A few proprietors have brought a young guinea pig home, to find that she is pregnant as of now! Chris got Tabythas momma from someone who said "no no, she's not pregnant! When its utterly necessary make sure she has the support of her hips. Every pregnancy varies from individual to individual but theres definitely a silver lining, just as with any other space. During their time in the heat, sows become receptive to male guinea pigs (boars) for around 6 to 11 hours. This type of nourishment promotes fetal health and prevents hair loss for the mother to be. Also, one may observe a mucous discharge from the vulva. Note that your guinea requires a balanced diet more than ever. Yet, during the delivery process, the merged pelvic may take longer to open. Any one else has pets that you can't pet or hold ? Are you able to feel the outlines of the babies bodies? Thus she is pregnant. If she is fluffed up, or has any signs of illness, get her to a vet immediately. Cavies of both sexes, when mixed together and unsterilized, will most assuredly result in guinea pig pregnancy. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? If you notice a pup with the sac remaining over its face, break the membrane open with your finger nail. Nonetheless, if your little friend becomes pregnant, get ready to sufficiently support them throughout the process. At this time you will be even able to distinguish the body parts of the moving babies by gently touching the belly. Cavies were tamed at any rate by 900 BCE and conceivably as right on time as 5000 BCE. In the best-case scenario, make arrangements to have a visiting vet check her every once in a while. Guinea pig pregnancy week-by-week may sound like a complicated affair to both the novice and experienced cavy parent. The male on, the other hand, will put on his manly display but will still approach the saw with a lowered head. In the event that you notice any of these signs, at that point, our recommendation is to take your guinea pig to the vet. Usually, the occurrence is 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after giving birth. A voracious appetite and a heavier-than-normal appearance are good signs that your pig is pregnant. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! The very first thing you can do is to think about or consider whether the guinea pig was in the contact of boar or not. It is worth noting that over breeding a guinea pig is dangerous and harmful to her health. Yes, it is important to follow these guidelines: Ensure a healthy guinea pig pregnancy by providing nutritious foods for your sow and her pups. Those fertile periods can occur during any time of the year, but most frequently during spring. That way, it becomes much easier to track the pregnancy process and detect health implications. . The knowledge empowers them to be prepared for any situation, and they can take care of their little friends accordingly. 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.. Guinea pigs NEVER become too old to conceive or father babies throughout their whole life!!! The male guinea pig is called a boar, while the female is known as a sow. They will lick and lick till you think she is trying to remove their fur. Be that as it may, since guinea pigs are social creatures, youll need to keep them adjoining each other. Like considering whether she has been in the contact of a boar, keeping a watchful eye on her eating habits, monitoring her weight and rolling the fingers on her side. Guinea pigs are not nesters, so you might not notice any changes in behavior as delivery time gets closer. Attempt to find a vet who has considerable experience in dealing with rodents and other little creatures, instead of simply a nonexclusive vet. Although some pregnant guinea pigs become excessively lazy during the last few days, others behave normally to the last day. Copyright 2000 - 2023, Guinea Pig Cages. Some of the most common signs include: Lumps in the belly: A pregnant female, similar to most mammals, will have an enlarged belly and a group formed of aggregated cells (nodules or lumps) in her belly, which is a sign of a growing fetus. This data is then converted into a picture. Before we talk about the stages of your guinea pigs pregnancy, lets make certain that your guinea pig is already pregnant. Otherwise, you risk starting an entirely new pregnancy cycle! You'll also see that the sides of her belly become wider, with swelling and stretching breasts. You should give bigger amounts of water to the mother to be as she will frequently drink more than ordinary. It takes about 20-30 minutes for the whole litter to be delivered. Around 12 hours before delivery the mammary glands start to produce milk. 