How Many Babies Do Guinea Pigs Have? | Pregnant Guinea Pig

If you’re a proud guinea pig parent, or if you’re considering adding one to your family, you might be curious about How Many Babies Do Guinea Pigs Have? Knowing the answer can help you plan for lots of extra love and cuddles in your future. Guinea pigs are beloved by their human companions due to their sweet personalities and gentle natures – but they also produce quite a few offspring. Read on to learn more about these amazing creatures, as well as everything else there is to know about guinea pig reproduction.

Breeding and reproduction of the Guinea Pigs

Females can experience estrous or fertile periods throughout the year, with a higher frequency observed in the spring. The estrous cycle typically lasts for 16 days. Fertility, lasting for a duration of approximately 6 to 11 hours, is most commonly observed during nighttime. It is worth noting that female guinea pigs promptly commence a new estrous cycle shortly after giving birth.

The gestation period for guinea pigs ranges from 59 to 72 days. The size of a litter can vary between 1 to 8 pups, although a litter of 2 to 4 is more commonly seen. It is possible for a female to give birth to up to 5 litters within a year.

Do guinea pigs have any reproductive problems?

Female guinea pigs may experience reproductive problems if not bred before 7 months of age. Delaying the first breeding can lead to serious (potentially life-threatening) delivery issues. Successful delivery of the young requires the widening of a portion of the pregnant sow’s pelvis.

Mating rituals of Guinea Pigs

During mating, a receptive sow displays active behavior by roaming and running inside the cage. She interacts with other sows, arches her back when approached by the boar, and allows sniffing, licking, nibbling, and mounting. After one or two mating attempts, the mating process concludes.

How will I know if guinea pig is pregnant?

To determine if your guinea pig is pregnant, observe changes in her eating and drinking habits. An increase in hay consumption or water intake may indicate the possibility of pregnancy.

What are different stages of guinea pig pregnancy?

Guinea pig pregnancy progresses through several stages. Firstly, if a sow has been in contact with a boar, she may already be pregnant due to accidental cohabitation at pet shops. The gestation period for guinea pigs is typically between 63 to 70 days, with the length often influenced by litter size. Around the middle of gestation, you will observe weight gain and a larger abdomen. As pregnancy advances, you may even feel the movement of the foetuses inside the sow.

Changes in eating habits of guinea pig pregnancy

During the late stages of pregnancy, the sow may increase her food intake up to three times the usual amount. It is crucial to ensure easy access to food and water during this period, avoid restricting dietary calcium, and provide vitamin C supplementation. Additionally, newborn guinea pigs typically weigh between 50 and 100g.

Diet for a pregnant guinea pig

During pregnancy, it is important to supplement pregnant sows with calcium and vitamin C to support the growth of their pups. Avoid overfeeding pelleted/muesli diets, as this can result in large babies that may be difficult to pass. However, do not attempt to diet overweight guinea pigs during this time, as it can lead to a fatal condition known as pregnancy toxaemia. Ensure to provide alfalfa hay, along with unlimited amounts of regular hay, and incorporate a daily selection of fruits and vegetables into their diet.

Right amounts and recommended foods to pregnant guinea pig

For pregnant guinea pigs, it is recommended to provide a pellet-based food. They should be given about 1/8 cup per guinea pig per day. Pellets should be available at all times, even if it means feeding more than 1/8 cup per day. Additionally, for pregnant guinea pigs (or nursing guinea pigs or those that are 6 months or less), pellets with some alfalfa can be included. It is important to note that alfalfa is calcium-rich. Guinea pigs under 6 months require the extra calcium for proper development. However, guinea pigs over 6 months should be fed timothy pellets. This helps reduce the likelihood of stone formation, as a diet high in calcium can cause painful stones that often require surgery to remove.

Guide to guinea pig pregnancy

During guinea pig pregnancy, the gestation period typically lasts from 59 to 72 days. The litter size can vary between 1 to 8 pups, although a litter of 2 to 4 is more commonly observed. It is important to note that a female guinea pig can give birth to up to 5 litters per year.

