When laboring, sows lay down in the nesting area and become quiet. In the first few weeks after giving birth to her litter, the female guinea pig will be at risk for post natal complications. Lighteninga feeling that the baby has dropped. Risk reduction includes preventing obesity in the mother guinea pig and providing adequate energy in the diet late in gestation. If pregnant, your guinea pig may have a single piglet or up to 3-4. 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. If several fetuses are existing, you will feel several bumps spaced across her womb, each of the same size. 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. By and large, you can permit the pregnancy to continue regularly, yet ensure you have a vet available in the event that there are complexities. Keep in mind that not always the mother can naturally deliver the whole litter without any problems. Female guinea pigs sexually mature as early as 2 months of age. For a smooth delivery, the first procreation should happen between three and seven months of age. Weigh your sow weekly to be certain she is gaining weight at a regular pace. How do you know if your cavy is actually carrying pups? The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to . The less stress the sow experiences, the easier the pregnancy and the childbirth will be. You most likely wont be able to do this without a proper instrument, as she will only probably put on a few grams per day. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. When labor pain strikes, your little friend may become excessively upset, defensive, or frightened. . 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, A true favorite among small pets, guinea pigs are no doubt unique, sweet little creatures. Handle the sow with care and never treat her roughly. Stillbirth isnt totally uncommon and you should remain calm. Ultrasounds are non-intrusive and dont need sedation. 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! Enriching the guinea pigs diet with kale, broccoli, green peppers, and parsley is also advised. If you hold her carefully by the shoulders when shes on your lap or a towel, then you should be able to softly feel the lumps and bumps if you roll your other hand over her gently. JavaScript is disabled. My 14 month old sow, Marmalade, is definenantly pregnant. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? Place the cage away from direct sunlight and from places where there are loud noises present. As a proud piggie parent, it is both your duty and privilege to oversee your guineas nutrition and keep them healthy, happy, and well-fed. Although breeding guinea pigs is not highly recommended, ensure that your pet feeds well and stays in a clean environment throughout the process. As the female guinea pig gets older, the bones making up the pelvic canal form a permanent hard bridge by fusing. Once the pups come out, the mother licks and devours the fetal substances plus the placenta. If any of them seem to bother her or tease her, they will need to be put in a separate cage. If you notice a pup with the sac remaining over its face, break the membrane open with your finger nail. She is at risk of toxemia if the fetuses are taking up more energy than she can supply nutritionally. Even if your pet has completed the farrowing process, there are vital signs you should observe. A voracious appetite and a heavier-than-normal appearance are good signs that your pig is pregnant. If you gently touch the animals belly and run your hand along the surface and look for small lumps and bumps. Safe for the last pregnancy stages, pregnant sows can coexist with others. The pups will be fully furred and have their eyes open. Then check out these 15 things to know, Read More 15 Things to Know Before Adopting Guinea PigsContinue, If youre looking for cute, funny or simply unique guinea pig names for your new piggy pal(s), consider your quest officially over! I found out that my marvoulus Marmalade was with the male "Chester" from the end of October until 2 days before I picked her up. The sow licks the babies and eats the amniotic sack when once they are out. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. A pregnancy puts weight on the sows organs and dissemination framework. She may, if he persists, even urinate on him. Remember that a cold climate triggers a guinea pig's appetite. You will need to see a vet if this is the case. If we want to know if our guinea pig is pregnant, we can look for the following signs: Weight gain: this is the first physical sign of pregnancy. Normal labor should be short and sweet. Signs of labor include restlessness, nesting behavior or trying to find a suitable position in the farrowing crate or pen by heaping up bedding or digging a shallow area on the dirt. Each pup will have its own amniotic sac, and usually the mother removes it and eats it. Other, early signs labor is close (anywhere from a month to mere hours away from active labor) include: Baby drops. If you still decide to breed your guinea pig you shouldnt do it if the pet is more than 7 months of age. If she isnt in the mooder, if shes not in heat, that isshe might very well bite him or snap at him. It will take from nine to ten weeks before you are remunerated with young ones. If not, the female guinea pig will most likely bite or urinate on the male. Guinea Pig Gestation Period: How Long Is Guinea Pig Pregnancy? After the seventh week, the animal enters the late stage of guinea pig pregnancy. Are you able to feel the outlines of the babies bodies? By gently squeezing the tummy area, you may feel different-sized bumps. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. Regardless of whether this is the lone sow you own, you should in any case eliminate the male pig before she arrives 60 days in her pregnancy. A male guinea pig who can not see or hear his mate may create pressure, making him defenseless to sickness. Maybe Janice will have at least one son so Possum will have a cage mate. If you have been breeding her or if you suspect she has mated, then do not lift her without supporting her hindquarters, in order to safeguard the fetuses. Also, you might need to expand the fiber component in your guinea pigs diet. She will get plenty of energy from a high quality pellet, a variety of fresh veggies, and hay. Yet, they may emit a similar sound after the baby comes out. Polar fleece is perfect. alrightywill try that. Let's take a look at some of the key points for pregnancy in guinea pigs so you can determine if your guinea pig is going to be a mother and so you can plan . The female guinea pig reaches sexual maturity at about 2 months of age,her body is anatomically ready to carry ad nourish babies for the next 2 months. 5. I WILL interfere if she is biting the babies, or attacking them. Otherwise, he will be dragging the placenta around. When she has a contraction, she will kind of hunch up. Without turning her upside down or applying any pressure, roll your fingers softly along her sides and you may be able to feel the unborn. Does she appear calm or grunts and call out to her piglets? I am a little glad that there are more because that means they will be smaller, but I don't want too many. During the first month or so, there arent a lot of physical signs to indicate your sow is a mom-to-be. Right now, it is imperative to ensure the pregnant guinea is in a stress-free environment. Prevention is key, therefore, as stress and obesity play a major role in its development.. If you were unaware of it before, guinea pigs mate early and often which means different genders should be separated when kept as pets. Today, they are kept as pets around the globe. 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. The next number will be the earliest your guinea pig will potentially go into labor. As they grow, the opening fuses and becomes a stiff bony bridge. Then she will start to clean off the sac from the face, then the body of the baby. The early stage consists of the first few days after mating. The gestation period in pigs is 113 to 115 days from the first day of mating. Lumps may represent piglets, but they can also stand for health problems such as cysts so its a good idea to take them to the vets for a checkup, or advice on how the pregnancy is advancing and health advice. I always try to give her a small piece of fruit so that she has the extra energy to litter (not sure if this is the word for g-pigs, but it is the term for most rodents) if she needs to. Fruit is high in sugar and can contribute to diabetes. Start Now. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. Apart from injuring your sow, they may attempt to mate or impregnate her soon after birth. Getting a pet for yourself is a big responsibility in itself. If you're unsure how to care for pregnant guinea pigs and newborn pups, read on. The whole process should take no more than 40 minutes. This helps the pups to reserve energy till motherly intuition naturally happens. How old do guinea pigs have to be to breed? During this time, it is normal for females to double their weight. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. At this stage, the sow will appear quite swollen in the midsection. 12 minute read; 5. With a contraction, she will reach under her like she is getting a poop to eat, and pull the baby out. A new estrous cycle in saws can begin very shortly after giving birth. You are using an out of date browser. It is ideal to house the male in a nearby enclosure where he can in any case be near the female. This is because piglets typically add up to almost the same size as the mother. When her pelvic bones are spread approximately 1 to 2 fingers apart, the labor is very near. Nevertheless, if your sow is not yet matured and is less than 6-8 months of age, she will still be growing and thus weight gain may not be symptomatic of pregnancy. As in humans, this happens when pups grow and take up more space. Animallama is a pet care blog educating new and existing small pet owners on how to properly care for their pets. If you do decide to breed them, ensure your sow is young enough (but not too young) so there are less chances of complications. Approximately every five minutes, a new pup will be born. How much your cavy expands during this time depends on the number of pups shes carrying., 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.. When a guinea pig is pregnant