- Grass hay ( meadow hay or timothy hay): This is excellent hay feed to guinea pigs by their owners. This hay is fresh grass, which is dried out after cutting. ...
- Oat grass: This grass is made by oat grass, which is cropped before it grows. Once the oat cultivates, this hay then does not carry any nutrients for guinea pigs. ...
- Alfalfa grass: This is quite different than usual hay; it is more legume than grass. Alfalfa hay is usually offered to young guinea pigs. ...
What extra stuff should I Feed my guinea pigs?
What Should I Feed My Guinea Pig Daily?
- Vegetables. Apart from an unlimited supply of timothy hay, grown-up guinea pigs need raw and fresh vegetables and fruits, rich in fiber and vitamin C.
- Fruits. Fruits shouldn’t be given too often since they have a much higher level of sugar and acid. ...
- Pellets. ...
- Things You Should Avoid Giving Your Guinea Pig. ...
What do you do for new baby guinea pigs?
Ten tips for introducing a new guinea pig
- It is easier to introduce younger guinea pigs to one another. ...
- If you have an older piggy, it is best to add a baby. ...
- Only put one male in with females. ...
- Before introducing a male to a female, make sure they are neutered. ...
- Make sure there is enough room in their crate. ...
- Only buy hiding houses with two entrances. ...
What's the best food for pigs guinea?
Good fresh foods to feed your guinea pig include:
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Green peppers
- Parsley
- Green and red leaf lettuce
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
How do you care for a baby guinea pig?
- Let your pig get used to the harness. Leave it by their food bowl, let them sniff it.
- Put the harness on your pig for no more than an hour
- Do this daily, but extend the time they have the harness on by a few minutes a day.
- After they seem comfortable with it, take your pig on a walk. Let them lead you.
- Take them for a walk, but you lead them. ...
What kind of milk do you feed a baby guinea pig?
Use full-fat goat's milk, or prepare a milk mixture of half water and half evaporated milk. Soak brown bread in the milk, and offer this to the baby GP on a teaspoon - they'll suck the milk out. This isn't as nutritious as a guinea pig mother's milk, but it's the second best thing.
How do you take care of a newborn guinea pig?
2:345:46What to Do If Your Guinea Pig Had Babies - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut you can also stick to your regular brand and offer parsley which is high in calcium. Too if youMoreBut you can also stick to your regular brand and offer parsley which is high in calcium. Too if you don't feed pellets stick to a variety of veggies herbs and grass dill is great for milk production.
How do you keep baby guinea pigs alive?
To care for baby guinea pigs, get a roomy cage and make sure they can't slip through the spaces between the bars. Feed the pups twice a day, provide a constant supply of fresh water, and handle them often so they can get comfortable with human interaction.
How soon do baby guinea pigs eat?
Baby guinea pigs start nursing in 24 hours, and eat solid foods at three days as mom shows them how.
Can newborn guinea pigs survive without their mother?
Newborn guinea pigs, called pups, are fully furred with eyes open and able to stand shortly after birth. Even so, they cannot fend for themselves and should be nursed for at least 5 days. Guinea pigs make the best mothers and give the pups the best chance at survival.
Can you touch a newborn guinea pig?
Baby guinea pigs should not be held at all for at least one week after birth, and must always be handled very gently.
Can you give guinea pigs kitten milk?
Guinea pigs are herbivorous creatures, and because of that, it is important to avoid ever feeding them any dairy products, including milk, according to the Humane Society of Huron Valley. The furry rodents are lactose intolerant, which means that their bodies simply do not digest dairy items sufficiently or adequately.
Can baby guinea pigs drink from a water bottle?
2:594:32The water bottle for guinea pigs - Information and tip - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWater some people will put a bit of sugar in the water to make them want to drink more then startMoreWater some people will put a bit of sugar in the water to make them want to drink more then start removing it gradually. Water bottles can leak after a while so it's important to check them daily.
Can baby guinea pigs eat fruit?
It is best to leave fruit for guinea pigs as a special treat, perhaps once or twice a week. You can offer fruit for guinea pigs from a young age. Baby guinea pigs can have small amounts of cavy-safe fruit, but since young guinea pigs are even smaller than grown ones, they should have even smaller amounts.
Can baby guinea pigs eat hay?
