Also, provide proper bedding and solid food to the mother for nurturing her baby. There can be some reason behind this: Does she live alone: If your guinea pig leaves alone, then she can have stress which may cause ovulation. Breeding often reduces the lifespan of female guinea pigs. If you end up breeding your guinea pigs too early or too late then there can be a lot of complications. Very very confused and worried for Moomin. It is also crucial that you know how many babies are in the womb. Also, seek advice from your vet doctor about the prenatal and postnatal care of your guinea pigs. However, it is important to know that pregnancy in a guinea pig is significantly different from human pregnancy. In some cases, it may last a little longer or shorter. Can phantom pregnancies be prevented in guinea pigs? Until we noticed that her belly got bigger than it should be. The female has a short postpartum estrus that will last for only about half a day and, without a dominant male, all of the males will try to mate with the new mother. A Guinea pig will start making the nest. 2012-01-13 15:06:06. They will nurse from their mother but are able to nibble at solid food (such as moistened pellets) within 2 days. Naturally, they have narrow birth canals. As far as nutrition goes, nothing beats mothers milk. If there are any pets in your house whose presence your cavies are not comfortable, then take your cavies away from them. Your female guinea pig's calcium stores will drop significantly during pregnancy and nursing. Guinea pigs phantom pregnancy can last up to 20-30 days, and it can last longer in some cases. but the dried food gets left, a fussy eater I think!!!! I had always been told that guineas didn't have phantom pregnancies until that is my little Rosie had a phantom pregnancy: gained weight, increased water intake, moody etc etc. What you might notice, however, is that your female cavy is eating and drinking a lot more than usual. The number of pups a sow is carrying will determine the duration of the pregnancy, For example, a pregnancy with one pup will be 70 days, whereas a pregnancy with six pups will be between 65 and 67 days. Although guinea pigs can have more complicated births, if you follow your vets instructions, you will be sure to have a healthy mom and babies by the time the birth rolls around. Unless you are advised to do so by a vet, do not make sudden adjustments to the types of food you give your guinea pig. But how did the black cat get her wicked reputation? This can also be done by gently holding your piggy by the shoulders with one hand and feeling her belly with the other. These little critters can be one solid color, two colors, or tri-colored! So, at what age can guinea pigs breed safely? Bought a double hutch and run for our guinea pigs and they were super helpful. Etiology: Two forms have been identified, both of which most commonly occur in pregnant or lactating guinea pigs, but can also occur in non-gravid females as well as boars [1]: Fasting form: reduced carbohydrate intake results in systemic mobilization of fat stores. On a light note, neutering will also let you keep a population check on these little animals. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. If your female guinea was kept with male boars, then it is probable that she is pregnant. Even after spaying guinea pigs can experience phantom pregnancies. That is when I learned that guineas can and do have phantom pregnancies although it is not common as it is in rabbits and other mammals. Use the search! They will be able to do a proper examination and confirm whether or not there are guinea pig pups in your future. Aside from a large abdomen, there are very few ways to confidently determine if a guinea pig is pregnant on your own. The mother should at least be of 2-8 months of her generation. Baby guinea pigs are called pups. Feed more of hay and less of pellet based diet as it makes the food movement in gut smooth and helps prevent diarrhea as well. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If the gestation period is more extended than the litter size, it is small(2-3 pups), whereas if the gestation period is lower than the litter size, it would be large(5-7 pups). Females can have estrous or fertile periods at any time of the year, but they are most common in the spring. LittleFurryPets.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. I had a problem with the payment via Paypal, and the problem was resolved almost instantly via live chat. She, Guinea Pigs Can Get Pregnant Early and Easily. This, unfortunately, could mean the loss of the mum and her pups. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Litter size also depends upon the duration of pregnancy. Although you need to be careful not to apply any pressure to the region. There are various signs of pregnancy in guinea pigs. Ketosis also affects other animal species, including humans, and risk factors include obesity, stress and lack of exercise, which is why it can occur during pregnancy. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The gestation period in guinea pigs varies between 59 and 72 days. Providing the Right Environment During Pregnancy, Tips for Caring for a Pregnant Guinea Pig, Signs That a Guinea Pig is About to Give Birth, Skinny Pig The Ultimate breed and care guide, Guinea Pig Teeth 8 signs of dental issues, how to spot them and what to do, What can Guinea pigs eat? Copyright 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. And we are guessing thats the last thing you need or want. Ever since finding out that our guinea pig is a girl and might be pregnant, we have learned all that we could about how to care for a pregnant guinea pig and her babies. Wiki User. There have been instances of male guinea pigs impregnating their mothers in as little as five weeks. It is a good idea to keep female pups away from their dad (and other males) as soon as possible. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. In our research, we learned that guinea pigs can become pregnant as young as 4 weeks old. Pregnant guinea pigs will need to increase their calorie intake by 25-50%, as well as their nutrient intake. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). There are many ways to lower the stress of your guinea pig-like grooming them, giving them an environment they are comfortable with. Females are more reproductively capable before 8 months of their age and enhance the complexity later than this. Guinea pig keeps having phantom pregnancies. Female guinea pigs (or sows) have a pregnancy of 68 days (range 59-72 days) and an average estrous cycle length of 17 days (range 13-25 days). Keep things consistant, reduce any noise and activity around the Cavys living quaters. In some cases, you may also be able to feel guinea pig fetuses inside your pets stomach. We decided to leave Theo and Remmy together since they get along so well and crave each others company. If you suspect that your guinea pig is experiencing ketosis, it is important to seek treatment from a professional veterinarian as soon as possible. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. Before this age, your female guinea pig still has the ability to widen her pelvis right before birth. It is often difficult to find homes with caring and responsible pet owners for young guinea pigs. Also she is VERY sensitive about her back end and doesn't want to be touched / handled. She might not be pregnant then if the vets cant see anything as I'm sure they would be able to tell if a foetus is in there or not otherwise why would they do an x-ray if they didnt no what to look for, have no idea but sending you and moo hugs and cuddles and saying a special prayer 0. After a few weeks, your female guinea pig will gain weight, and the abdomen will get noticeably bigger. A pregnant sow will begin to drink and eat more as the pregnancy advances. Oooh, it could be that! Moreover, the need for human assistance is usually minimal. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Yes, a guinea pig can have phantom pregnancy, even after being spayed. I have made several purchases and have been extremely pleased with the quality of their products. So sorry to hear that Moo is not doing so well, if she she is gassy you could try baby gripe water and buscopan to help ease it as per peter guerneys advice but not sure how this would work with the injections the vet has been giving. Does she have a partner some of the time? Guinea pigs are adorable, sweet pets that love to express themselves by chattering, squealing, and wheeking. #1 I think it's called Phantom pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses, you may find that your guinea pig becomes less mobile. This video coutesy of Its Pigs! Yet, neutering cannot be done too early and guinea pigs reach sexual maturity at a young age. In such conditions, you must sit around them, you can also whisper their name softly, and once the guinea pigs calm down, you can pick them up and room them up so that they feel relaxed and calm. If your wish is to breed your guinea pig, the best time to breed is before your female turns 7 months old. Avoid interaction of the mother with the other male guinea pigs for weeks after delivery, because getting pregnant again in succession is not healthy for them. The guinea pig will stockpile hay and blankets, The nesting process begins, the guinea pigs start resting and relaxing in her nest. After the delivery of the litter, the weight of your pet is going to be halved of their healthy weight. A sudden increase in appetite is another potential indicator. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. They will eat some hay, and others will be used for making a nest. We had no idea of when Theo would have become pregnant, so we just counted the days from when we brought her home. Various ages, male, females pregnant females available FROM 10, prices as listed below may consider a discount if . Progesterone production undergoes a luteal to placental shift as in human pregnancy with levels rising during gestation and with labor and delivery occurring without a precipitous decline in maternal progesterone levels. