With the use of ultrasound, your vet can also assess potential concerns with the pregnancy. Whilst a pup becoming stuck in the birth canal or born breech is common, never intervene yourself. The average number of days female guinea pigs stay pregnant is 65 days. We got her without knowing that she was a pregnant guinea pig. 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. The gestation period in guinea pigs varies between 59 and 72 days. The guinea pigs won't need to make a nest to give birth. Otherwise, a c-section may be necessary. Male guinea pigs can impregnate a female at as young as 3 weeks old and a female guinea pig can become pregnant at as young as 4 weeks old, so don't be doubtful if your guinea pig is pregnant due to age. The least expensive, easiest, and safest breeding prevention is to house sows and boars separately. And, truth be told, it can certainly be a tricky, stress-ridden adventure for experienced cavy owners as well. Mother strains for 15 minutes without producing a pup. Neutered boars should be kept separate from sows for four weeks after surgery. Litter size ranges, with the average being 2-4 pups in rare cases as many as 12-14. Discovered how versatile a. She may carry several pups, between one and six, and they're carried in the womb for 58 73 days. 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. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! . 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. My guinea pig is pregnant, and I'm worried she might be sick. Clean the water bottle weekly to prevent the build-up of algae and bacteria. Instead, coax her onto a towel or into a box. 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. Excess vitamin C is passed in the urine so cant be over-dosed, but other vitamins can build up and create problems. Though the front half of her body wont change shape much, the back half of the sow will look adorably huge. For example, carrots contain lots of oxalate. ", needed available in a clear, concise manner, super simple, and now I feel confident in my unexpected blessing. She may, if he persists, even urinate on him. 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. Sometimes its the uterus lacking contractions; sometimes its a pup ending up stuck in the birth canal. Negligence and ignorance can prove to be fatal for the mother and the babies. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Our content is written by knowledgeable small pet owners with years of experience and is based on scientific research and expert recommendations. Female sows are sexually mature around two months of age and can start to have young ones. At this time you will be even able to distinguish the body parts of the moving babies by gently touching the belly. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Usually, the occurrence is 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after giving birth. Are you wondering if your guinea pig is pregnant? The temperature outside or in a garage/shed usually becomes too cold at night for a pregnant guinea pig. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. The gestation period in guinea pigs varies between 59 and 72 days. At the end of the middle stage, the movement of the babies will become visible under the skin. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 326,562 times. During pregnancy, you will notice your guinea pig will be more reluctant to interact with you, so avoid too much petting or lifting. The exercises should continue normally because the guinea pig needs to regulate her weight and keep her strength up. It tends to affect overweight sows delivering their first and second litter. Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that this isnt medical advice and if you assume there might be a health-related issue, you should contact your vet. During the first month or so, there arent a lot of physical signs to indicate your sow is a mom-to-be. If there is not an out-of-hours vet in your area, discuss this with your vet to come up with a plan. When there is a dominant male, theres a likelihood that the other males wont try to interact with the mother. Though it may sound hard to believe, the fact is, its true! The duration of pregnancy is 60 to 70 days, because of this guinea pigs give birth to well developed young. Only hold her if necessary. Guinea pig pregnancy week-by-week may sound like a complicated affair to both the novice and experienced cavy parent. Medical intervention, such as a c-section, is often required for older sows with no previous prior pregnancies. As the female guinea pig gets older, the bones making up the pelvic canal form a permanent hard bridge by fusing. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. During the last two weeks of pregnancy, do not handle the sow. ), Will Guinea Pigs Kill Each Other? In the case of any anomalies or worry, you should contact the vet. Only this way, serious delivery problems can be avoided. Pet shops are notoriously bad for sexing guinea pigs and may have mis-sexed one of your guinea pigs. Thats why a female guinea pig should be bred before the permanent hardening on the pelvic canal. Cavies, as notorious early developers, are sexually mature at a very young age. Male guinea pigs are very territorial so when they mate they spray the female with their urine. This type is rich both in protein in calcium, two things she needs a lot at the moment. This means that we may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase something through an affiliate link. During this time the sow needs to be weighed weekly. Common pregnancy complications include metabolic imbalance, difficult birthing, and postpartum issues like seizures. Mares that have been bred during the first quarter of the year will often carry their foals for . Do not crowd the mother have only one person in the room, but another on standby to make calls if necessary. 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. His professionalism is shown on the many articles he contributed to the website. Sows older than 2 years that werent bred before are most at risk. Wash out the water bottle with a gentle dish soap every few days. Its logical to think that the more babies the mother carries, the longer the pregnancy will last because more time for nourishment is required. 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. A pregnant sow will begin to drink and eat more as the pregnancy advances. Pregnancy for Guinea Pigs is very high risk, both for the mum and the babies. 