unlocking this expert answer. Make the habit of repeatedly measuring your pets weight, at least twice a month. The duration of pregnancy is 60 to 70 days, because of this guinea pigs give birth to well developed young. Their shapes are very cylindrical-like and can be compared to tangerines in body appearance. For young guinea pigs, this may include supplementing her diet with Critical Care of a similar product. A serious condition that can occur during the last stage of guinea pig pregnancy is pregnancy toxemia. Support wikiHow by Guinea pigs are pregnant for 58-73 days. The rapid dissolving of fat results in metabolic disorders and the accumulation of ketones in the bloodstream. Guinea pig mother lactates for 2-3 weeks. Post the number on a piece of paper next to the guinea pigs hutch/cage. This is because sperm can survive in his tubes for this length of time. Any apparent change of behavior in means of lethargy, anorexia, or depression can be a sign of sickness. they were both female and have been living together. Place it in a sheltered part of the hutch, away from draughts. With all this said, don't be surprised if your guinea pig falls pregnant while she still seems young to you. However, with the proper care, this risk can be significantly reduced and your pregnant guinea pig can be kept in good health. However, both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier. Thats when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. This article received 14 testimonials and 88% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. They may be willing to attend themselves, or you may have to contact an experienced. Research source Excess vitamin C is passed in the urine so cant be over-dosed, but other vitamins can build up and create problems. 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. You can also find the breeding date if you know the labor date. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). She may, if he persists, even urinate on him. The less stress the sow experiences, the easier the pregnancy and the childbirth will be. If there is a likelihood any of the pups are born with this condition you must decide what action you will take. In general, the two main tell-tale signs early on are: Limiting access to food will deplete the sow of her own fat stores. Establish a daily routine with set times and stick to it, to provide consistency. The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. They will have been eating solids from a few days old so will cope without their mothers milk at this age. During this time, it is normal for females to double their weight. 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. 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? In fact, you may even wonder if your cavy is actually pregnant. This is to prepare for the birth to come! The male, when courting a female, will physically display himself with actions like rumbling, standing upright before the sow, and approaching her with a lowered head. Adding a soft, fleece blanket to her sleeping area. (Complete Setup), Do Guinea Pigs Eat Carrots? Guinea pigs reach sexual maturity very early, around 2-4 months of age. Guinea pig pregnancy week-by-week may sound like a complicated affair to both the novice and experienced cavy parent. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? At around 4 weeks into a guinea pig's pregnancy the sow's abdomen and lower sides will become more firm than usual. She may carry several pups, between one and six, and they're carried in the womb for 58 73 days. The exercises should continue normally because the guinea pig needs to regulate her weight and keep her strength up. Vitamin C supplements should be given orally at a regiment of 10 mg a day. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. You should also provide a box, like a small shoe box on its side. The middle stage is up until the seventh week of pregnancy. Having somewhere to hide will reduce stress. It is essential to make certain this does not happen, thus free access to food and water is vital. Discovered how versatile a. Otherwise, a c-section may be necessary. Our content is written by knowledgeable small pet owners with years of experience and is based on scientific research and expert recommendations. The pups are born with open eyes and covered in fur. The male on, the other hand, will put on his manly display but will still approach the saw with a lowered head. Pregnancy is hard work for a female guinea pig. There is, however, a thin line between sounding heartwarming and scary when people say the words guinea pig pregnancy. Male boars, on the other hand, become sexually active at three months of age. The majority of guinea pigs give birth during daylight. Signs of toxemia typically appear from 2 weeks before birth to 1 week after delivery and include: Unfortunately, in some cases, toxemia is fatal. Guinea Pig Reproduction and Gestation Guinea pigs have a lifespan of 4 to 8 years and reach sexual maturity at an early age. 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! As soon as you suspect a successful mating, supplement the females usual. Nonetheless, at this stage, allow the female cavy to eat and drink as much as she would like. Make any changes as early as possible in the pregnancy, when the stress will have less of an effect on the sow. Pet stores often keep both sexes together, resulting in many people being sold sows which are already pregnant. He is an exotic vet. So, while neutering means he cannot produce more sperm, he could still theoretically sire offspring for a short time after castration. Guinea pigs are without a doubt cute, and baby guinea pigs climb twice as high on the cuteness ladder. This article has been viewed 326,562 times. As with most animals, there's not a set number of days that a guinea pig is pregnant. Remember that Omni's guinea . 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. 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. guinea pigs concerned are given unlimited access to plenty of fresh, green meadow hay to keep them occupied - this will often stop the problem. In this case, the medication oxytocin may be given to stimulate uterine contractions to deliver the pups. This allows you to gauge what is normal, so that if she becomes unwell and stops eating, or becomes very thirsty, you will pick up clues early on. Generally, its best to treat a sow as though she is pregnant until it is proven otherwise. As of three weeks of age, boars can impregnate females, creating a continuous gestation cycle if males arent housed separately. Clean the water bottle weekly to prevent the build-up of algae and bacteria. Mother strains for 15 minutes without producing a pup. Instead, coax her onto a towel or into a box. However, even without the mothers milk baby guinea pigs can survive feeding only on solid food. Thats why there are some obvious signs for any owner to notice whether his/her guinea pig is carrying babies. It is entirely possible for a male pup to impregnate its mother or sisters. The birth canals of these animals are very narrow. Guinea Pig Years to Human Years: How Old is Your Cavy in Human Years? Depression Incoming! A first-timer will not gain as much weight, but generally will weigh 35 ounces or more by the time she gives birth. 