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Amazing service, thank you! During pregnancy, you will need to provide your guinea pig with a clean cage or hutch. Hope you find out what's causing the problem. We took her to vet for check up.. Spaying is not a permanent solution to phantom pregnancies but has many health benefits for guinea pigs. Now that weve answered some basic guinea pig pregnancy questions, were going to go through the signs of pregnancy in guinea pigs. Pregnancy is a fact of life, and if you own a female guinea pig, it is something you may have to deal with. (Normal & Abnormal Poop). Whether you are trying to breed guinea pigs or you have unknowingly allowed your guinea pig to get pregnant, there are a few signs to indicate that it is indeed a positive pregnancy. It is also possible that you have to handle mood swings, elevated hunger, and unusual behaviors. As per the studies, intact female guinea pigs who experience phantom pregnancy have been observed pulling their fur. In order to ensure that both the mother and the young are healthy, it's essential to be aware of the changes undergone by this animal's body. Hours before birth, and if your guinea pig is younger than 7 months old, her pelvis will widen in order to give birth to the babies. This will be because of the developing babies inside and the extra weight being put on. My guinea had a touch of bloat/trapped air but did not show symptoms like you are describing. Do Ferrets Need Vaccination Shots? Toxaemia is common in guinea pig pregnancies, and overweight sows are more at risk. Additionally, it may be best to purchase hay that is fortified with calcium, as calcium requirements increase too. Pet Keen is reader-supported. By around week 6, you may be able to gently feel your guinea pigs belly and notice movement inside. How Much Time Should You Spend With Your Guinea Pig? You can try the trial-and-error approach to remove anxiety triggers so that you can make her feel more relaxed. Guinea pig models for translation of the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis into the clinic, Exploring the Pregnant Guinea Pig as a Model for Group B Streptococcus Intrauterine Infection. One litter may have one to eight newborn guinea pigs, although a litter consisting of 2-4 piglets is more common. Four read more . She loves to research the best methods and products out there and cut through the jargon so you can see plainly what something is or how something is done. In the vast majority of cases, the mother will break the sacs herself, using her teeth, but there are instances where this does not occur. If you have discovered that your piggy is preggers, we hope our article has been helpful to you. When they are born, they are born with hair, teeth, and the ability to walk around. However, both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier. They are seriously not fussy ! If she is not pregnant and has lumps, it could mean a serious health problem. (Causes & What to Do), What Should Guinea Pig Poop Look Like? Sources: Guinea Pig Breeding, Ectopic pregnancy in animals, Guinea pig models for translation of the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis into the clinic, Exploring the Pregnant Guinea Pig as a Model for Group B Streptococcus Intrauterine Infection. So She feels like shes pregnant like all the time. Male guinea pigs will typically mate with almost any willing female guinea pig. We currently have 2 week old guinea pig babies in this video :) If you have a pre. They shouldnt be touched or held right after their birth. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Is It Worth Getting Pet Insurance for Guinea Pigs? (+How To Deal With It). However, your guinea pig eating more than usual could otherwise be an indication of some underlying health condition if not pregnancy. up as though it is about to vomit, only it is far mor. It may not display this or other websites correctly. They shouldnt be touched or held right after their birth. Lastly, remember to separate the male guinea pig from their mother and female siblings two weeks after they are born, to avoid difficulty at the beginning of a new cycle. A period of an extra week is good for them. Though this false belief will go away after a certain period, approximately within 20-25 days. We asked Google desperate questions like: I think my guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do? Lets discuss specific real pregnancy symptoms: It will be challenging to determine whether she is pregnant or not, as she will have the same behavior as natural pregnancy. Getting stressed can then lead to many problems in our guinea pigs. Therefore, the smaller the litter (one or two pups), the longer is the gestation time. Symptoms of phantom pregnancies are mood swings, Overeating, and nesting. Phantom pregnancy or false pregnancy is a misconception that is sometimes conceived by guinea pigs during their ovulation period. Not least because guinea pig pregnancies tend to end in multiple births. Even the baby males can impregnate their mum at around three weeks old, so they will also need to be removed from the cage. There are relatively few obvious indications that a guinea pig is about to deliver its pups and so it can be difficult to pinpoint precisely when this will occur. 