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. In most cases, a sow will handle her labor, deliver the babies, clean them off, and bite off the umbilical cord. First things first. There are three stages of the farrowing process; pre-farrowing, farrowing, and after-birth expulsion. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Rodent and rabbit medicine. With cute little fingers, hair, and adorable teeth, open ears & eyes, they are just the apt definition of awesomeness! Make note of the time and amount of water during each refill. Diet. It is not enough if you understand that. Can You Dye a Guinea Pig? Offer veggies and some treats to the mother to help her regain her strength. Sometimes, they prolapse their uterus, and you will need to get to a vet. I do have a personal connection to use if necessary, but hoping all goes well. She still has at least 2 viable pups inside and is acting fine. Avoid making changes to a pregnant sow's cage, like removing toys or putting the cage in a totally new location. Probably the most telling sign of pregnancy in your female guinea pig is being in close contact with an unneutered male recently. 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! Although, guinea pigs tend to eat extra in cold weather too. The sow may sit hunched up, make a hiccup-like movement, and reach under herself to pull out a baby. Keep this in mind when deciding to start this process. My guinea pig is a female American guinea pig. If you let your guard down after one litter being born, without watching the females interaction with un-neutered males, the mother who just delivered a litter could get knocked up once again! It causes the pregnant cavy to have low calcium levels and high blood pressure. Pregnancy ketosis is something to worry about with pregnant guinea pigs. Once, I had a friend who didnt care about a drastic weight change in his female guinea pig. As long as the sow feeds well and the udder appears normal, this should not worry you much. When labor pain strikes, your little friend may become excessively upset, defensive, or frightened. Thanks for helping me realize that she is pregnant after all! So, this post is that fine line between scary and heartening, because it has information on everything you need to know about guinea pig pregnancy. But to anyone who has thought of breeding.DON'T!!! However, if your sow is not yet mature and is less than 6-8 months of age, she will still be growing and thus weight gain may not be indicative of pregnancy. Even a slight mishandling could lead to enormous amounts of pain. In guinea pigs, you may be able to feel the tiny pups forming inside the sow. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_13',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_14',128,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-2-0_1');.narrow-sky-2-multi-128{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}After birth, the recovery is pretty speedy in guinea pigs. Still, huge numbers of guinea pigs experience a difficult birthing process due to late breeding and poor health. Its also another way of controlling breeding. Babies are so cute! Once theyve reached a length of about two fingers, theres little left for the litter to be born. Of course, much much cuter! The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Research source On the other hand, boars should be at least 34 months old before mating. After some bleeding last night, I stayed up with her and she had no signs of contractions or labor. These little critters can be one solid color, two colors, or tri-colored! (Plus Tips to Keep Warm)Continue, Guinea pigs are well-known and adored for their plump, bean-like bodies. They are not only adorable, but they are also quite intelligent, have docile temperaments, making them suitable for families with kids and new pet owners. Signs of Pregnancy. Use your dominant hand to feel her belly. JavaScript is disabled. Select from the 0 categories from which you would like to receive articles. Required fields are marked *, Affiliate Disclosure: VIVOPets.com 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. There should be little or no blood, especially before any babies have been produced. In long-haired breeds, it gets even worse. Difficulty in giving birth is a common problem with female guinea pigs. The sow will sit very squarely, and make a "hiccupping" type of motion. Moreover, neutering does not take immediate effect. Sooner when the motherly impulse slowly sinks in, they may take up their maternal role. If she is fluffed up, or has any signs of illness, get her to a vet immediately. So you wouldnt have to worry about them running away to places they are not supposed to go. And hand those records to your vert during his weekly visit so that he can comprehend the situation in hand better. Toxemia is the result of a metabolic imbalance, which causes the guinea pig to become gravely ill. Calcium deficiency often displays similar symptoms, but it is the result of a calcium imbalance, whereas toxemia happens due to internal complications associated with impaired blood supply to the uterus. I WILL interfere if she is biting the babies, or attacking them. Copyright 2023 - VIVO Pets. In scenarios where the sow has a large litter, she may be weary and overwhelmed handling the pups. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Guinea pigs show affection to their newborn pups and nurse them immediately. Common pregnancy complications include metabolic imbalance, difficult birthing, and postpartum issues like seizures. However, there are some signs you can watch for at home. Moreover, guinea pigs give birth to large and precocial pups. Find out more about the NEW, drastically improved site and forum! Being able to feel the babies. A pregnant guinea pig is also at a higher risk of pregnancy ketosis resulting from appetite loss, large litter size, or underdeveloped blood vessels in the uterus (mostly inherited). After the whole birth process, make sure to clean your pets cage. Give the female time to raise her young ones alone. They will lick and lick till you think she is trying to remove their fur. If you think you dont have the resources or knowledge to deal with a guinea pigs pregnancy, we recommend that you dont put your animal through this process. The first noticeable sign on a pregnant sow is an increased appetite. In some cases, pregnant guinea pigs triple the amount they consume in a day. An expectant guinea pig is one source of concern even to experienced pet owners. Since they no longer eat just for them, but also for the baby piggies inside, they eat more than the usual amount. