The exercises should continue normally because the guinea pig needs to regulate her weight and keep her strength up. The less stress the sow experiences, the easier the pregnancy and the childbirth will be. Otherwise, a c-section may be necessary. During this time, it is normal for females to double their weight. The middle stage is up until the seventh week of pregnancy. Adding a soft, fleece blanket to her sleeping area. The pups do not require a heat lamp or heating pad. Nothing is set in stone until you can feel the young that are inside the pregnant guinea pig. We might have made some serious mistakes out of ignorance. A sow can birth up to 5 litters per year, though miscarriages and stillbirths are common. If I felt my pregnant guinea pig's belly and caused her a miscarriage, what would the signs be? A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. Their eyes will open quickly and, within a few hours of birth, will search for solid food to eat. This article has been viewed 326,562 times. The vet may try to manipulate the piglet into a position where the mother can pass it. With our guinea pig pregnancy calculator, you can easily estimate the day a guinea pig will give birth to little pups. We got her without knowing that she was a pregnant guinea pig. Implement patterned feeding, drinking, and outdoor regiments. She does so, as well, with the placenta. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Remove any other pregnant sows. The vet will assess the guinea pigs condition. Prevention is key, therefore, as stress and obesity play a major role in its development. Alfalfa hay is great for pregnant, nursing and young guinea pigs but the calcium content is too high for normal guinea pigs as a build-up of calcium can cause bladder stones. Males take a little longer and are typically sexually mature by 8 to 9 weeks of age. Those fertile periods can occur during any time of the year, but most frequently during spring. Is It Safe to Breed Cavies? Negligence and ignorance can prove to be fatal for the mother and the babies. . Keeping a clean hutch will prevent a build-up of ammonia from urine. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? The milk provides some very important nutrients for the babies. Female sows are sexually mature around two months of age and can start to have young ones. Clean the water bottle weekly to prevent the build-up of algae and bacteria. Pups will each have their own amniotic sac, which the sow normally removes and ingests. Not knowing all the necessary facts about pregnancy in guinea pigs can prove to be a nightmare. Excess vitamin C is passed in the urine so cant be over-dosed, but other vitamins can build up and create problems. If you still decide to breed your guinea pig you shouldnt do it if the pet is more than 7 months of age. How much depends on the size of the litter, but her weight should never begin fall. 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. You can sense the distance between the bones by gently positioning your finger on the belly just a few centimeters from the anus. This helped me, "Glad we got educated early. So, while neutering means he cannot produce more sperm, he could still theoretically sire offspring for a short time after castration. Phone: 06 758 4006. Last Updated: March 2, 2023 There is, however, a thin line between sounding heartwarming and scary when people say the words guinea pig pregnancy. 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. Its a great way to predict and control diseases as well. Pregnancy is hard work for a female guinea pig. But do you really understand what it takes to care for these fluffy friends? Toxemia is another risk for pregnant guineas, though the exact cause of it is uncertain. Thats because they dont want other males to approach her. Is there anything special that needs to be done when cavies are pregnant? In the middle and later stages of gestation, a pregnant sow will display an enlarged abdomen. 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. Pregnant guinea pigs get visually larger in the abdominal area. If the other sow eats it, their own pregnancy may be induced. Continuous breeding is dangerous for female guinea pigs, increasing health issues and shortening. A pregnant sow will begin to drink and eat more as the pregnancy advances. Bloody uterine discharge and straining longer than 30 minutes requires a medical examination. Lastly, it takes about 2-4 weeks to wean guinea pups. Litter size ranges, with the average being 2-4 pups - in rare cases as many as 12-14. 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. During this time the sow needs to be weighed weekly. By using our site, you agree to our. This article received 14 testimonials and 88% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article was very helpful in letting us know what to expect and what to do when our female goes into labor, etc. 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. Guinea pigs are pregnant for 59-72 days. When there is a dominant male, theres a likelihood that the other males wont try to interact with the mother. Handling those delicate tootsies which are no bigger than the size of, Read More Guinea Pig Nail Care: Advice For Trimming & Cutting Guinea Pig NailsContinue, Are you searching for an awesome guinea-pig-themed gift? If your pet has too much of this, it can build up in urine and cause bladder stones. 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. Many females who survive experience complications, which are painful to the sow and costly to the pet parent. It tends to affect overweight sows delivering their first and second litter. Guinea pigs reach sexual maturity early. If there are any signs that the pregnant sow is not getting on with another guinea pig, do not hesitate to remove the other guinea pig, but leave the pregnant sow in the hutch/cage she is in. 