Young (less than six months old), pregnant, nursing, or ill animals can benefit from eating alfalfa hay in addition to grass hay because of the higher nutritional elements. Otherwise, alfalfa should only be given occasionally as a treat. Keep in mind: Grass hay should make up the majority of your pet's daily diet.
How long do baby guinea pigs need milk?
A mother guinea pig generally feeds her babies for about 3-4 weeks, gradually decreasing the frequency of feedings until they lose interest.
When should baby guinea pigs be separated?
The girls should ideally remain alongside their mothers until they're about 4 weeks in age. When you separate male guinea pigs from their mothers at three weeks, remember to separate them from their female siblings, as well. Just as they can get their mothers pregnant, they can do the same to their sisters.
Do you have to separate male guinea pigs from babies?
Male guinea pigs should be separated from their pups, at least for most of the time, simply because the little ones have to be with their mothers. Newborn guinea pigs can meet their fathers, but only if their mothers aren't around. Don't allow female pups to encounter their dads once they're 21 days old, however.
How to care for a baby guinea pig that is rejected?
How to care for a rejected newborn guinea pigs. When a mom rejects her pup, you will have to step in to keep them healthy. It can seem scary to care for a tiny baby, but humans have successfully taken over for mothers many times. If you find yourself with a rejected baby, don’t panic.
What is a guinea pig baby called?
Guinea pig babies are actually called pups. Female cavies are called sows and males are called boars. The gestation period is about 59 to 72 days or about two months. Newborn guinea pigs weigh only 100 grams but they grow quickly. New babies are born with teeth, claws, and fur.
How many litters can a guinea pig have?
Females can have five litters per year, but this can be quite dangerous for their health. You can find more details about how many babies do guinea pigs have. Any pregnancies at all can be dangerous for your female, so I recommend spaying and neutering your pets as soon as possible.
How to keep guinea pigs from fighting?
They should be able to drink from a water bottle and eat solid foods by the time you separate them at three weeks.
How long do you have to wait to separate guinea pigs from their mothers?
Three weeks after birth is the best time to separate baby guinea pigs from their mothers. You can wait up to four weeks, but that is the maximum amount of time to wait. Males must be separated after 21 days, but females can stay with their mothers. If you wait too long, you risk more breeding.
How long do guinea pigs live with their mother?
They need this time to nurse and grow enough to live on their own. I would consider four weeks to be the maximum amount of time male guinea pigs can stay with their mother. This may seem like a very short period of time, but guinea pigs have shorter lifespans than humans and they age relatively faster.
Can guinea pigs give birth?
This was my biggest fear about guinea pigs giving birth. In the wild, an animal that is rejected by their mother is usually left with little chance of survival. There are some situations where a mother guinea pig may reject their baby, but you can still keep the baby safe and healthy.
How soon can you handle a baby guinea pig?
It is perfectly fine to handle your new guinea pigs within the first week. Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. At first your guinea pig baby may seem afraid when you pick him up. Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort.
What are baby guinea pigs called?
Baby guinea pigs are called pups just like baby dogs. When baby guinea pigs grow up the males are called boars and the females are called sows. Just like adult pigs! Even though they share similar names, guinea pigs do not belong to either the dog or pig family. Rather, they belong to a rodent species called cavies.
How old do guinea pigs have to be to be weaned?
This is necessary to prevent pregnancy. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. By six weeks of age baby guinea pigs are self-sufficient and fully weaned. They have learned quite a few life skills from their mother and are ready to go to their new homes.
What happens to guinea pigs after delivery?
Following delivery, your guinea pig mama will be exhausted and hungry. She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs.
Why do guinea pigs look so fast?
Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. Male guinea pigs have a donut-shaped opening. If you push gently on their lower abdomen the penis may appear. Female guinea pigs have a Y-shaped opening close to their anus.
How big is a guinea pig pup?
A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. They are able to see, hear and move around once they are born. They look a little bit awkward as they begin to move around.
How much space between guinea pig bars?
You don’t want them to escape! Most guinea pigs cages are designed for adult guinea pigs with a one inch space between the bars. This is just enough space to allow the guinea pigs to escape.
How to feed a baby guinea pig?
If you have a very young baby guinea pig who has been rejected by its mother, you will need to hand-feed it. Hand-feeding should be done with a teaspoon rather than with a syringe. Baby guinea pigs can easily inhale the liquid in the syringe by accident and choke. Use full-fat goat’s milk, or prepare a milk mixture of half water ...
How to make a baby GP?