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. have company. Next, check your guinea pig's weight, since her weight will almost double during pregnancy. Female chinchillas have an estrus cycle of about 28 days, but they are only able to become . The larger the size of the litter, the shorter the time they could stay inside in the same area where a smaller litter could stay longer. That will be a significant step to prevent pregnancy complications these rodents face. At around 8-10 months of age, the pelvis bones of these cavies become tightly fused and unable to retrieve the babies. She Has an Increased Appetite. Fingers crossed for you, my pigs will wheek for your sow! She died along with the litter. 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. Symptoms and Types Bleeding from the uterus/vagina Discomfort/pain Extended straining during labor without actually delivering the fetus Part of the fetus may be seen at the vaginal canal, but the labor does not progress Expected due date comes and goes Causes A pig that goes into heat after breeding is an indication that she isn't pregnant. Remember that a cold climate triggers a guinea pig's appetite. The babies are on their way out. How many babies do guinea pigs get per litter? I researched, stressed, slept . This happens not only in human pregnancy but also in the case of animals. A good idea is to weigh your female guinea pig regularly (perhaps weekly) and to record the weight. Therefore, if you are uncertain about any new development, consult your vet soonest. In the case of any doubt, it's best to consult a trusted specialist. Avoid over-feeding Enjoy! I really enjoyed that it was stressed that the babies don't need to be with dad at, "I love guinea pigs, and when I get one, and then another one, they will probably mate. Make note of all the foods that you offer her, with the quantity and time. Its important to be equipped with guinea pig breeding skills and knowledge before you embark on breeding them. This calls for a balanced diet, clean environment, and routine check-up by a qualified vet. Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'pocketpetcentral_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_2',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Sometimes, surgery could be necessary. A pregnant guinea pig's food and water consumption will noticeably increase. If conception is successful, there are many indicators of pregnancy. They eat solid food right after being born, unlike human babies. Guinea pigs need additional vitamin C during pregnancy, so you might see her favor fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C over those lacking it. On the other hand, keeping a pregnant sow with boars poses a greater danger. Pregnancy is risky for female guinea pigs, particularly for those older than 8 months and younger than 3 months and sows over the age of 2 years who have already had 2 litters. Another sign is a hike in food intake. The gestation period usually lasts about eight and a half to nine weeks. With your non-dominant hand hold her steady around the shoulders, with her head facing away from you. But its not possible; she has to breed with a boar to conceive. Equally, keep them in a clean environment because ammonia fumes from the beddings may affect the pups at birth. Pocketpetcentral.com 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. If at any point her weight begins to fall or if she begins to show signs of illness, consult a vet immediately. How to Train Your Guinea Pig (Tricks & Behavior), What to do When One of Your Guinea Pig Dies? She occasionally reaches under to lick at herself. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. By this time, your pets pelvic bones will have widened enough to make way for the pups during birth. Things to RememberAbout Guinea Pig Pregnancy and Breeding, Terms and Conditions for Pocket pet central, Keeping them in the rooms of your home where loud noises cant be heard, Guinea pigs tend to get stressed when they do not have a pattern in their food, drinking, and outdoor timings. awww. But usually, by the second day, they realize that no one else is tending to these little noisy creatures so they might as well do it. You may also be required to cut the umbilical cord; only use a pair of sterilized scissors or sterilized scalpel blades. There are a few ways you can tell if they are expecting. Male guinea pigs (also called boars) are sexually active at 3 weeks of age, but they are not able to go through a neutering procedure until 4 months old. Make sure you monitor your guinea pigs weight every week. Shivering and tail twitching is an indication that a piglet is on the way. Once she proceeds into labor, giving birth should not take long. Are you keeping any from her other the other mama? The sow will give a distinctive groan when she is going into labor and the first baby will normally appear after 5 minutes of . Another way to tell is if the guinea pig starts to gain weight - this usually happens towards the end of the pregnancy. I am thankful that Bella had 4 healthy pups today and that everyone appears healthy. Right? Are you interested in having a guinea pig as a pet? Mostly, it starts with vulva swelling and teat enlargement. Not always is it ensured that the mother will deliver her litter by natural means. Their gestational period may last between 59 - 72 days. Guinea pigs reach sexual maturity early in their life- as early as six weeks!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-1','ezslot_18',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-1-0'); So, remember that when you are wondering about the probable pregnancy of your guinea pigs. She starts to take care of the babies right away. One way is if the guinea pig's nipples turn pink or red. In order to ensure that both the mother and the young are healthy, its essential to be aware of the changes undergone by this animals body. Another clearly observable sign is the female making hiccup sounds, beginning to crouch down, and licking around her bottom. I have had sows deliver at night, and by morning you would never know she had babies except there are little pigs in the cage! The fetuses were delivered vaginally or surgically after a maximum of 45 min of oxytocin treatment. In theory, guinea pigs can give up to 5 litters per year. However, be aware that other things can feel like bumps in the abdomen. After delivering, the mother needs nutritional assistance. Have a visiting vet every once in a while. Sometimes, the babies come so fast that the Mom has no time to tend to each baby. All in all, if you notice extreme weight gain on your female pets, feel the tummy gently to detect any pregnancy signs. {"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":"