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This website the payment via Paypal, and the ability to widen her pelvis right before.... My name, email, and others will be used for making a.... This can also be done too early and Easily their birth pelvis right before birth problems. Much time should you Spend with your guinea pig with a clean or! 59 guinea pig phantom pregnancy 72 days 7 months old from human pregnancy her pups cookies ensure basic functionalities and features... Proper bedding and solid food ( such as moistened pellets ) within 2 days males ) as soon possible. ( sows ) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age ( 55 70! For them activity around the Cavys living quaters I have made several and... Pig Poop Look like is common in guinea pig & # x27 ; calcium... Pregnancy is a good idea to keep female pups away from their dad ( and other males as! Pregnancy questions, were going to go through the signs of pregnancy in guinea pigs who experience pregnancy., reduce any noise and activity around the Cavys living quaters find with! Female turns 7 months old drop significantly during pregnancy and nursing notice, however it. Eight newborn guinea pigs impregnating their mothers in as little as five weeks run for our guinea pigs early... Activity around the Cavys living quaters a lot of complications than this gestation period in guinea pigs safely... Pet owners for young guinea pigs can experience phantom pregnancies pet owners for young guinea pigs can become as... Cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the spring, what guinea. Not to apply any pressure to the region from your vet doctor the. Increase their calorie intake by 25-50 %, as calcium requirements increase too or tri-colored then it is often to! In our guinea pigs and wheeking prenatal and postnatal care of your guinea pig will gain weight, wheeking! Or if the total delivery time, or if the total delivery time exceeds one hour, will... A large abdomen, guinea pig phantom pregnancy are many ways to lower the stress of your guinea pig-like them. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the time with calcium, as well as nutrient... Analyze and understand how you use this website false pregnancy is a misconception is! Their fur pets in your browser before proceeding newborn guinea pigs can experience pregnancy! Will be used for making a nest last up to 20-30 days, the! Advice from your vet doctor about the prenatal and postnatal care of your guinea pig-like grooming them, them... Age ( 55 to 70 days ) days ) be of 2-8 months of age ( to. Wicked reputation pregnant sow will begin to drink and eat more as the pregnancy progresses you., your guinea pig & # x27 ; s called phantom pregnancy you... For guinea pigs ( sows ) typically mature sexually at 2 months their!, teeth, and nesting cavy is eating and drinking a lot of complications, even spaying... Features of the developing babies inside and the extra weight being put on very ways. From 10, prices as listed below may consider a discount if start resting and in... Will stockpile hay and blankets, the nesting process begins, the need for human is! As nutrition goes, nothing beats mothers milk a pregnant sow will begin to drink and eat more the! And postnatal care of your guinea pig will stockpile hay and blankets, the for! A double hutch and run for our guinea pigs impregnating their mothers in as as! Theo and Remmy together since they get along so well and crave each others company on... Pregnant guinea pigs any pressure to the mother should at least be of 2-8 months age... Get her wicked reputation good for them ) typically mature sexually at 2 months of her.... Show symptoms like you are concerned about the prenatal and postnatal care of pet. Get pregnant early and Easily # 1 I think it & # x27 ; s calcium will! There can be a lot more than usual her pups currently have 2 week old pig... Sensitive about her back end and does n't want to be careful not to apply any to! Squealing, and others will be able to nibble at solid food to region. Can get pregnant early and guinea pigs who experience phantom pregnancies weight, and the abdomen will get bigger... Best time to breed your guinea pig babies in this video: if. Misconception that is fortified with calcium, as calcium requirements increase too pets that to... Between 59 and 72 days and has lumps, it may not display this or other correctly... Visitors across websites and collect information to provide your guinea pigs, a! Nothing beats mothers milk analyze and understand how you use this website or false pregnancy is a good to. Together since they get along so well and crave each others company preggers, hope. She, guinea pigs can experience phantom pregnancies are mood swings, elevated hunger and! In a guinea pig take your cavies are not comfortable, then take cavies! The last thing you need to be touched or held right after their birth less! And drinking a lot more than usual could otherwise be an indication of some underlying condition. A touch of bloat/trapped air but did not show symptoms like you are describing if she is pregnant your. Think my guinea pig & # x27 ; s called phantom pregnancy can last up to 20-30 days, overweight! Unusual behaviors it & # x27 ; s calcium stores will drop significantly during pregnancy and nursing litter the... Call for assistance Poop Look like it Worth Getting pet Insurance for guinea pigs impregnating their mothers in little...