Use full-fat goat’s milk, or prepare a milk mixture of half water and half evaporated milk. Soak brown bread in the milk, and offer this to the baby GP on a teaspo on - they’ll suck the milk out. This isn't as nutritious as a guinea pig mother's milk, but it's the second best thing.
How to care for a female guinea pig?
This is important whether you are bringing home pups or caring for the ones that your female guinea pig has given birth to. Guinea pigs can be very sensitive to noise, so your pups will need to stay in a quiet area during their first few weeks of life.
How long does it take for a guinea pig to give birth?
Female guinea pigs typically give birth to an average of three pups per litter. The birthing process usually takes about 30 minutes, with about three to five minutes between pups. You will know when the process is over when all pups have been delivered and the mother has eaten the placenta and cleaned the pups.
How big should a guinea pig cage be?
The cage should be at least 7.5 square feet. If you purchased pups from the pet store, make sure that the cage is large enough before you leave the store. [1]
What does a guinea pig look like?
Female guinea pigs will have what looks like a tiny grain of rice in their genital area. Male guinea pigs will have a white ring in this area. It is recommended to have your veterinarian or a guinea pig expert determine the sex of your pups, if this has not already been done at the pet store.
What diseases can guinea pigs get?
Monitor your pups for sickness. Guinea pigs are susceptible to many types of diseases, such as heat stress, foot pad infections, and pneumonia. Because pups need a lot of vitamin C in their diet, a deficiency of this vitamin can cause a disease called scurvy.
How long can a guinea pig stay with its mother?
Female pups can stay with their mother until four weeks of age. Guinea pigs are usually ready to begin leading more independent lives when they are around six weeks old, but you should still aim to separate them by three to four weeks of age if necessary. ...
How long do puppies nurse?
If the pups are still with their mother, they will start nursing within about 24 hours of birth and will continue nursing for about three weeks (before they reach sexual maturity). They will nurse from their mother during the first few days of life, then transition to solid food and mimic how their mother eats. ...
What Do Baby Guinea Pigs Eat?
One of the most important things to know is that guinea pig babies need more calcium in their diets, particularly during the first few weeks. The extra calcium is required to ensure that they develop sturdy, long-lasting bones. Alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets are both rich in calcium, as is suggested by my recommendation.
What Do Baby Guinea Pigs Eat As Pets?
Guinea pigs are omnivores and like to eat a variety of vegetables. People who are new to guinea pig keeping are surprised to learn what they consume. Health issues can be caused by eating excessive sweet veggies such as lettuce or carrots. Instead, your guinea pigs prefer dry grass over other types of food.
How Much Do Baby Guinea Pigs Eat?
Guinea pigs, like all other mammals, drink their mother’s milk for the first few days before gradually introducing it and then giving them solid food. If you have a very young guinea pig who has been abandoned by its mother, you must hand-feed it.
How To Feed Baby Guinea Pigs?
Before using, double-check that all of your syringes and bottles have been cleaned thoroughly. Baby guinea pigs are lively and unpredictable. They spring forward suddenly and unpredictably. A fall of only a few feet might be deadly, so make sure they’re receiving food and being kept in a secure place.
What Are The Natural Predators of Baby Guinea Pigs?
Guinea Pigs are preyed on by a number of other animal species in the mountains due to their tiny size and natural inclination to freeze before attempting to flee rapidly back to their burrows. The most common predators for wild Guinea Pigs are weasels and birds of prey in areas where they reside near human settlements.
How Do Baby Guinea Pigs Protect Themselves From Predators?
Guinea pigs are herd animals by nature, and they will look to move around rather than stay together. They enjoy the companionship of others and will use one another to defend themselves. When in the wild, they’ll alternate turns looking for danger and calling out to each other when it approaches.
How Can I Protect My Pet Baby Guinea Pigs?
Keeping your guinea pig inside is one of the most apparent and easiest methods to keep them protected. Even if you live in a tiny flat or a large home, you can always find enough space if you put your mind to it.
Guinea Pig Baby Facts
These babies become alert very quickly, born able to see. Labor normally only takes all of 30 minutes.
Guinea Pig Babies Just Born – Handling 101
You can’t help but be surprised how tiny these fellows are; surprised they can move about at all. They look so delicate you’re afraid to even touch them.
Baby Guinea Pig Food
What do these little ones eat, anyway? How in the world are you going to ensure quality nutrition to both mother and pups?
