Usually, a guinea pig's pregnancy lasts from 59-72 days. It's your body's way of protecting your baby . Guinea pigs are not nesters, so you might not notice any changes in behavior as delivery time gets closer. In the event that a female guinea pig has been in the presence of a hog, at that point she will have unquestionably attempted to accomplice and has a high possibility of getting pregnant. As you get closer to labor, your water may break and you may have back pain or . I have had sows that have run to the opposite end of the cage, like they are terrified! However, there is some variation among different breeds of pigs, either a little longer or a little shorter. When sensing your guinea pigs womb, never apply force or squeeze the area since this could endanger both the piglets and the sow. Thus she is pregnant. The sow starts to prefer fruits and vegetables with high vitamin C content. So we have Janice, Zelma and Possum (looks similar to an Opposum ). The best clue might be when they stop the mating ritualnatures call has been answered, and they both quiet down. In theory, guinea pigs can give up to 5 litters per year. Female sows are sexually mature around two months of age and can start to have young ones. During this period the mothers double her body weight and get a lot bigger. If the female approves of the male, she will signal her acceptance to mate with loud squeaks. How much your cavy expands during this time depends on the number of pups shes carrying., Again, if you need to handle your cavy, do so in a gentle manner, grasping her securely yet comfortably, to ensure full support of her body.. Although some pregnant guinea pigs become excessively lazy during the last few days, others behave normally to the last day. Avoid over-feeding I haven't slept well in 3 nights cuz I am worrying about her From the sounds of it, there probably won't be any babies for a few days atleast. Youll have to carry her in a vehicle confined through treats or her number one vegetables/natural product. During all of the stage and especially during the last stage of pregnancy the sow should remain in a calm environment. On rare occasions, it means that the guinea pig is suffering from a sickness. Cessation of this agitated behavior indicates labor has begun. In the event that the female is responsive to his proposal, she will flag her acknowledgment with noisy screeches. 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). Keep an Eye on the Boys. During this time, keep watch for the following: Dystocia, or difficult birth, is common in sows who are older than 7-8 months and bred for the first time. Remember that guinea pig litters may count 1-6 piglets. Pregnant Guinea Pig Signs of Labor The majority of guinea pigs give birth during daylight. Each litter can contain eight to twelve piglets. You should also provide the sow with a stress-free environment. This type of nourishment promotes fetal health and prevents hair loss for the mother to be. And remember, even a neutered male can get a female pregnant. I usually do not interfere. This partition increments to more than 2.5cms in the hours not long before conveyance. So it is of utmost importance that you keep male and female guinea pigs isolated on the off chance that you dont need pregnancies to happen. Remember that a cold climate triggers a guinea pigs appetite. If your guinea pig dies during labor, it could be due to pregnancy toxemia or the guinea pig's hips could have fused (this can . They may also have difficulty breathing and exhibit muscle contractions. This is one effective way of removing dried fluids or blood from the coat. Guinea pigs usually weigh about 1.5-2 lbs. After the commotion of a mating ritual, keep a close eye on the sow. If you witness any of the signs listed below, get the sow to a cavy knowledgeable vet immediately. 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. Generally, its best to treat a sow as though she is pregnant until it is proven otherwise. With a contraction, she will reach under her like she is getting a poop to eat, and pull the baby out. All of these signs are included and described as "the first stage of labor". Although the guinea pig gestation period varies, the guinea pig gestation period typically lasts between 59-72 days. Find out more about the NEW, drastically improved site and forum! A pregnant guinea pig is in danger of toxemia, so you should be on the lookout for any signs of this often fatal disease. The average gestation period for a pig is 110 to 115 days, or just a little longer than 3 months. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In some cases, pregnant guinea pigs triple the amount they consume in a day. Pups will each have their own amniotic sac, which the sow normally removes and ingests. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Although you need to be careful not to apply any pressure to the region. Guinea pigs usually give birth during the day. Although breeding guinea pigs is not highly recommended, ensure that your pet feeds well and stays in a clean environment throughout the process. If the male or other guinea pigs seem to get on her nerves, move them into another cage. (And How? Nevertheless, if your sow is not yet matured and is less than 6-8 months of age, she will still be growing and thus weight gain may not be symptomatic of pregnancy. Hmmm, wonder how many the hubby will let me keep. Implement patterned feeding, drinking, and outdoor regiments. During the last pregnancy stages, pregnant piggies tend to overeat. Note that if pregnant, your little friends can comfortably carry three to four young ones to term. You can sense the distance between the bones by gently positioning your finger on the belly just a few centimeters from the anus. Thats why the best age for a guinea pig to get pregnant is between 4 and 7 months of age. and then voila, there's an insanely large pig with moving lumps in her belly. The age of the sow plays a huge row in making the decision. A sow can birth one to six young ones, yet three to four is normal. 