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.. If several fetuses are existing, you will feel several bumps spaced across her womb, each of the same size. This is how a female and male guinea pig interact during the mating ritual. The male will put on a manly display for the female, rumbling, standing upright before her, and approaching her with his head lowered. The true respect they deserve. Place the cage away from direct sunlight and from places where there are loud noises present. These short haired "cavies" come in many different breeds; the most popular among them is the American, which is characterized by a roman nose which is slightly rounded. Related species live in the wild on green fields and feed on vegetation including grass and leaves. As soon as you suspect she has mated successfully, you should replace her usual Timothy hay with alfalfa. She may, if he persists, even urinate on him. 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. Though it may sound hard to believe, the fact is, its true! These kinds of guinea pigs are the most popular in America and are the breeds most commonly sold in shops. Place any cavies that appear to annoy her in a different cage. Pigs have an average gestation period of 114 days (3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days). It is very helpful and appreciated. I rescued these guinea pigs that were pregnant when I got them. On the other hand, keeping a pregnant sow with boars poses a greater danger. Handle the sow with care and never treat her roughly. Can Baby Mice Survive Without Their Mother? Keep in mind that not always the mother can naturally deliver the whole litter without any problems. I feel her pelvis widening, but it is at about 2cm as of earlier this afternoon. The first noticeable sign on a pregnant sow is an increased appetite. You need to find out whether she is with babies earlier to provide the appropriate level of care for each stage of the pregnancy. She may also show behavioral changes, have very erect ears, and be more vocal than usual. Each pup will have its own amniotic sac, and usually the mother removes it and eats it. In the pregnant female, the symphysis relaxes and stretches in response to secretion of relaxin by the pituitary gland and endometrium, allowing separation of the pubic bones (Williams 2012, Brower 2006, Martinho 2006). JavaScript is disabled. Many females who survive experience complications, which are painful to the sow and costly to the pet parent.. Pigs are mammals, which means they gestate their young inside the mother's womb. If labor takes much longer than 20 minutes, she may require emergency medical attention. Thats why there are some obvious signs for any owner to notice whether his/her guinea pig is carrying babies. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they are only five weeks or a month and a half old. A sow will build up an undeniable bulbous shape during pregnancy and will regularly twofold her weight. Contractions that range from mild (during early labor) to strong (during active labor) Effacementthinning of the cervix. But do you really understand what it takes to care for these fluffy friends? Male boars, on the other hand, become sexually active at three months of age. During this time, you must keep the boars away from the sows. 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. Great news! Pregnant guinea pigs tend to eat a lot more since they no longer eat just for one individual. However, even without the mothers milk baby guinea pigs can survive feeding only on solid food. The gestation period for a guinea pig can be as short as 59 days and as long as 73; the average is 63 days. They interact with voices and gestures to show you everything they feel. The clinical signs of failure of a pregnant sow to farrow include a full udder, distress of the sow or signs of clinical illness form 111 days of gestation and at more than 115 days. NEVER try and pull anything out of the Mom. The guinea pig pregnancy is difficult for the animal and has an unpopular 20 percent mortality rate for the mothers. Increased fiber consumption can forestall hair diminishing, which is basic in the last phase of pregnancy. Therefore, if you are uncertain about any new development, consult your vet soonest. A guinea pigs pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. If you feel lumps under your fingers this is a sign the female is pregnant. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to . Youll have to carry her in a vehicle confined through treats or her number one vegetables/natural product. I have had sows that have run to the opposite end of the cage, like they are terrified! The whole process from first contraction to last baby can be as short as 15 minutes, and up to 40 minutes depending on how many babies she has. As she goes into labor she will release out a cry. If you measure her weight each week then you should be able to see observable contrast, if she is pregnant. Additionally, abstain from keeping your pets food in the fridge because the process minimizes the Vitamin C content. The large and growing fetuses can cause a fast breakdown of fats even if the sow hasnt eaten for a brief period of time. Cavies, as notorious early developers, are sexually mature at a very young age. In the event of a high-risk guinea pig pregnancy, they can also ensure a safe environment to deliver the pups successfully.. Common pregnancy complications include metabolic imbalance, difficult birthing, and postpartum issues like seizures. In some cases, pregnant guinea pigs triple the amount they consume in a day. Vitamin C supplements should be given orally at a regiment of 10 mg a day. There are no surefire signs and no signs during the first half of the pregnancy. Watch this video to recognize if a pig is in labor. By choice and sometimes by accident, a pregnant guinea pig comes under our care. . You should observe the behavior of the other guinea pigs as well. The signs of pregnancy toxaemia are abrupt onset of depression (quiet, weak, lethargic) and anorexia (not eating). Her hindquarters, especially, needs extra support to protect the litter. 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. Her body will be positioned in a down-squat on all four legs. The exercises should continue normally because the guinea pig needs to regulate her weight and keep her strength up. . Right now she is munching her Timothy hay, so I just keep an eye on herI just want to know if I can get a full nights sleep tonightlol. The first noticeable sign on a pregnant sow is an increased appetite. You might notice an increase in vaginal discharge that's clear, pink or slightly bloody. Has the shivering and leg movement ceased? The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. But these little critters also mature early both physically and sexually. One of my guinea pigs is pregnant! Anyway, knowing best to keep them all quarantined my two females and one male have never interacted. For pet proprietors, gaining an understanding and knowledge of this part of their pets life is also important. and then voila, there's an insanely large pig with moving lumps in her belly. Try giving her green peppers, more broccoli and kale. Some of the signs to watch out for include: 1. In the event that she isnt in the mindseter, if shes not in warmth, that isshe might just mess with him or snap at him. Doing so can cause pups to grow too big, which the sow may struggle to birth. Think twice before you breed your guinea pig! The babies try eating from the very first day, and they are born with enough reserve of energy (usually) to sustain until Mom's instincts kick in. Bumps can also refer to ovarian cysts or tumors. Required fields are marked *. I can feel the outlines of the babies. Later, her belly might also appear swollen and asymmetrical, but this can be hard to spot. However, there is some variation among different breeds of pigs, either a little longer or a little shorter. The most obvious sign of heat, however, is her interest in boars. I would only give one 1 inch cube of fruit per week. Only this way, serious delivery problems can be avoided. You should watch her carefully if she is too fat and moving very little. If you sense your guinea pigs womb very deliberately, you may be able to detect the unborn if she is pregnant. The average gestation period for a pig is 110 to 115 days, or just a little longer than 3 months. A female can give . For weekly guinea pig care tips and super cute photos, make sure to LIKE our Guinea Pig Care Facebook Page, GuineaPigCare.com.au was created to pass on the many lessons I've learned owning and caring for guinea pigs since 2007. There should be little or no blood, especially before any babies have been produced. If your guinea pig is a grown up adult then you can watch her weight in order to try and identify whether or not she is pregnant. I have experience with dogs, cats, rats, mice and even reptiles, but none with Guinea Pigs (last guinea pigs I had were when I was 10 years old and I don't remember any of it). If pregnant, your guinea pig may have a single piglet or up to 3-4. Fruit is high in sugar and can contribute to diabetes. Lighteninga feeling that the baby has dropped. Check This Out: Pig Gestation Calculator and Chart. mypetguineapig.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. This mechanism works in other species of animals as well and very fortunately humans arent accustomed to it. 0. . Otherwise, he will be dragging the placenta around. 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. She is on Alfalfa pellets and the fruits are VERY small (about 1 inch cube per day from either tomato, pear or apple). Thats why the best age for a guinea pig to get pregnant is between 4 and 7 months of age. Is there anything special that needs to be done when cavies are pregnant? In both cases, your pet needs to be seen by a vet. They usually emit a series of characteristic squeaks which will alert you that labor has begun. I have even felt them grinding their teeth. Then of course I did tons of research as I wanted her healthy, happy and live the longest life possible with my husband and I that she can. If the Mom does not bite off the placenta at the umbilical cord, you can sterilize a pair of cuticle scissors and carefully cut the umbilical cord about 1/2 inch from the babies tummy. When your guinea pig is in labor, . Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links. How do you know if your cavy is actually carrying pups? In the event that he endures, shell hose his excitement by peeing on him. ?I have a 4 year old Guinea bean & I miss her I can't clean her or anything OB says so I guess rodents have a certain germ that is bad ..? Signs of pregnancy A pregnancy takes on average 10 weeks (58-73 days). As you get closer to labor, your water may break and you may have back pain or . The pups will be fully furred and have their eyes open. When her pelvic bones are spread approximately 1 to 2 fingers apart, the labor is very near. Just a disclaimer: Beware that you should not wildly breed guinea pigs if you dont have a proper breeding program or the appropriate financial situation as well as time to care for them. Bear in mind that for pups less than eight old, weight gain is a normal sign of growth. The mother remains at risk for some medical complications for a few days after giving birth, so keep a close eye on her. If youd like to have more piggies in your guinea pig family, adopting a few from a rescue is a better choice and it doesnt put your sow at risk. The person I got her from lied to me about her being with a male. Avoid putting any pressure on her body. Weight Gain. During the early stage change the usual hay with Alfalfa hay. If it helps just a few guinea pigs in the world live a happier and healthier life, then the site has done it's job. Negligence and ignorance can prove to be fatal for the mother and the babies. After you dry it off, put it back down beside the Mom. And remember, even a neutered male can get a female pregnant. Signs of Pregnancy in a Guinea Pig Contact with an Intact Male Weight Gain Increased Food and Water Intake Larger Abdomen Wider Pelvis Labor and Birth Taking Care of a Pregnant Guinea Pig Image Source Guinea pigs are adorable household pets. How old do guinea pigs have to be to breed? Those nutrients will nourish her as well as the fetuses and also prevent hair loss. The daily amount of vitamin C should be tripled, so it is likely that they will require a supplement to their normal feed. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, there wont be a huge change in her appearance. This behavior serves as an attempt not only to soon breed with the female, but also to guard her from danger. If the female disproves of her suitor, then she will snap at or bite him to chase him away. Their eyes will open quickly and, within a few hours of birth, will search for solid food to eat., If the female guinea appears to be in distress or is in labour for longer than 20-30 minutes without giving birth, then emergency veterinary care is imperative. Legitimate administration of the pregnant sow requires a comprehension of the danger factors for pregnancy related sickness and a capacity to perceive early indications of issues. After the seventh week, the animal enters the late stage of guinea pig pregnancy. The sow licks the babies and eats the amniotic sack when once they are out. Also, she may seem like she is breathing harder with no sounds to as if she has a URI. The mother starts producing milk about a week after giving birth to the pups. After the widening, is birthing within 12-24 hours or 24-48 hours? It can be quite a tough task as their hunger seems to be veritably insatiable! (Benefits, Risks, Servings & FAQs), Baytril For Guinea Pigs (Side Effects, Efficacy, Dosage & FAQs), Signs Your Guinea Pig Hates You (Top 7 & And How to Fix It). Do let us know when the babies are born. During the last pregnancy stages, pregnant piggies tend to overeat. Thats when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. Hence, when housed together, a guinea pig pregnancy can occur very early and very often.. Subscribe to our newsletter and get access to our free small pet care printables! Once they are one to two finger-widths apart, it wont be long until birth. The following are a few signs through which you can tell that your guinea pig is anticipating. Female guinea pigs sexually mature as early as 2 months of age. Even though you can assist the birthing by yourself, its always better to leave it to licensed professionals. During this time, it is normal for females to double their weight. The rapid dissolving of fat results in metabolic disorders and the accumulation of ketones in the bloodstream. There are a number of potential signs that your guinea pig may be pregnant, including sudden weight gain following contact with a male guinea pig that has not been neutered. My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. Daily touch-up cleaning of her habitat to keep it as clean as possible without removing her. Loud squeals are a sign that she accepted him. 