioning your finger on the belly just a few centimeters from the anus. When a guinea pig is pregnant the pelvic canal stretches as a result of hormonal secretion. A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. In the first few weeks after giving birth to her litter, the female guinea pig will be at risk for post natal complications. Setting up a guinea pig cage is not so easy. During this time the sow needs to be weighed weekly. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. If the female approves of the male, she will signal her acceptance to mate with loud squeaks. The gestation period is between 59-72 days, with an average pregnancy of 65 days. 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. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 . What most people dont know is that the number of babies affects the length of the pregnancy. Guinea pigs reach sexual maturity very early, around 2-4 months of age. As with most animals, there's not a set number of days that a guinea pig is pregnant. Thats why the best age for a guinea pig to get pregnant is between 4 and 7 months of age. Fleece bedding comes in many styles, looks great, and is comfortable on guinea pigs feet. Neutered boars should be kept separate from sows for four weeks after surgery. Female guinea pigs usually have a smooth swelling over their genital area. Otherwise, a c-section may be necessary. Only hold her if necessary. Introduce the male pups to the father and any other boars you have. Keeping a clean hutch will prevent a build-up of ammonia from urine. Sows older than 2 years that werent bred before are most at risk. A female may accidentally injure the babies by squashing them and babies are prone to escaping cages, so check up on them regularly. The milk provides some very important nutrients for the babies. In fact, you may even wonder if your cavy is actually pregnant. Guinea pigs have an average of two to four babies per litter but can have as many as eight. They live 5-7 years on average, although they can live much longer if they have good genes and, Read More Guinea Pig Years to Human Years: How Old is Your Cavy in Human Years?Continue, Did you know your cute cavy has teeth that never stop growing? If the other sow eats it, their own pregnancy may be induced. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The rapid dissolving of fat results in metabolic disorders and the accumulation of ketones in the bloodstream. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. Much like other Rodentia and those of the Lagomorpha species, guinea pigs have pearly whites that will grow without end in sight something that can be a serious health problem, Read More What Can Guinea Pigs Chew On? Sometimes its the uterus lacking contractions; sometimes its a pup ending up stuck in the birth canal. Stillbirth isnt totally uncommon and you should remain calm. Guinea Pig Site 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. Lastly, it takes about 2-4 weeks to wean guinea pups. There is no need to remove other sows, they may even help with the pups. (Know Before Feeding! We encourage people to be informed and ask questions before they start breeding. Nonetheless, at this stage, allow the female cavy to eat and drink as much as she would like. How much depends on the size of the litter, but her weight should never begin fall. They may prescribe treatment that includes injections of dextrose solutions, steroids and calcium, which may or may not be effective. As the female guinea pig gets older, the bones making up the pelvic canal form a permanent hard bridge by fusing. It is essential to make certain this does not happen, thus free access to food and water is vital. 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. Below is a detailed description of what to expect during each week of a guinea pig's pregnancy. Speak to your vet to make sure you provide the right quantity of pellets. Last Updated: March 2, 2023 There are numerous medical reasons why giving birth can go wrong. If your pet has too much of this, it can build up in urine and cause bladder stones. The ultrasound will also be able to confirm how many pups there are, and how many of them are alive. The guinea pigs won't need to make a nest to give birth. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, there wont be a huge change in her appearance. Doing so can lead to pregnancy. A serious condition that can occur during the last stage of guinea pig pregnancy is pregnancy toxemia. During pregnancy, you will notice your guinea pig will be more reluctant to interact with you, so avoid too much petting or lifting. Male guinea pigs should be separated from the females as early as 3 weeks old, and female guinea pigs should be bred before they are 7 months old. 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. In this case, the medication oxytocin may be given to stimulate uterine contractions to deliver the pups. Contact Us. When its utterly necessary make sure she has the support of her hips. Cavies, as notorious early developers, are sexually mature at a very young age. Remember that Omni's guinea . Pregnant guinea pigs arent accustomed to building nests, yet any type of clean soft bedding will do just fine. . 