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. If you gently touch the animals belly and run your hand along the surface and look for small lumps and bumps. Even though you can assist the birthing by yourself, its always better to leave it to licensed professionals. I have been given an 8 week old guinea pig that is pregnant, and her half-sister. How Big of a Cage for Two Guinea Pigs? If you have not removed males yet, do so at this point. The gestation period in guinea pigs varies between 59 and 72 days. Never offer the same vegetable two days running. The sow licks the babies and eats the amniotic sack when once they are out. She does so, as well, with the placenta. 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. Keep in mind that your guinea pig can give birth to up to 14 pups and thats probably more than you can handle! They may prescribe treatment that includes injections of dextrose solutions, steroids and calcium, which may or may not be effective. Only this way, serious delivery problems can be avoided. Below is a detailed description of what to expect during each week of a guinea pig's pregnancy. Like we said, if you plan to keep the babies, you should keep them separate. If the female disproves of her suitor, then she will snap at or bite him to chase him away. Interesting Fact: The shorter the pregnancy is, the larger the litter size is. Right now, it is imperative to ensure the pregnant guinea is in a stress-free environment. The canal is fully fused by the 7-8thmonth of age both in unbred female and male guinea pigs. Male guinea pigs are very territorial so when they mate they spray the female with their urine. A visit to the vet will help determine if your cavy is pregnant. An average guinea pig weighs about 26 ounces before she becomes pregnant. Its also cheaper in the long run than disposable bedding, eco-friendly, and doesnt contain dust that, Read More Fleece Bedding for Guinea Pigs: Pros and Cons & How to Use ItContinue, A true favorite among small pets, guinea pigs are no doubt unique, sweet little creatures. Female guinea pigs sexually mature as early as 2 months of age. The milk provides some very important nutrients for the babies. Guinea Pig Eye Infection What You Should Do? Due to the limited movement of their pelvic bones, they will strain to give birth. 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. Examine the shape of the cavy's genital opening. Stillbirth isnt totally uncommon and you should remain calm. The pups do not require a heat lamp or heating pad. They interact with voices and gestures to show you everything they feel. Reduce exposure to loud noises or bright lights. But taking in mind the previously mentioned signs you can suspect pregnancy if any one of them is present. The guinea pigs won't need to make a nest to give birth. The onset is generally sudden and progress rather quicker than you are reporting. As a species, they also increase their food intake in the winter. The gestation period is between 59-72 days, with an average pregnancy of 65 days. When you are sure the birth is over, you can assist the sow in cleaning by removing any stained bedding. Do not rely on foods that list added Vitamin C as an ingredient. Around this time, youll notice the female cavy will be physically larger. This article made the information I, "This helped a lot. % of people told us that this article helped them. One more way to detect guinea pig pregnancy is the smell of the pet. Male guinea pigs as young as 3 weeks old can impregnate a female, and a female guinea pig as young as a month old, can get pregnant. Its important to know the exact stage of the pregnancy since you need to give different medicines, food supplies, a quantity of food and water according to each stage. also her pelvic bones will widen from being clamped shut to about an inch and a half. From this time on, they have a continuous estrus every 16-18 days. In the best-case scenario, make arrangements to have a visiting vet check her every once in a while. These images range from super small baby bumps to plus-size pregnancy belly bump pictures showing the week-by-week pregnancy development. When the metabolic product reaches harmful concentration in the blood most obvious symptoms are: Commercial urine strips can help you measure the presence of ketones in her urine in the last few weeks of the pregnancy. The least expensive, easiest, and safest breeding prevention is to house sows and boars separately. Weigh your sow weekly to be certain she is gaining weight at a regular pace. Required fields are marked *. 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. What Does a Baby Guinea Pig Look Like? 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. Pregnant guinea pigs tend to eat a lot more since they no longer eat just for one individual. The vet will assess the guinea pigs condition. Other potential complications are prolapse, retained placenta, uterine tears, etc. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. The mothers weight will vary for a few days whilst she re-adjusts but should settle within five days. Females can have estrous or fertile periods at any time of the year, but they are most common in the spring. In both cases, your pet needs to be seen by a vet. The baby guinea pigs can be physically felt 2 to 4 weeks into pregnancy. A female cavy uses a lot of her energy during this time, and thus requires a healthy, balanced diet that is appropriate for her during gestation. Fleece bedding comes in many styles, looks great, and is comfortable on guinea pigs feet. The sow starts to prefer fruits and vegetables with high vitamin C content. If you are not certain that the pups are weaned at 21 days, the males should be removed anyway to prevent pregnancy. Season: A mare's gestation period can be impacted by the season. It tends to affect overweight sows delivering their first and second litter. 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