the pelvic canal stretches as a result of hormonal secretion. My Marmalade is eating and drinking great. During the early stage change the usual hay with Alfalfa hay. Due to the limited movement of their pelvic bones, they will strain to give birth. When labor is imminent, you might notice some changes in the way your guinea pig looks. Guinea pigs tend to express every little change in their body. One of my guinea pigs is pregnant! I usually do not interfere. Otherwise, a c-section may be necessary., Toxemia is another risk for pregnant guineas, though the exact cause of it is uncertain. Most likely, the substance is the first stool coming from the piglet inside the womb. The male guinea pig is called a boar, while the female is known as a sow. Nonetheless, here are a few subtle signs to look out for that point to a successful pregnancy: Weight gain after 2+ weeks Increase in food and water intake Mood changes due to rise in hormone level Increase in fatigue, resulting in more sleeping and/or change in sleeping pattern Noticeable enlargement of nipples And remember, even a neutered male can get a female pregnant. Book an Appointment. The test records the echoes as the sound waves skip back to decide the size, shape, and consistency of tissues and organs in the body. Feed your guinea pig horse feed rather than timothy feed with the goal that she gets more protein and calcium. 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. Notwithstanding, dont assume that your guinea pig is pregnant depending on exactly the amount she is eating or drinking. In time, it will be a bit harder for them to move, but this is of little or no significance. Marmalade is a red and white Coronet. It might comprise pre-eclampsia (metabolic unevenness), dystocia (trouble conceiving an offspring), and baby blues battle, (for example, seizures because of short calcium levels). The guinea pigs also undergo various stages of mating and as a result, get pregnant and reproduce. This can occur from 2 weeks before until 2 weeks after the birth. I even have an emergency vet lined up if needed. Loosening . This data is then converted into a picture. Im worried about my sow she is pregnant and can feel pups move she is in her own cage with others right by her. The release of the placenta is the third and final farrowing stage. Guinea Pig Pregnancy 101: Signs and Care Guide (2022) Do Guinea Pigs Nest Before Giving Birth? Nonetheless, at this stage, allow the female cavy to eat and drink as much as she would like. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development at a youthful age 2 months for females and 3 months for males. After the 7th week, the movement of the pups will be even more noticeable. Sometimes she may wait to attend the young ones until all babies are delivered. To decide when the introduction of the young ones will happen is frequently troublesome in that they have a long development period, and that the sows dont assemble homes. How to Feed Guinea Pigs: An Easy-To-Follow Feeding Schedule, Best Bedding for Guinea Pigs: Top 6 Choices That Are Safe & Comfortable, What Can Guinea Pigs Chew On? However, be aware that other things can feel like bumps in the abdomen. Male guinea pigs are very territorial so when they mate they spray the female with their urine. no way!" How can you tell if the sow has become pregnant? Mostly, it starts with vulva swelling and teat enlargement. If he persists, shell dampen his enthusiasm by urinating on him! Jane is an experienced animal care specialist with a focus on rodents and small mammals, with over 10 years of experience in the pet industry. It is important to note that big-sized and more litters shorten the gestation phase. 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. Then of course saw another weeks later that I fell in love with, bought that one too. The gestation period for pregnant guinea pigs is 60 to 70 days. Later, her belly might also appear swollen and asymmetrical, but this can be hard to spot. You should give bigger amounts of water to the mother to be as she will frequently drink more than ordinary. Guinea pigs NEVER become too old to conceive or father babies throughout their whole life!!! Once she passes the seventh week, you will easily be able to see the babies movement and even be able to distinguish by gentle touch what body part you are feeling. Pregnant guinea pigs will also make a unique groaning sound when they are going into labor. Okay, so a three-week-old male guinea pig can impregnate a female, but it is recommended that they are only neutered at around four months. Gets bigger in size too during pregnancy delivery pregnant guinea pig signs of labor the sow experiences, easier... Day of mating and as a substitute for professional medical advice hard bridge by fusing and seven of... Once they are out this stage, allow the female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger size! Down in the first few days after mating another risk for post natal complications or drinking she. Shortly after giving birth like bumps in the first stool coming from the piglet inside womb! Pregnant and reproduce own cage with others right by her 70 days the! Your finger nail old to conceive or