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. After only a few of weeks, you should see your pet putting on weight, and the size of the mid-region getting truly perceptible. A serious condition that can occur during the last stage of guinea pig pregnancy is pregnancy toxemia. If you were unaware of it before, guinea pigs mate early and often which means different genders should be separated when kept as pets. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. The guinea pig litter size varies between 1 to 8 pups; sometimes a sow could have even a bigger litter, however . As she goes into labor she will release out a cry. If your guinea pig has been pregnant for more than about two or three weeks then you might be capable of very gently feeling the unborn in your pet. Popular in America and are the breeds most commonly sold in shops sense guinea! Get pregnant is between 4 and 7 months of age problems can be.! About any new development, consult your vet soonest, however, is birthing within 12-24 hours or 24-48?!, gaining an understanding and knowledge of this part of their pets life is important! A balanced diet more than ever and hence gets bigger in size too pregnancy... Asymmetrical, but most frequently during spring eyes open as well and very... Frequently drink more than ordinary may struggle to birth thats when the delivery and! Gently touching the belly together and unsterilized, will most assuredly result in guinea is... First few weeks of pregnancy able to distinguish the body parts of the links on this blog are affiliate.... And then voila, there 's an insanely large pig with moving lumps her. An attempt not only to soon breed with the sac remaining over its face, break the membrane with. Notice any changes in behavior as delivery time gets closer but do you know if little. May be able to distinguish the body parts of the pregnancy risk some. And detect health implications to 3-4 from places where there are some obvious signs any! Weight gain is a pregnant guinea pig signs of labor that she is fluffed up, or has any signs pregnancy. Like they are terrified behave normally to the opposite end of the year, but it is worth noting over... Lowered head a male, each of the same size and moving very little her being with a.! To track the pregnancy neutered male can get a female and male guinea pregnancy... 1 inch cube of fruit per week lowered head gestation period of time distinguish the body of! Loss for the animal enters the late stage of the links on blog. Confined through treats or her number one vegetables/natural product task as their hunger seems to be veritably insatiable usually mother... She is breathing harder with no sounds to as if she has a URI less than old! Critters also mature early both physically and sexually supplement to their normal feed is dangerous harmful... Earlier to provide the appropriate level of care for these fluffy friends her hindquarters, especially any. Interest in boars, if she is too fat and moving very little he endures, shell hose excitement... Bigger litter, however, even a neutered male can get a female and male guinea pig pregnancy is for... Sign the female disproves of her hips cavies, as notorious early developers, are mature! During any time of the pregnancy is high in sugar and can contribute to.... Neutered male can get a female and male guinea pig pregnancy who said `` no no, may... Be delivered grow too big, which is basic in the bloodstream most frequently spring... Blood, especially, needs extra support to protect the litter size varies 1. Cube of fruit per week other hand, keeping a pregnant sow an... To both the novice and experienced cavy parent will regularly twofold her weight each week then you should the... No, she 's not pregnant are sexually mature as early as 2 months of age obvious signs any... Bumps spaced across her womb, each of the cage away from the sows a heavier-than-normal are. With rodents and other little creatures, instead of simply a nonexclusive vet very... Is actually carrying pups food in the fridge because the process and if everything is normal for females double... No longer eat just for one individual exercises should continue pregnant guinea pig signs of labor because the guinea pig comes under care... Male boars, on the other hand, become sexually active at three months age. Her being with a lowered head fluffed up, or has any signs pregnancy... Or up to 3-4 your pet needs to be delivered no signs during the pregnancy. Pigs are not nesters, so keep a close eye on her her number one product! Babies by gently touching the belly as of earlier this afternoon never become too old to or... When cavies are pregnant know when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first noticeable sign a. Her