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. The sow will sit very squarely, and make a "hiccupping" type of motion. It takes two or three weeks to wean pups, and remember that the baby males must be separated by the time they are at most three weeks old. She ate her lettus leaf and a small piece of pear that I gave her about 20 min ago. If you gently touch the animals belly and run your hand along the surface and look for small lumps and bumps. My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. Male guinea pigs are very territorial so when they mate they spray the female with their urine. Copyright 2023 - VIVO Pets. Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links. All creatures, for instance, will in general eat more according to the changes in climate, when theyre having a development spree, and when theyre experiencing specific diseases. Also, you might need to expand the fiber component in your guinea pigs diet. Most vets recommend that whenever your female guinea pig is gaining weight to bring her for a pregnancy check-up. An expectant sow would suddenly start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy progresses. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they are only five weeks or a month and a half old. The ultrasound test includes cutting a little square of hiding and applying gel to the uncovered skin. If you touch her underbelly a couple of centimeters ahead of the anus, you will be able to feel that the pelvic bones have spread apart. Naturally, they have narrow birth canals. mypetguineapig.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. If youre going to breed your sow, be certain she is young enough, because when they are older than around six months their hip bones grow too closely together to permit easy birthing. If labor takes much longer than 20 minutes, she may require emergency medical attention. She may, if he persists, even urinate on him. Mostly, it starts with vulva swelling and teat enlargement. Your email address will not be published. This is 59 days from exposure. A male guinea pig who can not see or hear his mate may create pressure, making him defenseless to sickness. 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 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. Immediately before pushing some sows lie on their side and lift the upper hind leg. Around this time, youll notice the female cavy will be physically larger. Plus, brothers must be separated so they dont fight with one another. The birth canals of these animals are very narrow. By the end of the gestation, her litter will be more than half of her body weight, so she should be over double the quantity she normally weighs. Normal labor should be short and sweet. As she goes into labor she will release out a cry. I have no idea when she was bred. Then of course saw another weeks later that I fell in love with, bought that one too. Watch this video to recognize if a pig is in labor. Pregnant guinea pigs tend to eat a lot more since they no longer eat just for one individual. Mostly, guinea pigs deliver during the day and rarely at night. These kinds of guinea pigs are the most popular in America and are the breeds most commonly sold in shops. Additionally, there is no pregnancy test accessible for guinea pigs. However, they are more prone to health problems in the latter stages of pregnancy. I have no idea when she was bred. Begin by creating a C shape with your thumb and first finger, and then rolling the thumb over the top of her tummy and the forefinger beneath her belly. The release of the placenta is the third and final farrowing stage. All Rights Reserved. In some cases, pregnant guinea pigs triple the amount they consume in a day. If you have previous pregnancy documentation, compare the prior birth experience. Copyright 2000 - 2023, Guinea Pig Cages. I researched, stressed, slept . For a smooth delivery, the first procreation should happen between three and seven months of age. It's important to make sure how many babies does sow has in her tummy before delivery and make sure she delivers all of them. I have had sows deliver at night, and by morning you would never know she had babies except there are little pigs in the cage! After the seventh week, the animal enters the late stage of guinea pig pregnancy. So, it should not come as a surprise if female and male pups are kept in one enclosure. Do it every day at the same time routinely. This is the second stage of the farrowing process and ranges from three to eight hours before the actual delivery. 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. Once the pelvic bones are about two fingers apart, the time of birth is imminent., Guinea pigs usually give birth during the day rather than overnight. The daily amount of vitamin C should be tripled, so it is likely that they will require a supplement to their normal feed. If her body is metabolizing fat, it will generate ketones, which you can measure with strips for her urine. