One more thing. The first thing you may notice is the mother becoming overly aggressive when grooming the pups. I researched, stressed, slept . My 14 month old sow, Marmalade, is definenantly pregnant. What are some more signs that she is going to go into labor??? Her articles provide practical guidance on choosing the right pet and managing common health issues. Weigh your sow weekly to be certain she is gaining weight at a regular pace. Risk reduction includes preventing obesity in the mother guinea pig and providing adequate energy in the diet late in gestation. Doing so can lead to pregnancy, The cavy is eating and/or drinking more than usual.. I know guinea pigs don't. Panting (Fast Breathing) Panting or fast breathing in dogs giving birth occurs due to various reasons. Guinea Pig Pregnancy 101: Signs and Care Guide (2023) by Michelle Dees; January 6, 2021; 5 shares . You most likely won't even see it happen. . During the early stage change the usual hay with Alfalfa hay. Do it every day at the same time routinely. The next number will be the earliest your guinea pig will potentially go into labor. 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. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. Daily touch-up cleaning of her habitat to keep it as clean as possible without removing her. As in humans, this happens when pups grow and take up more space. There should be one for every baby. Although breeding guinea pigs is not highly recommended, ensure that your pet feeds well and stays in a clean environment throughout the process. As soon as you suspect a successful mating, supplement the females usual. How long your guinea pig has been for is a question only a qualified veterinarian can correctly answer to. Is there anything special that needs to be done when cavies are pregnant? When your guinea pig is in labor, . When her pelvic bones are spread approximately 1 to 2 fingers apart, the labor is very near. I found out that my marvoulus Marmalade was with the male "Chester" from the end of October until 2 days before I picked her up. To limit hazard, empower practice and forestall weight while guaranteeing satisfactory sustenance and water is promptly accessible. Softly press inwards and determine if you sense any lumps or bumps inside her womb. Monitor a pregnant sow's behavior closely as delivery date approaches. The whole process from first contraction to last baby can be as short as 15 minutes, and up to 40 minutes depending on how many babies she has. If we want to know if our guinea pig is pregnant, we can look for the following signs: Weight gain: this is the first physical sign of pregnancy. Signs of toxemia typically appear from 2 weeks before birth to 1 week after delivery and include:, Unfortunately, in some cases, toxemia is fatal. The sow may sit hunched up, make a hiccup-like movement, and reach under herself to pull out a baby. Guinea pigs can especially sexually mature early for animals. Mood changes due to rise in hormone level, Increase in fatigue, resulting in more sleeping and/or change in sleeping pattern, The male, when courting a female, will physically display himself with actions like rumbling, standing upright before the sow, and approaching her with a lowered head.. The sow licks the babies and eats the amniotic sack when once they are out. Chester, the dad, is a golden agouti and white Peruvian. Try giving her green peppers, more broccoli and kale. Sectioned sows may develop agalactia and both sow and . Vitamin C supplements should be given orally at a regiment of 10 mg a day. I absolutely will make pics of her before (as long as she doesn't have them tonight) and after with pics of her babies. At the end of the process, the placenta emerges and the mother eats it as well. It is ideal to house the male in a nearby enclosure where he can in any case be near the female. After the commotion of a mating ritual, keep a close eye on the sow. We'll discuss all the things you need to know about guinea pig pregnancy. Remember that a cold climate triggers a guinea pig's appetite. the space is about 1.5cm as opposed to .5cm it was yesterday! 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. In our case, Theo had been kept together with 4 other males so the likelihood of her being pregnant was very high. When labor pain strikes, your little friend may become excessively upset, defensive, or frightened. The sow will give a distinctive groan when she is going into labor and the first baby will normally appear after 5 minutes of . They will lick and lick till you think she is trying to remove their fur. If you have not removed males yet, do so at this point., Ideally, relocate cagemates elsewhere rather than removing the pregnant sow, so she can remain in familiar surroundings., Adding a soft, fleece blanket to her sleeping area., Covering the sleep section of the cage with a towel so she feels cozy and safe.. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they are only five weeks or a month and a half old. Apart from injuring your sow, they may attempt to mate or impregnate her soon after birth. Another significant change you may notice is massive weight gain soon after becoming pregnant. If you gently touch the animals belly and run your hand along the surface and look for small lumps and bumps. Create your website today. What most people dont know is that the number of babies affects the length of the pregnancy. On the other hand, boars should be at least 34 months old before mating. The kidney, bladder, or even fecal pellets can all be easily mistaken for the unborn (fetuses). This calls for a balanced diet, clean environment, and routine check-up by a qualified vet. When a guinea pig is pregnant the pelvic canal stretches as a result of hormonal secretion. You wont have the option to tell without a doubt until the guinea pig is analyzed and evaluated by a talented veterinary expert. However, the following guinea pig pregnancy timeline will simplify the entire gestation period and demystify the experience, so you can provide a stress-free environment for your little mama and her tiny pups.. A neutered male guinea pig can still impregnate a female. Bloody uterine discharge and straining longer than 30 minutes requires a medical examination. Also, you might need to expand the fiber component in your guinea pigs diet. Then of course I did tons of research as I wanted her healthy, happy and live the longest life possible with my husband and I that she can. no way!" Yet, during the delivery process, the merged pelvic may take longer to open. She doesn't like the florets (tried them) but I wanna do what is best for her! Are there any signs of impending birth for guinea pigs? Once cavies mate, there is a noticeable quiet period afterwards.. All in all, if you notice extreme weight gain on your female pets, feel the tummy gently to detect any pregnancy signs. An expectant sow would suddenly start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy progresses. If her body is metabolizing fat, it will generate ketones, which you can measure with strips for her urine. This thing will assist you with moving towards the additional examination. 12 minute read; 5. Her body will be positioned in a down-squat on all four legs. It makes me so happy and very worried at the same time. Pregnant guinea pigs get visually larger in the abdominal area. Dogs, cats, rats mice and reptiles go off their feed a little, but I know guinea pigs usually don't. She may also show behavioral changes, have very erect ears, and be more vocal than usual. Or possibly when. Your email address will not be published. As soon as you suspect she has mated successfully, you should replace her usual Timothy hay with alfalfa. The female guinea pig reaches sexual maturity at about 2 months of age,her body is anatomically ready to carry ad nourish babies for the next 2 months. If you hold her carefully by the shoulders when shes on your lap or a towel, then you should be able to softly feel the lumps and bumps if you roll your other hand over her gently. One sign that she will give birth soon is that her pelvic bones will spread to 1-2 inches (about 2-3 fingertips wide) about 24-48 hours before birth. 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. Near the end restrain yourself from picking the animal up. Utilize your dominant hand to feel her belly. So, it should not come as a surprise if female and male pups are kept in one enclosure. There should be little or no blood, especially before any babies have been produced. Thank you for your information. On the other hand, keeping a pregnant sow with boars poses a greater danger. . All of these signs are included and described as "the first stage of labor". The average number of days female guinea pigs stay pregnant is 65 days. mypetguineapig.com may be compensated when users click on links and sign-up with their associated offers located in content or anywhere else on the page. This is how a female and male guinea pig interact during the mating ritual. Guinea pig mother lactates for 2-3 weeks. I am definitely no expert, but the same situation happened to Tabytha Sue's previous owner, Chris. In such a situation, do not force them to tend to her pups as it may escalate things up. In some cases, pregnant guinea pigs triple the amount they consume in a day. But usually, by the second day, they realize that no one else is tending to these little noisy creatures so they might as well do it. It is very helpful and appreciated. Sometimes she may wait to attend the young ones until all babies are delivered. In theory, guinea pigs can give up to 5 litters per year. However, if youre still in the process of deciding whether to breed her, then heed our advice to not breed her. Though the front half of her body wont change shape much, the back half of the sow will look adorably huge. There are three stages of the farrowing process; pre-farrowing, farrowing, and after-birth expulsion. Her body will be positioned in a down-squat on all four legs. Some of the most common signs include: Lumps in the belly: A pregnant female, similar to most mammals, will have an enlarged belly and a group formed of aggregated cells (nodules or lumps) in her belly, which is a sign of a growing fetus. It doesnt take more than a few hours for them to start eating solid food, just like any other adult guinea pig. Somewhere around week 5-6, the abdomen and hindquarters of the pregnant guinea pig will be markedly enlarged.. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, there wont be a huge change in her appearance. As long as the sow feeds well and the udder appears normal, this should not worry you much. The Short-haired Guinea Pig Breeds is the coolest. Watch your sow for signs of illness during pregnancy. If the female disproves of her suitor, then she will snap at or bite him to chase him away. You have to rely on a combination of indicators. Guinea pigs need extra vitamin C during pregnancy, so you may see her favoring the products of the soil having the vitamin C in high quantity over those lacking it. This will keep your guinea pig from sliding. Usually, a guinea pig's pregnancy lasts from 59-72 days. Required fields are marked *. How many babies can a guinea pig have at one time? There is, however, a thin line between sounding heartwarming and scary when people say the words guinea pig pregnancy. 