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. When a guinea pig is pregnant the pelvic canal stretches as a result of hormonal secretion. During this time, it is normal for females to double their weight. What Can Guinea Pigs Chew On? Flaunt your baby bump in style in 'belfies' or bump selfies. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. If your pet has too much of this, it can build up in urine and cause bladder stones. Make any changes as early as possible in the pregnancy, when the stress will have less of an effect on the sow. If the weight does not pick up, or a pup does not improve with additional feeding, consult the vet. In the first few weeks after giving birth to her litter, the female guinea pig will be at risk for post natal complications. In time, it will be a bit harder for them to move, but this is of little or no significance. You can sense the distance between the bones by gently positioning your finger on the belly just a few centimeters from the anus. For older guinea pigs, this may include her carrying out her pregnancy and birth housed at the vets, as she is more likely to need intervention. This prevents an excess of one particular mineral that might be contained in that vegetable. They are able to see, hear and move around once they are born. Some may happen sooner, later, or not at all. In most cases, the small forms are a sign of guinea pig pregnancy. Its the time when the body is anatomically and sexually ready for pregnancy and the birth canal hasnt fully narrowed. Over-feeding her will result in extra fat and moving difficulties in the later stages. 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 A typical pregnancy in horses can last for 320 to 380 days, but generally lasts around 11 months. If I felt my pregnant guinea pig's belly and caused her a miscarriage, what would the signs be? Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. During this time, the pregnant guinea pig will undergo many changes, both physically and behaviorally. They may be willing to attend themselves, or you may have to contact an experienced. Implement patterned feeding, drinking, and outdoor regiments. If your pregnant guinea pig does not meet the age requirements, talk to your vet about a pregnancy plan. Her hindquarters, especially, needs extra support to protect the litter. Wait 24 hours after the birth to give additional feeding for one of the pups as it takes this long for some pups to begin feeding at all. Guinea pigs reach sexual maturity early. Finally, should you choose to get your cavies spayed or neutered, seek out a vet who has experience with guinea pig surgeries. Yes, it is important to follow these guidelines: Ensure a healthy guinea pig pregnancy by providing nutritious foods for your sow and her pups. 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. Rough handling may cause miscarriage. 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. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Around this time, youll notice the female cavy will be physically larger. However, even without the mothers milk baby guinea pigs can survive feeding only on solid food. In both cases, your pet needs to be seen by a vet. However, with the proper care, this risk can be significantly reduced and your pregnant guinea pig can be kept in good health. As of three weeks of age, boars can impregnate females, creating a continuous gestation cycle if males arent housed separately. This helped me, "Glad we got educated early. Selective feeding is where the guinea pig chooses the tastier bits of food over less tasty but often more nutritious foods. Without turning her upside down or applying any pressure, run your hands lightly along her sides and you may be able to feel the babies. What is the Best Age for a Guinea Pig to Get Pregnant? She may carry several pups, between one and six, and they're carried in the womb for 58 - 73 days. It is entirely possible for a male pup to impregnate its mother or sisters. :)", understand just in case for the future as well, thanks so much for the info. Like we said, if you plan to keep the babies, you should keep them separate. Doing so can lead to pregnancy. Pet stores often keep both sexes together, resulting in many people being sold sows which are already pregnant. This is a common occurrence; roughly 1 in 5 guinea pigs will die as a direct result of pregnancy or birth. Guinea pig mother lactates for 2-3 weeks. If you gently touch the animals belly and run your hand along the surface and look for small lumps and bumps. Boris is a veterinarian of a small house pets. They interact with voices and gestures to show you everything they feel. Below is a detailed description of what to expect during each week of a guinea pig's pregnancy. The less stress the sow experiences, the easier the pregnancy and the childbirth will be. Season: A mare's gestation period can be impacted by the season. Pregnant guinea pigs tend to eat a lot more since they no longer eat just for one individual. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, there wont be a huge change in her appearance. Many females who survive experience complications, which are painful to the sow and costly to the pet parent. Place the cage away from direct sunlight and from places where there are loud noises present. There are numerous medical reasons why giving birth can go wrong. What a surprise this was. This article has been viewed 326,562 times. Typically, only 2 to 4 ova (fertile eggs) are released by the female during the fertile period of the estrous. As a species, they also increase their food intake in the winter. We took her to vet for check up.. She does so, as well, with the placenta. guinea pigs are pregnant for 67-73 days and you will know she will have babies in 3-4 weeks when you can feel her babies moving. Guinea pigs are pregnant for approximately 58 to 72 days. As a general rule, guinea pigs do not respond well to anaesthetic so if it is possible, separating the sexes is a safer option. Once cavies mate, there is a noticeable quiet period afterwards. Look closely at the cavy's genital opening. It is worth noting that female guinea pigs can get pregnant at four weeks old. Thats because those tiny, adorable feet are just so tiny! The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. Post the number on a piece of paper next to the guinea pigs hutch/cage. He is an exotic vet. Your email address will not be published. Can Guinea Pigs Live Alone? Sometimes she may wait to attend the young ones until all babies are delivered. Never provide a multi-vitamin. 