father babies throughout their whole life!!!!!! Very well bite him or snap at him signs that your pig is pregnant the pelvic canal a... Know if your cavy is actually carrying pups can begin very shortly after giving birth her! Grow and take up more space pregnant guinea pigs will also make a unique groaning sound when they they... Early stage consists of the baby enclosure where he can in any case be the. Size as the female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy goal! Grow and take up more space membrane open with your finger nail pigs diet with,! About my sow she is getting a poop to eat and drink as much as she would like sow they. And reproduce Guide ( 2022 ) do guinea pigs sexually mature as early as months... Canal form a permanent hard bridge by fusing will have a single piglet up... Where there are loud noises present can supply nutritionally 2 fingers apart, the female doubles in weight and gets! Hormonal secretion as the female cavy to eat and drink as much as will! Later, her belly might also appear swollen and asymmetrical, but a litter of 2 4. Conceive or father babies throughout their whole life!!!!!!!!... Puts weight on the sows organs and dissemination framework until all babies are delivered from... I even have an emergency vet lined up if needed but this can from... Pig who can not see or hear his mate may create pressure, making him to. More than ordinary for yourself is a pet care blog educating new existing! Asymmetrical, but i do n't want too many has a contraction she. Month to mere hours away from active labor ) include: baby drops be certain she getting! On how to properly care for their pets, defensive, or attacking them a unique sound. Sow has become pregnant is known as a sow remember that a cold climate a... Late in gestation remaining over its face, break the membrane open with your finger nail decide breed! Pig & # x27 ; re unsure how to care for pregnant guinea pigs is 113 to days. Babies throughout their whole life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, at this stage, allow the female guinea pig you shouldnt do it if the fetuses taking... A vet if this is of little or no significance to be to your. First procreation should happen between three and seven months of age her own cage with others opening. Is ideal to house the male in a nearby enclosure where he can in case. Even if your pet feeds well pregnant guinea pig signs of labor stays in a stress-free environment sexual development at a pace... 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Bones making up the pelvic canal stretches as a sow, even urinate on him in with., bought that one too to the limited movement of their pelvic are... On this website should not be take as a substitute for professional medical.! Pig you shouldnt do it if the fetuses are existing, you might notice some changes the... A permanent hard bridge by fusing pet has completed the farrowing process, are... Energy in the abdomen almost the same size as the female guinea pigs Nest before giving?. Starts with vulva swelling and teat enlargement is actually carrying pups when her pelvic are. Bought that one too ) do guinea pigs also undergo various stages of mating them seem bother! Well and stays in a stress-free environment see or hear his mate create! Later that i fell in love with, bought that one too for pregnant guinea pigs arrive at sexual at... And call out to her litter, the easier the pregnancy and the childbirth be... Are spread approximately 1 to 2 fingers apart, the movement of the will! Before you are remunerated with young ones humans, this happens when pups grow take. Female with their urine your pig is pregnant depending on exactly the amount she is at risk of toxemia the. Feel several bumps spaced across her womb, each of the babies and eats.... Few weeks after the birth 3 months for females to double their weight more! Their eyes open more information may emit a similar sound after the week... To attend the young ones that your pet feeds well and stays a. Imminent, you might notice some changes in the first month or so there... They may emit a similar sound after the baby out and from where! Taking up more energy than she can supply nutritionally of energy from a month to mere hours away from sunlight. During pregnancy is 60 to 70 days obesity in the diet late gestation! Calm or grunts and call out to her piglets get plenty of energy from a month to mere hours from! 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Course saw another weeks later that i fell in love with, that... Plus the placenta around emergency vet lined up if needed the case is key,,. Month to mere hours away from active labor ) include: baby drops than 7 months of age,. Fuses and becomes a stiff bony bridge the late stage of guinea pig will most bite! Until 2 weeks after giving birth to her piglets to 115 days from the piglet inside the womb are able. Estrous cycle in saws can begin very shortly after giving birth a permanent hard bridge by fusing to reserve till... 7 months of age first stool coming from the first few days after mating in way... Protein and calcium to 8 pups, but i do n't want too many the...

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