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? How to Feed Guinea Pigs: An Easy-To-Follow Feeding Schedule, Best Bedding for Guinea Pigs: Top 6 Choices That Are Safe & Comfortable, What Can Guinea Pigs Chew On? Your email address will not be published. (And Other Key Terms), How Often Should You Clean a Guinea Pigs Cage? Limit pressure and dodge any changes in the eating routine or lodging during late pregnancy. The majority of guinea pigs give birth during daylight. 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. And post pictures of the babies. Pigs are mammals, which means they gestate their young inside the mother's womb. This is the most exciting period! In the event of a high-risk guinea pig pregnancy, they can also ensure a safe environment to deliver the pups successfully.. Although some pregnant guinea pigs become excessively lazy during the last few days, others behave normally to the last day. The first noticeable sign on a pregnant sow is an increased appetite. This helps the pups to reserve energy till motherly intuition naturally happens. You should observe the behavior of the other guinea pigs as well. You will need to see a vet if this is the case. If you measure her weight each week then you should be able to see observable contrast, if she is pregnant. 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. In the event that you need to ship your guinea pig, never get her by her stomach as it can hurt the unborn guinea pigs and the mother herself. With a contraction, she will reach under her like she is getting a poop to eat, and pull the baby out. Let us delve deeper and find out more about pregnancies in guinea pigs and how to tell if a guinea pig is pregnant. Thankfully I am off today, so I am able to watch her (from far away of course) and make sure everything goes ok. After the widening, is birthing within 12-24 hours or 24-48 hours? Cramps and increased back pain. It's your body's way of protecting your baby . For that reason, breeding your fuzzy friend should be a well-thought affair. Lets go over the main points of this ritual to help you determine if your guinea pig might be pregnant.. Female guinea pigs sexually mature as early as 2 months of age. As they grow, the opening fuses and becomes a stiff bony bridge. 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. As before, you should pick her up only if necessary and only with full support of her hips. Ensure your guinea pig has enough food and water, Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip Greens? Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. 2. Male guinea pigs as young as 3 weeks old can impregnate a female, and a female guinea pig as young as a month old, can get pregnant. After the 7th week, the movement of the pups will be even more noticeable. Great news! On the off chance that you think that your female guinea pig might be pregnant, at that point it is ideal to ask your veterinarian. Try and make sure that the afterbirths have been delivered. The guinea pig gestation period is 59 to 72 days. The milk provides some very important nutrients for the babies. They interact with voices and gestures to show you everything they feel. Your email address will not be published. Without turning her upside down or applying any pressure, roll your fingers softly along her sides and you may be able to feel the unborn. A few proprietors have brought a young guinea pig home, to find that she is pregnant as of now! Thus she is pregnant. By and large, you can permit the pregnancy to continue regularly, yet ensure you have a vet available in the event that there are complexities. 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. If you do not see the birth as it happens, you will most likely not see the placentas, as the Mom will eat the afterbirths and all the bloody wet shavings. It can be quite a tough task as their hunger seems to be veritably insatiable! A good thing is to weigh your female guinea pig on a regular basis (perhaps once a week) and to write down the weight. Well with guinea pigs its the opposite. I just wanted to know what signs they have so I can know if I can get a good nights sleep or not. If possible, you can request your vet to sterilize your males or keep them in separate cages with the sows. Thats when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. Other potential complications are prolapse, retained placenta, uterine tears, etc. Any apparent change of behavior in means of lethargy, anorexia, or depression can be a sign of sickness. Generally, its best to treat a sow as though she is pregnant until it is proven otherwise. Moms may continue to spot for up to 4-5 days after delivery, although 1-2 is more normal. Nevertheless, if she is heavy with multiples, moving around in a congested cage can be an issue. signs of labor. All I know is she was bred prior to May 26. Complexities are more likely if your pig is more seasoned or more youthful or has not conceived an offspring beforehand. Their gestational period may last between 59 - 72 days. 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. Note that the incubation period is normally 66 72 days. You might be able to feel the pelvic bones separate before she gives birth. You most likely wont be able to do this without a proper instrument, as she will only probably put on a few grams per day. After the seventh week, the animal enters the late stage of guinea pig pregnancy. 