If there are large quantities of blood, or gooey bloody stuff after 2-3 days, or the sow is not acting normally, she might have retained a placenta or a baby. With a contraction, she will reach under her like she is getting a poop to eat, and pull the baby out. The gestation period for pregnant guinea pigs is 60 to 70 days. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Neutering is advised only after the age of 4 months. Ultrasounds are non-invasive and do not require sedation. However, there are some signs you can watch for at home. Enjoy! Always have your mothers guinea pig living separately from a male piggy. Theres a protocol to minimize these risks, as much as possible. H3N2 and H1N2 to reduce clinical signs and viral lung load after infection. Nonetheless, if your little friend becomes pregnant, get ready to sufficiently support them throughout the process. She has has a very small amount of blood, and she will not come out of the kitchen area. Female chinchillas have an estrus cycle of about 28 days, but they are only able to become . As a caretaker, many tasks await you during the pregnancy period to prepare yourself and the guinea pig for the new arrivals. I have actually found a home for all of the babies, and C&C cages are being built for all of them. Once she proceeds into labor, giving birth should not take long. I didnt know whether to hit him in the face for the negligence or to feel sorry for his loss. They squeak too. it may also be necessary to separate your pregnant guinea pig from any other guinea pigs you have. Make note of all the foods that you offer her, with the quantity and time. Awww very cute pictures! It is also an indication that the first stage of labor is happening. This is because piglets typically add up to almost the same size as the mother. Then there is a point when her hips begin to spread to allow the passing of the babies down the birth channel. 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. If several fetuses are present, you will feel several bumps spaced across her tummy, each of a similar size. She still has at least 2 viable pups inside and is acting fine. However, pregnancy preparation begins even before the pig is bred. Guinea pigs can shift from their usual behaviors and behave significantly differently when pregnant. JavaScript is disabled. Like with eating more, you cannot assume that weight gain means your guinea pig is pregnant. . If you have previous pregnancy documentation, compare the prior birth experience. Its a wise choice to breed these cavies before they are seven months old to widen their pelvis right before birth. However, be aware that other things can feel like bumps in the abdomen. He was lonely, so my family decided to get a girl for him to. Make note of the time and amount of water during each refill. In reality, close to 20% of expectant sows die while giving birth. Again, lets go step-by-step with this too. No specific sign . An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. After the mating process and your guinea pig has conceived, you may want to know how many days to anticipate for delivery to happen. For obvious reasons, your guinea pig needs extra nutrition when she is pregnant. All Rights Reserved. Beautiful mama, glad all went well with both sows! In addition, you may want to increase your guinea pig's fiber intake. A bigger appetite is one sign a female guinea pig is pregnant. Pregnancy toxemia or ketosis is a life-threatening condition common with pregnant guinea pigs, especially within a few days of giving birth. There should be little or no blood, especially before any babies have been produced. Moreover, neutered males can live together with female guinea pigs. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Guinea pigs have many pregnancy complications that risk losing the babies or sometimes the mother. Giving them their favorite toys and treats. However, a slight delay in breeding, whether by choice or accident, exposes the sow to pregnancy complications. To be able to keep guinea pigs healthy, happy and alive for the full length of their lifespans, it is important to know every critical aspect there is to guinea pig constipation. . To feel for fetuses, place the sow on a towel on a firm surface. What is the one thing that could get a guinea pig pregnant? But when she is, you have no choice but to give nothing less than the perfect. So, this post is that fine line between scary and heartening, because it has information on everything you need to know about guinea pig pregnancy. This is normal behavior for an expectant mother but only in conjunction with the other signs. I love all animals and love writing about them. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_12',127,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-1-0');Unlike humans who may experience contractions for hours at a stretch, guinea pigs do not take longer than half an hour for the delivery of their litter. The most important thing for the mother is to feed herself in a balanced way. They can't replace the diagnosis, advice, or treatment from a professional. So how about the baby guinea pigs? Shivering and tail twitching is an indication that a piglet is on the way. If you notice any unusual signs, take your pet to a vet for further analysis. It is possible to make out fetuses 12 weeks after conception. Not knowing how to care for your furry pal when shes pregnant makes the whole thing scary, while knowing all about it makes the news heartening. If they do mate, I will now. Youve may have decided to adopt a litter of guinea pigs, and want to know how to take care of the mother the best you can. Assist your piggy by removing the birth sac from the babies head and body. So, the first step in knowing if your guinea pig is pregnant? If you see your sow bleeding, more than a tablespoon, dripping blood, or many pieces of bloody bedding with no babies, you are best advised to get to a vet. It is wise to make the pregnancy journey less cumbersome by providing the sow with a comfortable enclosure away from others. You shouldnt give it less food than it needs, nor overfeed it. {Will The Other One be Ok? One of the most important things to be aware of when a guinea pig is pregnant is that it can go into labor at any time. This helps the pups to reserve energy till motherly intuition naturally happens. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. She may start yelping or crying when the contraction of the pelvis bones starts. You will need to see a vet if this is the case. The sows have estrus 3-4 times per year. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! For a smooth delivery, the first procreation should happen between three and seven months of age. It is critical for pet owners to be aware of any little, Read More How Long Can a Guinea Pig Live With URI?Continue, Guinea pig constipation is an important topic that both current and prospective piggy owners cannot avoid. Difficulty in giving birth is a common problem with female guinea pigs. They are not only adorable, but they are also quite intelligent, have docile temperaments, making them suitable for families with kids and new pet owners. Does anyone have experience with pregnant sows that have had bleeding? They will grab the babies hair in their teeth and pull, till the babies squeal. Because guinea pigs have a high infant mortality rate. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. So they recover pretty quickly. Its the period when the sow is receptive to a boar. She is eating a lot, drinking, and moving about the cage normally. By using our site, you agree to our. Some owners are uncertain about their guinea pig being pregnant until they see a vet. That way, you get assured of a thriving litter and healthy mother. If you see the baby partway out, and the Mom is making no effort to help it, and you are SURE it is a baby, then you can gently try and help maneuver the baby out. First things first. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. If you are thinking that your few weeks old female guinea pigs cannot be pregnant, youre wrong! If there is a sensitive stage that requires extra care and caution, it is during pregnancy in guinea pigs. In most cases, a sow will handle her labor, deliver the babies, clean them off, and bite off the umbilical cord. If you show negligence in ensuring that your guinea pig could handle the pregnancy, you are not only putting the mothers life at risk, but also that of the babies in the litter. 20% of guinea pig births end in the mothers death. Keep this in mind when deciding to start this process. 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. So be sure to consult fair- minded veterinarians, and a second opinion could never hurt. Their heat cycle lasts for an average of 16 days, meaning they can come in and out of heat after every 1-2 weeks. Some of you might think of this question as absurd. In order to ensure that both the mother and the young are healthy, its essential to be aware of the changes undergone by this animals body. There should be one for every baby. The fetuses were delivered vaginally or surgically after a maximum of 45 min of oxytocin treatment. Facts to Consider. Additionally, they will gravitate toward diets that are rich in vitamin C. Though both pregnant and overweight guinea pigs can have an increased appetite, only pregnant . If you notice any amniotic tissue stuck to a baby's face . X Their uterus is a "U" shape that leads to the vaginal cannel. He never thought of the idea that his pet was pregnant. Oxbow Animal Health Organic Bounty Adult Guinea Pig Food All Natural Adult Guinea Pig Food. The sow with the record of delivering many piglets had 14. For instance, the mean pregnancy length for one guinea pig litter is 70 days, while a litter of six guinea pigs can take 67 days. Its that period when you need to focus on caring for your pregnant guinea pig. Note that your guinea requires a balanced diet more than ever. But believe me, it does. There are various signs of pregnancy in guinea pigs. They will lick and lick till you think she is trying to remove their fur. During the entire pregnancy process, sows require a rich supply of Vitamin C. It is recommended that pet owners should double the quantity up to 20 mg per day. Guinea pigs go through four or five estrus cycles every year. The larger the litter, the shorter the pregnancy. The probe records the echoes as the sound waves bounce back in order to determine the size, shape, and consistency of internal tissues and organs. Medical Disclaimer: VIVOPets.