How to care for pregnant guinea pig?

When caring for a pregnant guinea pig, it is important to note that their vitamin C requirement doubles to 20mg daily. Therefore, it is necessary to provide them with fresh fruits or vegetables on a daily basis. It is crucial to give them fresh food and avoid storing it in the fridge or cutting it into pieces, as this leads to a significant loss of vitamin C within a few hours. Additionally, the sow will need twice as much food as usual during this time.

Potential complications and labor/birth preparation guinea pig

The mortality rate for sows during childbirth is approximately 20%. To ensure a healthy guinea pig pregnancy, it is recommended to breed them before they reach 7 months of age. After this age, the pelvic bones of female guinea pigs harden, making it difficult for them to have a natural vaginal birth. If your guinea pig is older than 7 months and has never given birth before, it is advisable to have a trained professional available to assist and potentially perform a caesarean section. This intervention can increase the chances of a successful birth and reduce the risk to the guinea pig’s wellbeing.

How many babies do guinea pigs have?

Guinea pigs typically have a litter size ranging from 1 to 8 pups, although a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. A female guinea pig has the capability to give birth to up to 5 litters per year.

Are babies guinea pigs easy to breed?

Breeding baby guinea pigs is not a complex task, but it should be approached with caution to avoid any risks. To ensure a safe pregnancy, it is important that female guinea pigs (sows) are young and in good health. For more information on guinea pig breeding, you can consult the expert nursing team at Towcester Veterinary Centre.

Risks associated when breeding guinea pigs for the first time

Breeding guinea pigs for the first time carries several risks that should be considered. Delaying a female’s first pregnancy after 6 months of age can lead to severe birthing complications, potentially risking the lives of both the mother and her piglets. One such complication is when the pelvis fuses together around 8 months, necessitating a caesarean delivery.

Additionally, there is a risk of pregnancy toxaemia, with stress, obesity, advancing age, lack of exercise, fasting during pregnancy, and having many babies being contributing factors. Signs of toxaemia may not become apparent until two weeks before birth. To prevent these risks, it is crucial to reduce stress, maintain the guinea pig’s fitness and overall health, provide a nutritious diet, and ensure access to fresh water. Housing the guinea pig indoors or in a sheltered area can also help mitigate potential risks associated with cold weather.

Postnatal guinea pig care advice

Puppies are typically weaned at 21 days (3 weeks), although milk supplementation can continue until 4 weeks. It is recommended to introduce hay, guinea pig pellets, and small amounts of vegetables from birth. Young guinea pigs learn about safe foods by observing adults eat. Fresh grass, vegetables, and greens are excellent sources of vitamin C. Ensure an adequate supply of alfalfa hay for young guinea pigs as it provides essential nutrients and calcium for growth. Be cautious not to overfeed alfalfa hay to non-lactating adults as it can cause excessive calcium in the bladder.

Prevention of future pregnancies in guinea pigs

A highly effective and cost-efficient method for preventing breeding in guinea pigs is to house males and females separately. If you choose to have your guinea pig spayed or neutered, it is advisable to seek a veterinarian experienced in performing a significant number of these surgeries.

FAQ: baby guinea pigs

How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter?

Litter sizes in guinea pigs typically range from 1 to 6 young, with an average of 3. Abortions and stillbirths are common throughout their breeding lives. Regarding the first litter, guinea pigs usually give birth to an initial batch of young.

How long do guinea pig babies stay with mom?

The average duration for mother guinea pigs to nurse their babies is approximately 3-4 weeks. However, if the piggies weigh enough, they can be separated and weaned as early as 2 weeks old. It is generally considered safe to do so once they reach a weight of 150g or more.

What is the most babies a guinea pig has ever had?

The highest number of pups ever recorded in a litter by a guinea pig is 9. This impressive feat was achieved by Casperina, an Australian Guinea Pig, in 1992. All 9 pups managed to survive, making it a remarkable record that stands to this day.