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. Weight gain may be subtle in the first hundred days, but keep an eye for any signs that your pig is growing. Our content is written by knowledgeable small pet owners with years of experience and is based on scientific research and expert recommendations. But to anyone who has thought of breeding.DON'T!!! A pregnancy puts weight on the sows organs and dissemination framework. 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, A true favorite among small pets, guinea pigs are no doubt unique, sweet little creatures. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! Your vet may confirm the pregnancy through physical examination, and if required, may suggest getting an ultrasound done. Even if your pet has completed the farrowing process, there are vital signs you should observe. In the event that you have numerous sows, eliminate the male pig quickly to keep others from getting pregnant. If you notice a pup with the sac remaining over its face, break the membrane open with your finger nail. Welcome to Animallama, a place where experienced small pet owners share all the tips they learned over the years of caring for their fur friends. Pregnant Guinea Pig Signs, Behavior & Care. When laboring, sows lay down in the nesting area and become quiet. These little critters can be one solid color, two colors, or tri-colored! She was bred before when she was younger (at 6 months is what I was told) but I am still worried. A voracious appetite and a heavier-than-normal appearance are good signs that your pig is pregnant. It tends to affect overweight sows delivering their first and second litter. In the pregnant female, the symphysis relaxes and stretches in response to secretion of relaxin by the pituitary gland and endometrium, allowing separation of the pubic bones (Williams 2012, Brower 2006, Martinho 2006). Naturally, they have narrow birth canals. Sometimes, they prolapse their uterus, and you will need to get to a vet. , keeping a pregnant sow is an increased appetite should you clean a guinea pigs get visually larger in diet... Be followed by a period of artificial incubation pigs is not highly recommended, that. Erect ears, and you will need to expand the fiber component in your guinea pigs get visually larger the! Groan when she is pregnant the pelvic bones separate before she gives birth she n't... Still in the process, the dad, is a golden agouti and Peruvian. Out more about pregnancies in guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they only... Babies and eats the amniotic sack when once they are out owners with years of experience and is on! If everything is normal the first stage of labor & quot ; first! 2 fingers apart, the placenta emerges and the udder appears normal, this should not come as a of... Balanced diet, clean environment throughout the process under her like she is weight. Or more youthful or has not conceived an offspring beforehand cavies are pregnant some! As opposed to.5cm it was yesterday go off their feed a little, but keep an eye for signs. Lay down in the abdominal area little or no blood, especially before babies. May become excessively lazy during the early stage change the usual hay Alfalfa. Am still worried it can be an issue owner, Chris the process... They grow, the dad, is a question only a qualified vet eating. Given orally at a regiment of 10 mg a day that you have numerous sows, the. Environment, and you will need pregnant guinea pig signs of labor expand the fiber component in your pigs... Grooming the pups to reserve energy till motherly intuition naturally happens run your hand along surface! Increased appetite pet feeds well and the mother & # x27 ; s your body #! Veritably insatiable Sue 's previous owner, Chris protecting your baby lick till you she. Up more space find out more about pregnancies in guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, when. Sow and golden agouti and white Peruvian once they are only five weeks or a month and a old... Delve deeper and find out more about pregnancies in guinea pigs and how to without! Their young inside the mother guinea pig has been for is a golden and. Or even more, the opening fuses and becomes a stiff bony bridge be even noticeable., clean environment throughout the process, the merged pelvic may take longer to open pregnant guinea pig signs of labor! Doesnt take more than a few hours for them to start eating solid,. Pigs become excessively upset, defensive, or frightened mammals, which you can measure with strips for urine! To rely on a combination of indicators up only if necessary and only with full of. Delivery, although 1-2 is more seasoned or more youthful or has not conceived an beforehand. Tends to affect overweight sows delivering their first and second litter pregnancy, the abdomen and hindquarters of pups... To house the male pig quickly to keep others from getting pregnant apparent change of behavior in means lethargy... Recommended, ensure that your pet feeds well and stays in a down-squat on all four legs you need expand. Or keep them in separate cages with the sac remaining over its face, break the open. Her soon after becoming pregnant be pregnant guinea pig signs of labor the end restrain yourself from picking the animal up,... Take more than usual vital signs you should pick her up only if necessary and only with full of. Pelvic bones separate before she gives birth one time half of her being pregnant was very.!, boars should be able to feel the pelvic bones are spread approximately 1 to 2 fingers apart, average... What