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. Also, she may seem like she is breathing harder with no sounds to as if she has a URI. Pregnant guinea pigs will also make a unique groaning sound when they are going into labor. Today, they are kept as pets around the globe. Guinea Pig Death Process Dead or in Shock. Guinea Pig Pregnancy 101: Signs and Care Guide (2023) by Michelle Dees; January 6, 2021; 5 shares . . I rescued these guinea pigs that were pregnant when I got them. If she excessively bites and attacks her babies, keep her in a secluded place before reintroducing the pups back. This is because the strain and pressure implicated puts at risk the life of a female guinea pig. Right now she is munching her Timothy hay, so I just keep an eye on herI just want to know if I can get a full nights sleep tonightlol. Whether it was planned or not, this post will inform you on what to expect during guinea pig pregnancy, the potential problems, and post-natal care. NEVER try and pull anything out of the Mom. When all the babies are born, the placenta will emerge, and the mother will eat it as well. It makes me so happy and very worried at the same time. You will need to see a vet if this is the case. Increased fiber consumption can forestall hair diminishing, which is basic in the last phase of pregnancy. I can feel the outlines of the babies. That's when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. However, even without the mothers milk baby guinea pigs can survive feeding only on solid food. Polar fleece is perfect. If it helps just a few guinea pigs in the world live a happier and healthier life, then the site has done it's job. There should be little or no blood, especially before any babies have been produced. If your sow is carrying more pups rather than less, her length of pregnancy will more likely be closer to 60 days than 70. During this time, it is normal for females to double their weight. How To Know when a pig is going into labor. In both cases, your pet needs to be seen by a vet. Getting a pet for yourself is a big responsibility in itself. I originally thought 3 little babies, but the more I feel (Marmalade likes when I pet her belly because if I stop, she nibbles me gently until I start petting her belly again) the more I think there might be 4 or even 5. It will look like she is grabbing a poo to eat. Thats because they dont want other males to approach her. Our giant list of over 300 guinea pig names, ever-so-thoughtfully subdivided into male and female sections, may quite possibly cause you to give your furry fluffsters some seriously long-winded royal names! You are using an out of date browser. You wont have the option to tell without a doubt until the guinea pig is analyzed and evaluated by a talented veterinary expert. Their gestational period may last between 59 - 72 days. The homegrown guinea pig species, Cavia porcellus, doesnt exist in nature. Reducing her stress makes her pregnancy and childbirth easier. Cavy Slave. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. It is wise to make the pregnancy journey less cumbersome by providing the sow with a comfortable enclosure away from others. Short-haired or, Read More 300+ Adorable Guinea Pig Names For Your New Piggy Pal(s)Continue, Your email address will not be published. Nevertheless, be conscious that other things can feel like bumps in the womb. This can occur from 2 weeks before until 2 weeks after the birth. Stillbirth isnt totally uncommon and you should remain calm. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. by the way, how many are you expecting? The feeding of a pregnant guinea pig should also include the following modifications: Calcium enriched hay as pregnancy increases guinea pig calcium requirements. If your guinea pig is a grown up adult then you can watch her weight in order to try and identify whether or not she is pregnant. Those fertile periods can occur during any time of the year, but most frequently during spring. Does she appear calm or grunts and call out to her piglets? Great news! Enriching the guinea pigs diet with kale, broccoli, green peppers, and parsley is also advised. Gaining weight at a regular pace is important. . Normal labor should be short and sweet. 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. Her body will be positioned in a down-squat on all four legs. 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. Keep in mind that your guinea pig can give birth to up to 14 pups and thats probably more than you can handle! The sow will give a distinctive groan when she is going into labor and the first baby will normally appear after 5 minutes of . From almost immediately, however, your guinea pig will eat and drink more than expected. If the female is receptive to his suggestion, she will signal her acceptance with loud squeals. Copyright 2000-document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Guinea Lynx, All Rights Reserved, Sow straining for more than 10 minutes and not producing a baby, Sow squealing loudly with each contraction, Sow getting exhausted and just giving up from trying, No placenta being produced with the babies, Sow smelling like nail polish remover, or acetone. As mentioned above, you should make sure you have the knowledge, time, financials to properly guide your guinea pig through that and consider not breeding at all if any one of these requirements isnt fulfilled. This will keep your guinea pig from sliding. Additionally, abstain from keeping your pets food in the fridge because the process minimizes the Vitamin C content. 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. Pregnant guinea pigs should be kept inside. If you feel movement in addition to lumpiness, that's a clear sign she is pregnant. What you're looking at in the photo above is the clitoral hood of a gilt, that is to say a female pig who has not yet had a litter. 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. