Guinea pigs are pregnant for about 59-72 days, divided into three stages – ovulation, gestation, and lactation/weaning. Each phase lasts approximately 21 days, with gestation being the longest at 41 days. Then, around day 30 of pregnancy, you’ll notice that your guinea pig’s body will start to change shape and color – this is known as the ‘swelling process.’
Signs of Pregnancy in Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are rodents; as such, they go through a gestation period of about 59-72 days. During this time, you may notice several changes in your guinea pig. For example, she may become very calm and inactive during the early stages of her pregnancy, and her urine may change color and become more concentrated.
Her appetite will likely increase, along with her water consumption. Towards the end of their pregnancy, you’ll be able to see little labradoodle-like babies on either side of your guinea pig’s uterus (womb). Congratulations, guinea pig mom and dad!
Taking Care of a Pregnant Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs are amazing animals that deserve to be taken care of properly. Pregnant guinea pigs need plenty of food, water, and shelter, so make sure you’re ready to provide all that. Ensure the environment is warm, and provide your guinea pig with plenty of hay, fresh vegetables, and toys.
Exercise guinea pigs once a week, but ensure the activity is short and sweet to avoid over-stressing her. Most importantly, be patient while your guinea pig is pregnant – it will all be worth it when she gives birth!
Complications or Concerns With Pregnancy in Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are pregnant for about 72 days, and complications or concerns with pregnancy can arise at any point. As a guinea pig owner, it’s essential to be prepared for anything. This means knowing your guinea pig well and their symptoms if something goes wrong.
In an emergency, remember to keep calm and help your guinea pig get through the tough times together. Remember that every guinea pig is different, and you won’t be able to predict what will happen – take care of your guinea pig, and they’ll take care of themselves!
Interesting Guinea Pig Pregnancy Facts
Guinea pigs are adorable little creatures, and their pregnancy is no different. Here are five interesting piggy pregnancy facts that will help you get to know these furry friends a bit better:
Guinea Pigs Can Fall Pregnant Straight After Giving Birth
Pig breeding has many benefits – one of which is that pregnant female guinea pigs can be in heat right after giving birth. This allows new mothers to get back into their routines quickly and helps reduce the stress they went through during childbirth.
Neutered Male Guinea Pig Can Still Impregnate a Female
Guinea pigs are adorable, cuddly animals that make great pets. However, like all animal kingdom creatures, guinea pigs have their fair share of quirks. One of these is that male guinea pigs can become pregnant even if they have been neutered – a fact that many people don’t know.
Apart from this little-known detail about male guinea pig reproduction, there are other things you should know about these rodents before getting one as your new pet. For instance, Guinea pigs give birth to a litter of six to eight young, and the gestation period is about 21 days.
Average litter size ranges from four to six piggies though it’s usually one or six litters per female (piggy). Male guinea pig babies need constant care and attention until they wean themselves – around eight weeks after being born! Taking good care of your newly acquired pet will be much easier with the correct information.
Pups Need to Stay With Their Mum Until They Are Fully Weaned
Guinea pig pups will be weaned around eight weeks old. At this point, the pups will want to leave their mother and find a new home of their own. It is essential that they do so in a healthy and secure environment, which means staying with mum until they are fully weaned.
Guinea pig pups are very social animals who need to spend time with their family members to get all the necessary nutrients for development. Leaving them behind during this period can negatively affect their emotional and physical health, making it crucial for you as the caring pet owner to ensure that everything goes smoothly until peri-adolescence is reached!
Guinea Pigs Sometimes Eat Their Babies
One common problem with guinea pigs is cannibalism; this occurs when a pregnant guinea pig eats her young baby. Although rare, this can be traumatic for the piglets involved and should be treated as such. After giving birth, the mother will usually care for her newborns until they’re weaned – which can take around four weeks.
Bottle-raised piglets tend to be healthier than those raised by their mothers in the wild, but all guinea pigs eventually leave the colony to find their own homes at about six months old. On average, Guinea pigs living in captivity last around three or four years before they die from natural causes or are put down due to behavioral problems.
Keep Females Babies Away From Their Dad
It’s not surprising that many believe it is best to keep female babies away from their fathers. After all, guinea pigs are pregnant for around 60 days, and the gestation period is approximately 12 weeks, with a little over six weeks of actual pregnancy time. Females will give birth to litters of one to six babies, born blind and deaf but quickly learn to navigate their surroundings using their sense of smell and hearing.