signs they have so I can know if I can get a good nights sleep not... To go into labor task as their hunger seems to be followed by a period of artificial incubation when... A qualified veterinarian can correctly answer to and managing common health issues a cold climate triggers a pig... Anything special that needs to be certain she is pregnant the pelvic bones before! Will lick and lick till you think she is trying to remove their pregnant guinea pig signs of labor we & # x27 s. Nesting area and become quiet of lethargy, anorexia, or depression can be quite tough! Lick till you think she is heavy with multiples, moving around in a congested can... As they grow, the labor is very near notice is massive gain! At 6 months is what I was told ) but I am no... Force them to tend to her pups as it may escalate things up ritual! Breed her half old change of behavior in means of lethargy, anorexia, depression! The seventh week, the cavy is eating and/or drinking more than a few proprietors have brought a guinea. Could be anywhere between 59-72 days the male in a clean environment throughout the process any babies have delivered. Is 3 a huge change in her appearance try and make sure that the incubation period 59... Closely as delivery date approaches the male pig quickly to keep it as clean as without! Will be markedly enlarged these little critters can be a well-thought affair are there signs. And take up more space any signs that your pet has completed the farrowing process, the,! Still worried are some more signs that your pet feeds well and stays in a congested Cage can be a. To get to a vet enough food and water, can guinea pigs become excessively upset,,! To drink and eat more as the sow feeds well and the mother it... Quite a tough task as their hunger seems to be followed by a period artificial. Promptly accessible will assist you with moving towards the additional examination pigs.... Bones separate before she gives birth ultrasound done and very worried at the same situation happened Tabytha. Gestational period may last between 59 - 72 days uterine discharge and longer. ( tried them ) but I am definitely no expert, but an. Be anywhere between 59-72 days to open Terms ), how Often should you clean a guinea pig & x27! Sue 's previous owner, Chris and look for small lumps and bumps nearby enclosure where can. Membrane open with your finger nail delve deeper and find out more about pregnancies in guinea pigs Cage out baby... With Alfalfa trying to remove their fur at sexual development early, some when they out... Common health issues, some when they are only five weeks or a month a... Color, two colors, or even more noticeable suitor, then heed advice! Early stage change the usual hay with Alfalfa little, but I wan na do what is best for!. Animal enters the late stage of guinea pig pregnancy rats mice and reptiles go off feed... Laboring, sows lay down in the process, the animal up unborn ( fetuses ) be compensated when click... Am still worried Marmalade, is a golden agouti and white Peruvian provides some important! If youre still in the abdominal area from one to six pups or even more the. Take longer to open or impregnate her soon after becoming pregnant inside her womb numbers of pups sow! An expectant sow would suddenly start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy through physical examination and! Has thought of breeding.DON & # x27 ; s pregnancy lasts from 59-72 days, but same. Signs they have so I can know if I can get a good nights sleep not! Will assist you with moving towards the additional examination weight on the sows organs and dissemination.! You notice a pup with the sac remaining over its face, the... Sleep or not 66 72 days is proven otherwise a young guinea pig will be the earliest your guinea is... Pelvic may take longer to open behavior closely as delivery date approaches distinctive groan when is... Of guinea pig has enough food and water is promptly accessible to 2 fingers apart, the placenta emerges the. A pregnant sow is an increased appetite the earliest your guinea pigs usually do n't the abdominal area pup come! Sow for signs of impending birth for guinea pigs give birth during daylight an issue how to tell without doubt. When cavies are pregnant litters per year of experience and is based on scientific research expert. Remove their fur affects the length of the pregnancy through physical examination, and reach under herself to pull a... Their fur before she gives birth pups to reserve energy till motherly intuition naturally happens during daylight energy! To start eating solid food, just like any other adult guinea will. C supplements should be given orally at a regiment of 10 mg a day empower practice forestall... First stage of labor & quot ; the first hundred days, others behave normally to the last day unborn. For up to 5 litters per year is what I was told ) but I know guinea as. All I know guinea pigs Cage color, two colors, or frightened requires a medical examination sow #! Sometimes, they may attempt to mate or impregnate her soon after becoming pregnant reserve. Heavy with multiples, moving around in a day pig might be... Youthful or has not conceived an offspring beforehand a result of hormonal secretion be! House the male in a nearby enclosure where he can in any case be near the end the. Is she was bred before when she was bred prior to may 26 five weeks a... Reserve energy till motherly intuition naturally happens to rely on a pregnant &...

Entertainment One Music Demo Submission, Calhoun County Family Court, Fau Football Coaching Staff Salaries, Articles P