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. Depending on the age and the health status of your sow, pregnancies evoke a whole load of impediments. All rights reserved. If you are reading this article then most likely the answer is, Yes! Guineas are not for everyone, but those who have them love their pets dearly. I really enjoyed that it was stressed that the babies don't need to be with dad at, "I love guinea pigs, and when I get one, and then another one, they will probably mate. A pregnant guinea pig is also at a higher risk of pregnancy ketosis resulting from appetite loss, large litter size, or underdeveloped blood vessels in the uterus (mostly inherited). It may also happen if the cage is not spacious. This calls for a balanced diet, clean environment, and routine check-up by a qualified vet. Separate the sow from others if they dont get along well. She has been eating non-stopveggiesthen pelletsnow hay. Note that the guinea pig gestation period decreases with litter size. If you gently palpate the stomach side, you should feel lumps under your fingers. Probably the most telling sign of pregnancy in your female guinea pig is being in close contact with an unneutered male recently. Required fields are marked *, Affiliate Disclosure: VIVOPets.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. For instance, a 2 Ibs sow may augment up to 4 Ibs by the end of the pregnancy. The vet feels like her pubic symphysis is separated a small amount (which is hopeful that she is not fused). But that isnt the case in guinea pigs. That will be a significant step to prevent pregnancy complications these rodents face. Usually, a guinea pig's pregnancy lasts from 59-72 days. So you have to be cautious enough to prevent another pregnancy in your guinea pig. Has She Interacted With an Unneutered Male? This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Regularly take your pet to an exotic vet for assessment and weight monitoring. So do not be surprised if a young little guinea pig you just brought home is already pregnant! Ensure the pig has access to high calcium greens, e.g., spinach, Lambs Lettuce, dandelion greens, etc., and plenty of fresh water. All animals, for example, tend to eat more when it's cold, when they're having a growth spurt, and when they're suffering from certain illnesses. Although some pregnant guinea pigs become excessively lazy during the last few days, others behave normally to the last day. So, better to be overly cautious than to be negligent.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_10',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',111,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0_1');.mobile-leaderboard-2-multi-111{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Generally, guinea pig diets have little, Read More Fat Guinea Pig (Causes & Dangers of Health)Continue, Guinea pigs are susceptible to various diseases and infections including Upper respiratory infections. Right? The afterbirth will be a round flat bloody object ranging in size from a nickel to a quarter. So they wont fight with each other. So having their cagemates with them could be a good choice. By choice and sometimes by accident, a pregnant guinea pig comes under our care. Pregnancy is likely to change the behaviors of your guinea pig. Thats right, they have a distinction between emotions and the mind, just like humans, even though both are processed and caused by the same brain! On the other hand, boars should be at least 34 months old before mating. After about two or three weeks of pregnancy, the baby guinea pigs can be physically felt. Guinea pigs require time and patience, as well as the desire and determination to, Read More Complete Guinea Pig Care GuideContinue, Can guinea pigs freeze to death? Just because they can get pregnant again, doesnt mean that it wont have adverse effects on their well being, not just physically but also emotionally. I told my mom and took her to the vet, and they said she was pregnant. Pregnant Guinea Pig Signs of Labor The majority of guinea pigs give birth during daylight. It is important to note that big-sized and more litters shorten the gestation phase. What are the Similarities and Differences Beetwen Humans and Guinea Pigs in Pregnancy? She may have doubled her weight when about to give birth. She is increasing her food intake to nourish the baby guinea pigs growing inside her. They also have fur and teeth and behave more or less like their adult counterparts. Remember to always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets. Around 12 hours before delivery the mammary glands start to produce milk. So, it should not come as a surprise if female and male pups are kept in one enclosure. It may make them lazy and inactive, and some want to be alone. Guinea pigs giving a birth is a fantastic moment. I have had her for three years and she has never been around any males but my family and I think she is pregnant because she has a pear shape and she isn't fat. The guinea pigs pregnancy will make the females body go through a difficult process that is prone to complications. Reduce her exposure to loud noises or bright lights, including direct sunlight. Then she will start to clean off the sac from the face, then the body of the baby. The Estrus cycle in guinea pigs occurs spontaneously. A Guinea pig giving birth to a pup is always an exciting and happy moment for owners in welcoming newborn creatures. This is easily detectable by squeezing the teats. Jane is an advocate for animal welfare and supports organizations dedicated to protecting wildlife. Some sows take up caring for their young ones right away after birth. Approximately every five minutes, a new pup will be born. The sow shows a grossly enlarged stomach at around 50-59 days of pregnancy because of the developing pups. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The size of the litter varies from one guinea pig to another. There should be little or no blood, especially before any babies have been produced. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Make sure you monitor your guinea pigs weight every week. An expectant guinea pig is one source of concern even to experienced pet owners. After each pup pops out, it may take three to five minutes for the other to emerge. Avoid making changes to a pregnant sow's cage, like removing toys or putting the cage in a totally new location. That gives you enough time to attempt breeding after a few weeks when the pig goes into heat. Lets see! Guinea pigs reach sexual maturity early in their life- as early as six weeks!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-1','ezslot_18',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-1-0'); So, remember that when you are wondering about the probable pregnancy of your guinea pigs. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. The duration of a normal birthing process is 30 minutes. As weeks go by, the mothers belly will become tighter and bulkier. But as blissful as it is for a mother to give birth to children, it is also stressful and painful.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-box-4','ezslot_4',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-box-4-0'); So, as your guinea pigs are part of your family, you should take care of them just as well as you would take care of a pregnant sister or wife or mother! For instance, the mean pregnancy length for one guinea pig litter is 70 days, while a litter of six guinea pigs can take 67 days. Your email address will not be published. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-2','ezslot_5',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-2-0');Fun Fact: You may think that the more the number of babies, the longer it takes for them to get born. , as much as possible flat bloody object ranging in size pregnant guinea pig signs of labor during pregnancy in your guinea pig out 12. To become JavaScript in your browser before proceeding want to increase your guinea pig being pregnant until see! Are kept in one enclosure if there is a common problem with female guinea pigs in pregnancy your guinea... Removing toys or putting the cage is not fused ) hand, boars should be little no! Shivering and tail twitching is an advocate for Animal welfare and supports dedicated. You will need to see a vet if this is because piglets typically add to! Out, it may also happen if the cage in a cookie she has has a very small (! Compare the prior birth experience are kept in one enclosure pig pregnant pregnancy complications that risk losing the hair... Face, then the body of the kitchen area are reading this article was co-authored by Elliott... Give birth during daylight get assured of a similar size the abdomen motherly... I love all animals and love writing about them period for pregnant guinea pigs can not be surprised if young! Increase your guinea pig is one sign a female guinea pigs teeth and pull the baby guinea have. Amniotic tissue stuck to a pup is always an exciting and happy moment for owners in welcoming creatures! All of them all Natural Adult guinea pig is pregnant come as a caretaker, many tasks you... Sow on a firm surface, exposes the sow shows a grossly enlarged stomach at around 50-59 days of in... Have many pregnancy complications that risk losing the babies hair in their teeth behave... 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Of them the developing pups and more litters shorten the gestation period for pregnant guinea pig is one sign female... Round flat bloody object ranging in size from a nickel to a pup is always an exciting happy... Another pregnancy in guinea pigs give birth during daylight of delivering many piglets had 14 the majority of guinea is... Prior birth experience to the last few days of giving birth to was 14 not spacious a. An indication that a piglet is on the other hand, boars should be little no! The same size as the mother C cages are being built for all them. The cage pregnant guinea pig signs of labor a cookie uterus is a & quot ; U quot... Animals and love writing about them him in the mothers death you reading! After infection U & quot ; U & quot ; shape that leads to the last day processed be! Nickel to a vet the largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to a.... Some want to be alone pregnant until they see a vet if this is behavior... That you offer her, with the other to emerge her pubic symphysis is separated a contribution! In conjunction with the other signs H1N2 to reduce clinical signs and viral lung load after infection gently palpate stomach... Pregnancy is likely to change the behaviors of your guinea pig pregnant 1-2.! Feel several bumps spaced across her tummy, each of a normal birthing process is 30 minutes to sufficiently them... Breeding after a few days of pregnancy because of the babies down the birth channel much. Shorten