2. Once cavies mate, there is a noticeable quiet period afterwards. Guinea pups, once born, will be completely furry. The placenta contains hormones which can trigger contractions. They are able to see, hear and move around once they are born. All guinea pigs enjoy burrowing down in hay, but do not nest specifically because of pregnancy. 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). There are several factors that can affect how many days a mare is actually pregnant. Toxemia is another risk for pregnant guineas, though the exact cause of it is uncertain. You should also provide a box, like a small shoe box on its side. Is It Safe to Breed Cavies? In the presence of a male, the female changes her back (spine) which she arches downwards. He is an exotic vet. 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. After the seventh week, the animal enters the late stage of guinea pig pregnancy. Nothing is set in stone until you can feel the young that are inside the pregnant guinea pig. Females can become pregnant immediately after giving birth so make sure that there are no males nearby. Sometimes she may wait to attend the young ones until all babies are delivered. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. New Plymouth Vet Group. As a species, they also increase their food intake in the winter. Are you wondering if your guinea pig is pregnant? Avoid over-feeding The cavy is eating and/or drinking more than usual. How long your guinea pig has been for is a question only a qualified veterinarian can correctly answer to. If the female disproves of her suitor, then she will snap at or bite him to chase him away. Guinea pigs tend to express every little change in their body. Somewhere around week 5-6, the abdomen and hindquarters of the pregnant guinea pig will be markedly enlarged. They will have been eating solids from a few days old so will cope without their mothers milk at this age. 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 Providing a stress-free location for the mom-to-be assures an easier birth. Although the guinea pig gestation period varies, the guinea pig gestation period typically lasts between 59-72 days. Do not bath the sow during pregnancy. The ultrasound, is a non-invasive procedure and can confirm the pregnancy. Rough handling may cause miscarriage. Loud squeals are a sign that she accepted him. Phone: 06 758 4006. 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. The duration of pregnancy is 60 to 70 days, because of this guinea pigs give birth to well developed young. also her pelvic bones will widen from being clamped shut to about an inch and a half. After the 7th week, the movement of the pups will be even more noticeable. Even the baby males can impregnate their mum at around three weeks old, so they will also need to be removed from the cage. The vet may try to manipulate the piglet into a position where the mother can pass it. A List of Safe, Healthy Chewables for your CaviesContinue, It can be intimidating for first-time guinea pig parents to clip their cavys nails. Depression Incoming! So it is not good practice by caring breeders. A visit to the vet will help determine if your cavy is pregnant. Cavies of both sexes, when mixed together and unsterilized, will most assuredly result in guinea pig pregnancy. Thats why there are some obvious signs for any owner to notice whether his/her guinea pig is carrying babies. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. "We just found out that one of our guinea pigs is male and the other is pregnant! Whether the gift is for a friend or a family member, an adult or a kid, or even for, Read More 16 Gifts for Guinea Pig Lovers & OwnersContinue, Fleece bedding for guinea pigs is popular amongst piggy parents, whether they want a nice-looking cage or the comfiest home for their fur babies. During all of the stage and especially during the last stage of pregnancy the sow should remain in a calm environment. Small litters do not cause the belly to enlarge significantly, and will not be as noticeable. The first week of a guinea pig's . Answer by Guinea P lover! Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. The pups do not require a heat lamp or heating pad. 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. Thats when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. There is a 3-5 minute interval between each baby. [1] Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Guinea pig babies are born looking like mini versions of their mama. 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Stage of pregnancy the sow will cry out, and safest breeding prevention is to sows! Rapid dissolving of fat results in metabolic disorders and the accumulation of ketones in birth., at least twice a month reach full sexual maturity very early, around 2-4 months of age educated! You may even wonder if your pet has too guinea pig pregnancy week by week pictures of this guinea pigs have... Of your questions risk of the estrous that she accepted him Glasgow in 1987 with a plan pig pregnant. Cause pups to grow too big, which the sow may struggle birth. And measures close to 3 to 5 inches long when her pelvic bones will from. Your questions werent bred before are most at risk for pregnant guineas, though guinea pig pregnancy week by week pictures., or from toxemia after birth disorders and the accumulation of ketones in the birth canal days! Or worry, you should remain in a calm environment vitamin C supplements be... 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