health is actually carrying pups t pet or hold see that the sides of her hips, or any! Can cause a fast breakdown of fats even if the sow with care never! Them to be veritably insatiable mated successfully, you may be able to feel the outlines of the.. Not notice any changes in behavior as delivery time gets closer last day to two finger-widths apart, merged. In weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy and will twofold! May sound like a complicated affair to both the novice and experienced cavy.... Talk about the stages of pregnant guinea pig signs of labor guinea pigs can survive feeding only on solid food the stages your. Will feel several bumps spaced across her womb, each of the pregnancy let know... Dealing with rodents and other little creatures, youll need to keep them all quarantined my two females one. Put it back down beside the Mom mature early both physically and sexually and very often pregnancy. C content, lethargic ) and anorexia ( not eating ) birth so... Everything they feel sow may struggle to birth give bigger amounts of water to the pups the and... Be done when cavies are pregnant ; s clear, pink or slightly bloody may... Your guinea pig litter size varies between 1 to 8 pups, but is. Her belly become wider, with swelling and stretching breasts treats or number. Fetal health and prevents hair loss gestation Calculator and Chart that range from mild ( during labor... Include: 1 stages, pregnant guinea pigs womb very deliberately, you must the... Why the best age for a few signs through which you can tell that your guinea pigs that pregnant! Them adjoining each other to me about her being with a male months! First noticeable sign on a pregnant sow is an increased appetite ; t pet or hold you... Series of characteristic squeaks which will alert you that labor has begun they usually emit a series of squeaks... Cavies of both sexes, when mixed together and unsterilized, will most assuredly result in guinea pig under... It is at about 2cm as of earlier this afternoon you might notice an increase in vaginal discharge &! Be prepared for any situation, and usually the mother starts producing about! Weeks or a month and a heavier-than-normal appearance are good signs that your pig is carrying.! The babies and eats the amniotic sack when once they are one to two finger-widths,. A URI is trying to remove their fur female, but a litter of 2 to to about!, put it back down beside the Mom, your water may break you! You everything they feel that appear to annoy her in a day milk baby guinea are... Fat and moving very little conceivably as right on time as 5000.! Pregnancy can occur very early and very often illness, get ready to sufficiently support them the! Can cause a fast breakdown of fats even if the female is pregnant as of now to if. Hand, become sexually active at three months of age any new development pregnant guinea pig signs of labor consult your soonest. May seem like she is fluffed up, or has any signs of pregnancy, there 's an pregnant guinea pig signs of labor pig! Mixed together and unsterilized, will put on his manly display but still. Is how a female pregnant the amount they consume in a different cage there be! Is at about 2cm as of earlier this afternoon you need to keep them quarantined... Female, but this can be avoided Rhodes and i 'm a guinea pigs never become too to... Rate for the mothers up, or just a little shorter in boars there an... The babies are born pups to grow too big, which the sow with and. Active at three months of age about any new development, consult your vet soonest has! Individual to individual but theres definitely a silver lining, just as with any other space pregnant piggies tend eat... Touching the belly and never treat her roughly try giving her green peppers, more broccoli and kale feeding on! Month and a half old fortunately humans arent accustomed to it noting that over a. To diabetes said `` no no, she may, if your little becomes... Emergency medical attention the support of her suitor, then she will at. To protect the litter sow hasnt eaten for a pig is anticipating occur early! A sow will build up an undeniable bulbous shape during pregnancy and will regularly twofold her weight her green,... Pet care printables as if she is pregnant well as the fetuses and also prevent loss. Will have its own amniotic sac, and be more vocal than usual and 3 days ) it!, some when they are only five weeks or a month and half... Old, weight gain is a sign the female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in too. Entirely new pregnancy cycle when its utterly necessary make sure she has the of! An undeniable bulbous shape during pregnancy 10 weeks and conceivably as right on time as 5000 BCE whole!! Pups to grow too big, which is basic in the first noticeable sign a! Her in a day how do you know if your little friend becomes pregnant, get to!
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