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. In the best-case scenario, make arrangements to have a visiting vet check her every once in a while. Guinea pigs are pregnant for approximately 58 to 72 days. In the presence of a male, the female changes her back (spine) which she arches downwards. Just because they are the pups of a familiar guinea pig, this does not mean that they will be accepted immediately. Are you still deciding whether to breed your female cavy? Subscribe to our newsletter and get access to our free small pet care printables! These images range from super small baby bumps to plus-size pregnancy belly bump pictures showing the week-by-week pregnancy development. Pregnancy toxaemia in well kept guinea pigs is very rare; it is most common in breeder sows kept mainly on low grade pellets and with too little/low grade and too little/low grade hay and is more commonly seen in hot weather. If she has given birth before, she likely will double her weight by the time she gives birth, so you can approximate how far along she is by weighing her. The large and growing fetuses can cause a fast breakdown of fats even if the sow hasnt eaten for a brief period of time. The mother starts producing milk about a week after giving birth to the pups. Keep in mind that your guinea pig can give birth to up to 14 pups and thats probably more than you can handle! How long your guinea pig has been for is a question only a qualified veterinarian can correctly answer to. Other potential complications are prolapse, retained placenta, uterine tears, etc. Medical intervention, such as a c-section, is often required for older sows with no previous prior pregnancies. For example, carrots contain lots of oxalate. [1] Though the front half of her body wont change shape much, the back half of the sow will look adorably huge. And, truth be told, it can certainly be a tricky, stress-ridden adventure for experienced cavy owners as well. If your pregnant guinea pig does not meet the age requirements, talk to your vet about a pregnancy plan. To find out how to house your guinea pig during pregnancy and how to prepare for it to give birth, keep reading! The birth canals of these animals are very narrow. Speak to your vet to make sure you provide the right quantity of pellets. It will be too stressful for her. Covering the sleep section of the cage with a towel so she feels cozy and safe. 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? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. For young guinea pigs, this may include supplementing her diet with Critical Care of a similar product. Pet shops are notoriously bad for sexing guinea pigs and may have mis-sexed one of your guinea pigs. The first week of a guinea pig's . To find out how to house your guinea pig during pregnancy and how to prepare for it to give birth, keep reading! As a general rule, guinea pigs do not respond well to anaesthetic so if it is possible, separating the sexes is a safer option. X I have been given an 8 week old guinea pig that is pregnant, and her half-sister. They interact with voices and gestures to show you everything they feel. If any of them seem to bother her or tease her, they will need to be put in a separate cage. Do not overfeed pellets. All guinea pigs enjoy burrowing down in hay, but do not nest specifically because of pregnancy. Boris is a veterinarian of a small house pets. He is an exotic vet. Yes, it is important to follow these guidelines: Ensure a healthy guinea pig pregnancy by providing nutritious foods for your sow and her pups. In general, the two main tell-tale signs early on are: Limiting access to food will deplete the sow of her own fat stores. Do not intervene or touch the pups unless you need to. It is common for them to double in weight during this time. However, for the most part, you will not be required to make major changes to the usual environment. Once the pelvic bones are about two fingers apart, the time of birth is imminent. Week 1. Wash out the water bottle with a gentle dish soap every few days. Since their gestation lasts just 59-73 days, a female guinea pig is capable in theory of bearing five or even six litters a year. Well with guinea pigs its the opposite. This type of nourishment promotes fetal health and prevents hair loss for the mother to be. Do it every day at the same time routinely. The estrous cycle is somewhat typical in means of behavioral changes of the female guinea pig. With all this said, don't be surprised if your guinea pig falls pregnant while she still seems young to you. Is your female guinea pig getting more chubby lately, leaving you wondering if youll soon have a bunch of fluff balls running around? As the female guinea pig gets older, the bones making up the pelvic canal form a permanent hard bridge by fusing. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. 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. If the sow becomes uninterested in food contact your veterinarian immediately. . During the early stage change the usual hay with Alfalfa hay. 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. She may carry several pups, between one and six, and they're carried in the womb for 58 73 days. Small litters do not cause the belly to enlarge significantly, and will not be as noticeable. What most people dont know is that the number of babies affects the length of the pregnancy. Even the baby males can impregnate their mum at around three weeks old, so they will also need to be removed from the cage. 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. Guinea pigs are without a doubt cute, and baby guinea pigs climb twice as high on the cuteness ladder. However, toxemia is in part a lack of sugar, so keeping sugar levels high is important. 6,530 Pregnancy Week By Week Premium High Res Photos Browse 6,530 pregnancy week by week photos and images available, or search for stages of pregnancy week by week to find more great photos and pictures. 2. I for one was never able to see Emma's babies move from the outside. Typically, breeding reduces the lifespan of female cavies. Usually, the occurrence is 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after giving birth. Female guinea pigs sexually mature as early as 2 months of age. Fleece bedding comes in many styles, looks great, and is comfortable on guinea pigs feet. Lethal guinea pigs are white in colour (not albino) are born blind, usually in both eyes, have crooked or deformed teeth, are often also deaf and often suffer from internal deformities particularly to the digestive organs. In addition, he is a proud owner of two guinea pigs. In fact, you may even wonder if your cavy is actually pregnant. This is to prepare for the birth to come! During pregnancy, you will notice your guinea pig will be more reluctant to interact with you, so avoid too much petting or lifting. However, most guinea pigs have a pregnancy that lasts from 59 to 72 days. The gestation period is between 59-72 days, with an average pregnancy of 65 days. 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. , looks great, and they 're carried in the urine so cant be over-dosed, most... 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