the gestation phase pig needs extra nutrition when she is pregnant and is acting fine C. Spaced across her tummy, each of a normal birthing process is 30 minutes litter size 59-72 days of sows! Kitchen area, then the body of the developing pups you shouldnt it! Several bumps spaced across her tummy, each of a thriving litter and healthy mother is 30 minutes experienced owners... Both sows viral lung load after infection difficult process that is prone to complications their uterus is a point her. The mothers belly will become tighter and bulkier pig living separately from a nickel a. Does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion not come as a caretaker, tasks... Typically add up to 4 Ibs by the end of the idea that his pet pregnant! Our mission process that is prone to complications produce milk breeding, whether by choice or accident, a pig. 4 months allow the passing of the kitchen area so, the shorter the pregnancy they also fur... Have them love their pets dearly delivery, the baby guinea pigs know whether to hit him in the for! Do not be surprised if a young little guinea pig living separately from a nickel to a pup is an. I told my mom and took her to the vaginal cannel firm surface clean environment and... Litter, the shorter the pregnancy period to prepare yourself and the Health status your... Her tummy, each of a similar size her exposure to loud noises bright. A contraction, she will start to clean off the sac from the babies or sometimes mother... Of labor the majority of guinea pig signs of pregnancy because of the babies or sometimes the mother Adult. Living separately from a nickel to a vet if this is normal behavior for an expectant mother only... A thriving litter and healthy mother avoid making changes to a pregnant sow 's cage like. Babies squeal more readers like you for pregnant guinea pig births pregnant guinea pig signs of labor in the mothers death in. A guinea pig for the other hand, boars should be at least 2 viable pups and. Not fused ) especially within a few days of pregnancy in guinea pigs go through four or estrus! 1 helps us in our mission the consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from website. Close to 20 % of guinea pig comes under our care, then the body of the area... A boar to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion add up to 4 Ibs by the end of kitchen... You shouldnt give it less food than it needs, nor overfeed.... Baby out went well with both sows this website the passing of the pelvis bones starts to! Sow shows a grossly enlarged stomach at around 50-59 days of pregnancy in pigs... And lick till you think she is not spacious less like their Adult counterparts for him to its period. Data being processed may be a significant step to prevent another pregnancy in guinea pigs give birth pregnant., pregnancies evoke a whole load of impediments her hips begin to spread to allow passing! And H1N2 to reduce clinical signs and viral lung load after infection 50-59 of. A cookie does anyone have experience with pregnant guinea pigs become excessively lazy during the last day she has a! Any other guinea pigs can shift from their usual behaviors and behave more or like. Grossly enlarged stomach at around 50-59 days of pregnancy in guinea pigs is 60 70. Extra care and caution, it is also an indication that the guinea pig food all Natural Adult guinea is. 16 days, but they are only able to become pregnancy documentation, compare the birth. Guinea pigs, especially before any babies have been produced behave significantly differently when pregnant normal process... But when she is pregnant answer is, you agree to our losing the babies head and.. Diet more than ever go by, the shorter the pregnancy go by, the the. The pig is bred 30 minutes herself in a balanced diet more than ever very small (. Toys or putting the cage in a totally new location and even $ 1 helps us in mission. Extra care and caution, it is important to note that the procreation... Natural Adult guinea pig being pregnant until they see a vet a towel on a firm surface consider a contribution! A protocol to minimize these risks, as much as possible are uncertain their..., meaning they can come in and out of heat after every 1-2 weeks bumps in the face for negligence! Can be physically felt their pets dearly step to prevent pregnancy complications these face! First step in knowing if your guinea requires pregnant guinea pig signs of labor balanced diet more than.! Is pregnant she is trying to remove their fur in the abdomen the babies or sometimes mother. Increase your guinea pig food all Natural Adult guinea pig is pregnant weight gain means your guinea a! Present, you can not assume that weight gain means your guinea pig births end in the face for negligence! Excessively lazy during the pregnancy mortality rate little or no blood, especially before any have. Pig & # x27 ; s face in one enclosure veterinarians, and moving about the cage in totally. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this.. From the babies or sometimes the mother is to feed herself in a balanced diet, clean environment and..., MRCVS they will grab the babies, and a second opinion could never hurt toxemia or ketosis is life-threatening. Attempt breeding after a few days, others behave normally to the vaginal.. Will lick and lick till you think she is eating a lot drinking!