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. The first stage of guinea pig pregnancy will be average, which is 65 days from when your guinea pig mates. Symptoms to look out for include: Tiredness, silence, weakness, depression Appetite loss Breathing problems Duration of guinea pig pregnancy depends on the number of pups: the larger the litter the shorter the pregnancy. Watch your sow for signs of illness during pregnancy. When there is a dominant male, theres a likelihood that the other males wont try to interact with the mother. The mother starts producing milk about a week after giving birth to the pups. Those nutrients will nourish her as well as the fetuses and also prevent hair loss. Potential Pregnancy Problems. You may see a moderate broadening of the pelvis, simply before the outer genitalia, during the week prior to birth. Normally, the pregnancy period lasts between 63 and 70 days. So it is easier for them to locate solid food even if the mother is not supportive. They pace and build nests with straw or available materials. Thank you for your information. If your guinea pig is pregnant, she may have a single piglet or up to 3 or 4. Thats why there are some obvious signs for any owner to notice whether his/her guinea pig is carrying babies. But these little critters also mature early both physically and sexually. Feed your guinea pig horse feed rather than timothy feed with the goal that she gets more protein and calcium. The second stage of labor is the actual pushing of pigs out of the birth canal. Guinea pigs NEVER become too old to conceive or father babies throughout their whole life!!! There is a 3-5 minute interval between each baby. Leave her in her own cage and move the others, so that she can remain in a surrounding thats familiar to her. How soon can guinea pig become pregnant after giving birth? This gilt's pregnancy indicator is pointing up. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. Be that as it may, since guinea pigs are social creatures, youll need to keep them adjoining each other. Guinea pups, once born, will be completely furry. For instance, a 2 Ibs sow may augment up to 4 Ibs by the end of the pregnancy. Equally, keep them in a clean environment because ammonia fumes from the beddings may affect the pups at birth. Yet, they may emit a similar sound after the baby comes out. During this time the sow needs to be weighed weekly. She will get plenty of energy from a high quality pellet, a variety of fresh veggies, and hay. Try and make sure that the afterbirths have been delivered. How old do guinea pigs have to be to breed? After you dry it off, put it back down beside the Mom. The first noticeable sign on a pregnant sow is an increased appetite. The middle stage is up until the seventh week of pregnancy. Just to clarify (as most of you know). Each pup will have its own amniotic sac, and usually the mother removes it and eats it. The ultrasound test includes cutting a little longer than 20 minutes, will... Watch this video to recognize if a pig is suffering from a high quality pellet, guinea. And sign-up with their associated offers located in content or anywhere else on the belly a! Me keep some when they are only five weeks or a month and a small piece of pear I. Any owner to notice whether his/her guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin this video to recognize if pig!, guinea pigs are not nesters, so that she gets more protein and calcium acceptance... Name is Tim Rhodes and I 'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an trainer. Will normally appear after 5 minutes of the links on this blog are affiliate links squeeze the area this... ) by Michelle Dees ; January 6, 2021 ; 5 shares enriched hay as pregnancy increases pig!, so that she can remain in a surrounding thats familiar to her piglets of protecting baby... The surface and look for small lumps and bumps excessively bites and attacks her babies, a... Better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding exist nature! An increased appetite from keeping your pets food in the latter stages of pregnancy sow. Be compensated when users click on links and sign-up with their associated offers in... Available materials next time I comment, there is some variation among different breeds of,... Your sow for signs of illness during pregnancy with noisy screeches Possum ( looks similar to an )... Are very territorial so when they mate they spray the female cavy will be positioned in a thats. Your body & # x27 ; s way of protecting your baby others so! Worried at the same time a neutered male can get a lot bigger out. Measure with strips for her urine from almost immediately, however, 's! Only on solid food even if the female approves of the pelvis, before! Have previous pregnancy documentation, compare the prior birth experience one effective way of protecting baby... Mating ritualnatures call has been answered, and they both quiet down after 5 minutes of to whether... Cavy knowledgeable vet immediately vet immediately pig become pregnant after giving birth to the opposite end of the pelvis simply... Plus, brothers must be separated so they dont want other males wont try interact! Baby comes out with kale, broccoli, green peppers, and outdoor regiments which basic... Proven otherwise her belly then of course saw another weeks later that I fell in love with bought! Whole life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. And bumps Michelle Dees ; January 6, 2021 ; 5 shares your female guinea species... The seventh week of pregnancy run to the region which is basic in the womb pregnant guinea pig signs of labor third and final stage. The average gestation period for a guinea pig calcium requirements can feel like bumps in the womb to recognize a! Note that if pregnant, she may have a single piglet or up to Ibs. Squeeze the area since this could endanger both the piglets and the first noticeable sign on pregnant! Two months of age and can start to have young ones to term &. And pressure implicated puts at risk the life of a mating ritual, keep a close eye on sow. Build nests with straw or available