This article has 20 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. Remember guinea pigs are social animals and should be kept in groups, so if you own both a boar and a sow make sure to provide company of the same sex for both of them. It is worth noting that female guinea pigs can get pregnant at four weeks old. However, both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier. ago. Other adverse effects include a loss of appetite out of fear, which could also result in fatal effects. When you are sure the birth is over, you can assist the sow in cleaning by removing any stained bedding. Because yeah, more the number, more the time to nourish them, sounds logical. To learn more about what to expect during the pregnancy, read on! Or if it is the bad news version of the lumps, the vet will help with treating it. Though it is usually closer to 3-4 months. Note that the gestation period is usually 66 - 72 days. If the weight does not pick up, or a pup does not improve with additional feeding, consult the vet. As a general rule, guinea pigs do not respond well to anaesthetic so if it is possible, separating the sexes is a safer option. Antreprenoriat BT. He never thought of the idea that his pet was pregnant. Their physical and mental well-being are directly linked to their emotional state. The temperature outside or in a garage/shed usually becomes too cold at night for a pregnant guinea pig. Symptoms include refusal to eat, lethargy, and rapid weight loss. Guinea pigs are certainly cute. Be aware that young guinea pigs will begin to eat more as they grow anyway. It is important to begin to carefully handle young guinea pigs when they are only 2 or 3 weeks old. Maturing guinea pigs. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they are only five weeks or a month and a half old. Cavy . You vet may also be able to hear the piglets' heartbeats in the sow's abdomen. Male guinea pigs will continue to mount pregnant sows, which can cause stress or pain to your pregnant sow late in the pregnancy (after the 50-day mark). To find out how to house your guinea pig during pregnancy and how to prepare for it to give birth, keep reading! if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-netboard-2','ezslot_18',122,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-netboard-2-0');Well, not too many similarities are shared by guinea pigs and humans in their pregnancy. 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. Support wikiHow by If you've found out that your guinea pig is pregnant, check on it several times a day to monitor its drinking and eating habits so you know what is normal and can react to changes. The vet will assess the guinea pigs condition. We want to provide you with all the information for your furry little pals! Check to see that the guinea pig is eating and drinking; extra vitamin C may also be helpful. The sow should gradually put on weight. The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. Small litters do not cause the belly to enlarge significantly, and will not be as noticeable. Keep the two in separate cages until one of them is fixed. But I am only writing about this because it was actually asked by someone online! But consult with your vet first, just to be on the safer side. A pregnant sow will begin to drink and eat more as the pregnancy advances. have company. So they wont fight with each other. Newborn guinea pigs weigh about 3.5 ounces (100 g). Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. Guinea pigs are important animal models for human disease, and both outbred and inbred lines are utilized in biomedical research. Laber-Laird & Flecknell. When your guinea pigs reach 16 weeks of age, it is the time that they mature significantly. :)", understand just in case for the future as well, thanks so much for the info. They will have been eating solids from a few days old so will cope without their mothers milk at this age. References The estrous cycle length is 16 days. % of people told us that this article helped them. The minute you are sure your guinea pig is pregnant, make sure you get it to your vets attention. Guinea pigs are typically considered adults from 6 months to about 5 years of age. A good idea is to weigh your female guinea pig regularly (perhaps weekly) and to record the weight. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! X Most inexperienced Guinea pig "breeders" do not understand this concept. Now they are about the normal size of an adult guinea pig like the first ones you see if you google. Dystocia is a birth delivery problem where the unborn babies are not able to exit due because the mother is unable to dilate fully. % of people told us that this article helped them. This article has been viewed 447,279 times. What a surprise this was. How many babies do guinea pigs get per litter? Fruits should usually be given sparingly to guinea pigs because the acid can give them mouth ulcers. If your pet has too much of this, it can build up in urine and cause bladder stones. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Birth can sometimes be more complicated because of several medical reasons. The pups do not require a heat lamp or heating pad. Of course, all these are high school zoology concepts. Even though having a vet all the time is not convenient. She may carry several pups, between one and six, and they're carried in the womb for 58 73 days. If there is a likelihood any of the pups are born with this condition you must decide what action you will take. Absolutely pregnant. 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. Spaying or neutering of pet guinea pigs can be done by a veterinarian experienced in dealing with small animals, but the surgery can be expensive and does carry risks. However, if your sow is not yet mature and is less than 6-8 months of age, she will still be growing and thus weight gain may not be indicative of pregnancy. By using our site, you agree to our. Do not bath the sow during pregnancy. This causes mineral deficiency. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. 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