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. To use the calculator, click on the calendar icon next to the breeding or due date and choose the correct year, month, and day. Make the introductions gradual as the adults will be a lot larger and could do them serious harm. Wondering if you are able to commit to being a responsible pet parent to these adorable little rodents? Those fertile periods can occur during any time of the year, but most frequently during spring. Typically, breeding reduces the lifespan of female cavies. Adult Guinea Pig Embryos from the guinea pigor guinea-pig(Cavia porcellus) have been used in various tetragenic studies, including the effects of elevated body temperature on embryonic development. The pregnancy of the guinea pig will be shorter if there is a larger litter size. Even the baby males can impregnate their mum at around three weeks old, so they will also need to be removed from the cage. Remove any other pregnant sows. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. This is because sows who are too young are at a greater risk of vitamin deficiencies during pregnancy. If you have not removed males yet, do so at this point. As a guinea pig lover myself, I created a list of cute and funny gifts for guinea pig lovers that will surely be appreciated by the receiving party. In the middle and later stages of gestation, a pregnant sow will display an enlarged abdomen. All guinea pigs enjoy burrowing down in hay, but do not nest specifically because of pregnancy. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to get to a vet. 2 Observe her eating habits. Never offer the same vegetable two days running. 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? The average gestation period is 65 days. Guinea Pig Pregnancy Week By Week Pictures. 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. A local breeder may also be willing to help. Females can reach sexual maturity as early as approximately 4-6 weeks of age and males as early as approximately 8-9 weeks of age so the different sexes should be separated before they are able to reproduce with each other. Near the end restrain yourself from picking the animal up. This is the most exciting period! How Long Are Guinea Pigs Pregnant? Take a few moments to inform yourself of potential pregnancy problems and why breeding your guinea pigs is not a good idea: For the sake of your guinea pigs, do think twice before breeding them. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Lets go over the main points of this ritual to help you determine if your guinea pig might be 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. 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? Providing a stress-free location for the mom-to-be assures an easier birth. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. Any apparent change of behavior in means of lethargy, anorexia, or depression can be a sign of sickness. Males should be removed well before the birth to avoid back-to-back pregnancies. If not, the female guinea pig will most likely bite or urinate on the male. Note that she may chew the cardboard, so have extra boxes or use a wicker or thick-plastic box. Guinea pigs usually give birth during the day rather than overnight. If the female approves of the male, she will signal her acceptance to mate with loud squeaks. Guinea Pig Eye Infection What You Should Do? Depression Incoming! 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. 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. This article made the information I, "This helped a lot. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. The age of the sow plays a huge row in making the decision. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. But do you really understand what it takes to care for these fluffy friends? Do not bath the sow during pregnancy. The gestation period is between 59-72 days, with an average pregnancy of 65 days. Ammonia irritates the lungs of pigs and will predispose the pregnant mother to lung infections. If so then this video will help answer all of your questions. Male boars, on the other hand, become sexually active at three months of age. Wondering how old your precious guinea pigs are in human years? As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). 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. Nothing is set in stone until you can feel the young that are inside the pregnant guinea pig. If you were unaware of it before, guinea pigs mate early and often which means different genders should be separated when kept as pets. ). Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. The pups are born with open eyes and covered in fur. Right now, it is imperative to ensure the pregnant guinea is in a stress-free environment. Mood changes due to rise in hormone level, Increase in fatigue, resulting in more sleeping and/or change in sleeping pattern. After the 7th week, the movement of the pups will be even more noticeable. Week 1. If you are changing the feed, make a gradual change providing a bit of both to start with as otherwise she may not eat the feed at all. Even though you can assist the birthing by yourself, its always better to leave it to licensed professionals. When you are sure the birth is over, you can assist the sow in cleaning by removing any stained bedding. Thats why the best age for a guinea pig to get pregnant is between 4 and 7 months of age. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they are only five weeks or a month and a half old. Other potential complications are prolapse, retained placenta, uterine tears, etc. During this period the mothers double her body weight and get a lot bigger. During all of the stage and especially during the last stage of pregnancy the sow should remain in a calm environment. Enjoy! Publisher: Pergamon, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Care-for-a-Pregnant-Guinea-Pig-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-a-Pregnant-Guinea-Pig-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Care-for-a-Pregnant-Guinea-Pig-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid711031-v4-728px-Care-for-a-Pregnant-Guinea-Pig-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"