Breeding Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are almost too easy to breed: females can become pregnant again within 12 hours of giving birth. Guinea pigs usually give birth to between two and four babies, but can have as little as one and as many as nine or ten (however the normal maximum is 6, and those litters with more are extremely rare). Babies are born fully furred with their eyes open. They are usually taken from their mothers at four weeks and sold from eight weeks of age.
Female baby guinea pigs can get pregnant at three weeks old, however it is strongly advised that this not be allowed to happen as their little bodies can have difficulties giving birth at such a young age. It is therefore advised that baby males are separated from their mothers and sisters at four weeks old, and that fathers not be left in with daughters after the daughters reach two weeks old.
It is unadvised to leave sows in with boars when they are due to give birth as the sow will become pregnant again within hours of giving birth, if left with the boar. Sows should only be allowed to have one or two litters per year, as having multiple litters will take a toll on the mothers body, weakening her, and possibly eventually killing her.
Owners must consider breeding their cavies very carefully before the decide to mate them, as there are many complications that can occur due to breeding difficulties, and with every litter a sow has, there is a risk of losing either her or the bubs.
If you notice your pregnant sow is shaking or trembling, is off her food, is drooling, or has any form of paralysis in her legs, you must rush her to the vet immediately as she may have pregnancy toxaemia, and/or eclampsia, and will need emergency treatment, however if she does have toxaemia, there is little that can be done.
To help prevent the onset of toxaemia, small doses of calcium supplement can be given daily. Also, small doses of an electrolyte like Lectade can be added to pregnant sows water to keep their energy levels up.
Hand rearing orphaned baby cavies
If baby cavies are orphaned, or rejected by their mothers, it is possible to foster bubs off to another sow with a simailar aged litter. If a foster mother will not feed them, then they can be hand reared by their owners. A mixture of evaporated milk mixed with water, or puppy and kitten milk, can be mixed with baby cereal, and a couple of drops of Pentavite, and fed with an eye dropper or from the tip of a small spoon.
Wate must also be available at all times for bubs, and a warm snuggle bag or towel should be used for bedding, and a hot water bottle or heat pad used for colder weather to provide warmth. If possible, a gentle older sow can kept with the babies for company, as they may provide extra warmth and comfort for the bubs.
Female baby guinea pigs can get pregnant at three weeks old, however it is strongly advised that this not be allowed to happen as their little bodies can have difficulties giving birth at such a young age. It is therefore advised that baby males are separated from their mothers and sisters at four weeks old, and that fathers not be left in with daughters after the daughters reach two weeks old.
It is unadvised to leave sows in with boars when they are due to give birth as the sow will become pregnant again within hours of giving birth, if left with the boar. Sows should only be allowed to have one or two litters per year, as having multiple litters will take a toll on the mothers body, weakening her, and possibly eventually killing her.
Owners must consider breeding their cavies very carefully before the decide to mate them, as there are many complications that can occur due to breeding difficulties, and with every litter a sow has, there is a risk of losing either her or the bubs.
If you notice your pregnant sow is shaking or trembling, is off her food, is drooling, or has any form of paralysis in her legs, you must rush her to the vet immediately as she may have pregnancy toxaemia, and/or eclampsia, and will need emergency treatment, however if she does have toxaemia, there is little that can be done.
To help prevent the onset of toxaemia, small doses of calcium supplement can be given daily. Also, small doses of an electrolyte like Lectade can be added to pregnant sows water to keep their energy levels up.
Hand rearing orphaned baby cavies
If baby cavies are orphaned, or rejected by their mothers, it is possible to foster bubs off to another sow with a simailar aged litter. If a foster mother will not feed them, then they can be hand reared by their owners. A mixture of evaporated milk mixed with water, or puppy and kitten milk, can be mixed with baby cereal, and a couple of drops of Pentavite, and fed with an eye dropper or from the tip of a small spoon.
Wate must also be available at all times for bubs, and a warm snuggle bag or towel should be used for bedding, and a hot water bottle or heat pad used for colder weather to provide warmth. If possible, a gentle older sow can kept with the babies for company, as they may provide extra warmth and comfort for the bubs.