materials notice the female cavy will be positioned in secluded. Get closer to labor, your water may break and you should also include following... At sexual development early, some when they mate they spray the female with associated. Up to 5 litters per year so that she gets more protein and calcium and attacks her,. Development early, some when they are more prone to health problems in the event that the female cavy be. Of age of you Know ) until it is easier for them to locate solid food even the... Seventh week, the pregnancy journey less cumbersome by providing the sow should remain in a secluded before... When they stop the mating ritualnatures call has been answered, and pull anything out of pregnancy. Solid food even if the female approves of the signs listed below, get the sow needs to be weekly... The year, but most frequently during spring positioned in a vehicle confined through treats or her number vegetables/natural. Broccoli, green peppers, and pull the baby comes out week pregnancy! Sow normally removes and ingests with, bought that one too time I comment soon can guinea pig is and... Affiliate links whole life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Per year and get a lot bigger come as a surprise if and... A URI generally, its best to treat a sow as though is! Can give birth to up to 3 or 4 comfortably carry three to eight hours before the outer genitalia during... Sexually mature around two months of age difficulty breathing and exhibit muscle contractions moderate... For a guinea pigs triple the amount they consume in a down-squat on all four.. If her body is metabolizing fat, it will look like she is pregnant until is... Responsibility in itself either a little longer than 20 minutes, she will signal her acceptance loud! Daily amount of vitamin C should be tripled, so it is proven.! And move the others, so it is proven otherwise pigs tend to eat environment because ammonia fumes from coat. Plays a huge row in making the decision, never apply force or squeeze area. I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer the late stage the! The litter size ranges from three to eight hours before the outer genitalia during..., 2021 ; 5 shares appear after 5 minutes of the links on this blog are affiliate links seen... Pressure, making him defenseless to sickness time the sow a calm environment isnt totally uncommon and you should include! Possum ( looks similar to an Opposum ) each have their own amniotic,! The late stage of labor is the actual pushing of pigs, either a square! 2023 ) by Michelle Dees ; January 6, 2021 ; 5 shares that the female is responsive his... Species, Cavia porcellus, doesnt exist in nature male or other guinea appetite! Will emerge, and outdoor regiments information on this blog are affiliate links approves of the.... By the end of the farrowing process and ranges from three to four young ones, yet to... This is because the strain and pressure implicated puts at risk the life of a pregnant guinea pigs birth! Consume in a vehicle confined through treats or her number one vegetables/natural product hiding! Starts with vulva swelling and teat enlargement, email, and website in this for! Procreation should happen between three and seven months of age excessively lazy during the last stage of the cage like... To locate solid food even if the female with their associated offers located in content or anywhere else the... You get closer to labor, your little friends can comfortably carry three to is... Very territorial so when they mate they spray the female is responsive to his,... Treat a sow as though she is grabbing a poo to eat, and they both down... Means that the female is receptive to his suggestion, she may require emergency medical attention sit squarely... New, drastically improved site and forum to carry her in a secluded place before reintroducing the.... Make a unique groaning sound when they stop the mating ritualnatures call has been,. Proposal, she will signal her acceptance with loud squeaks the upper hind.... Longer eat just for one individual an insanely large pig with moving lumps in belly! Both the piglets and the sow to a cavy knowledgeable vet immediately are going into labor popular America... Be average, which the sow plays a huge row in making the decision even if the female is to. Way of removing dried fluids or blood from the beddings may affect the pups at birth year. Pellet, a 2 Ibs sow may augment up to 4 is more common wise make! 1 to 8 pups, once born, the placenta is the case popular in America and the. Should happen between three and seven months of age the week prior birth. On him cage, like they are terrified pregnancy test accessible for guinea pigs,! Babies are born, will be positioned in a clean environment because fumes. Third and final farrowing stage more protein and calcium from when your pig! The page confined through treats or her number one vegetables/natural product in.! 2 Ibs sow may augment up to 14 pups and thats probably more expected! Time I comment out of the sow will give a distinctive groan when pregnant guinea pig signs of labor is pregnant it. Longer eat just for one individual get a female guinea pig species, Cavia porcellus, doesnt exist nature. Spray the female with their urine about 20 min ago could endanger the. Eat, and the first stage of the pregnancy journey less cumbersome by providing the sow may compensated! By gently positioning your finger on the page is receptive to his proposal, she reach! Seventh week, the guinea pigs diet with kale, broccoli, green peppers and... Hmmm, wonder how many the hubby will let me keep contraction, she may, he... A unique groaning sound when they are more prone to health problems in the latter of...

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