Nothing is visible to explain that the pig is pregnant. unlocking this expert answer. "I had a male guinea pig for about a year and a half. This is because piglets typically add up to almost the same size as the mother. Normal labor should be short and sweet. I have actually found a home for all of the babies, and C&C cages are being built for all of them. The mothers lactation period lasts for about two or three weeks. Left untreated, both the mother and the pups will die. Her body will be positioned in a down-squat on all four legs. . If your piggies appear underweight with seemingly no explanation, its important to take action immediately. Is she pregnant? This is something that every owner needs to avoid. But that does not mean a complete compromise of their hygiene. The other? Update - No babies yet. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Each guinea pig has its own amniotic sac, which the mother will clean and ingest. She eats those to keep predators from discovering the babies. Another significant change you may notice is massive weight gain soon after becoming pregnant. Fingers and paws crossed here! Its important to be equipped with guinea pig breeding skills and knowledge before you embark on breeding them. What Are the Signs a Guinea Pig is Pregnant? If several fetuses are present, you will feel several bumps spaced across her tummy, each of a similar size. Usually, their pregnancy is non-problematic. 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. Remember to always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets. When she has a contraction, she will kind of hunch up. Generally, this happens after the last little one makes its way out. And believe me, you would not want to live with the guilt if something goes wrong. So, there are obvious signs that you can look for to identify pregnancy in your guinea pigs. Most likely, the babies are too big to get out or one of them has punctured the uterus calling for an immediate cesarean section. As females progress in their pregnancy, she may eat three times the . She died along with the litter. Weight gain: Guinea pigs will often gain weight during pregnancy. In this article, we're going to tell you some great fun facts about guinea pigs, from where they get their name from, to how they communicate. You can also touch her abdomen gently to feel for piglets in the womb. He was lonely, so my family decided to get a girl for him to. If conception is successful, there are many indicators of pregnancy. Probably the most telling sign of pregnancy in your female guinea pig is being in close contact with an unneutered male recently. ", all. Starting from how to know if your guinea pig is pregnant, to how to care for a pregnant guinea pig, to all characteristics of the gestation period, to the birth of the litter, I will lead you through every little detail of guinea pig pregnancy in the upcoming sections of this post! Read more about this in our helpful guide. The mother will wash down the pups and chew off their umbilical cord. But now that they are arrested in your home, you must be ready to step up and take responsibility. After each pup pops out, it may take three to five minutes for the other to emerge. If you are thinking that your few weeks old female guinea pigs cannot be pregnant, youre wrong! signs of labor. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. . Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 450,304 times. So, the first step in knowing if your guinea pig is pregnant? Its a wise choice to breed these cavies before they are seven months old to widen their pelvis right before birth. During pregnancy, you will need to provide your guinea pig with a clean cage or hutch. Then they started to do an unusual sound, which I suspected was a mating call. After only a few of weeks, you should see your pet putting on weight, and the size of the mid-region getting truly perceptible. Guinea pigs usually give birth during the day. The minute you are sure your guinea pig is pregnant, make sure you get it to your vets attention. So how about the baby guinea pigs? The pups will also benefit from eating solid food. What if it gets really, really cold outside when you are sleeping, and the temperature drops below freezing would your guinea pigs be okay? So then, waiting until the pig is sexually mature is paramount, plus it should not be too old to give birth. Guinea pigs are certainly cute. However, it could take 30 minutes or so. Caring for a pregnant guinea pig can be tiresome but knowing that youre anticipating new offspring soon keeps us motivated. 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. She drinks a lot of water, and the weight gain is noticeable. It is not enough if you understand that. That way, it becomes much easier to track the pregnancy process and detect health implications. Approved. Typically, guinea pig birth is an easy process if there are no pregnancy complications. It is wise to make the pregnancy journey less cumbersome by providing the sow with a comfortable enclosure away from others. She may start yelping or crying when the contraction of the pelvis bones starts. In most cases, a guinea pigs mothers instincts do not kick in immediately. Theres a protocol to minimize these risks, as much as possible. If your guinea pig is pregnant, talk with your vet and learn the date its likely to give birth. And hand those records to your vert during his weekly visit so that he can comprehend the situation in hand better. They will be getting small bits from the mothers dish. In the case of any doubt, it's best to consult a trusted specialist. Here are some common signs of pregnancy in guinea pigs: A change in appetite: Pregnant guinea pigs will usually have a decreased appetite. I do have a personal connection to use if necessary, but hoping all goes well. 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