If you have a couple of guinea pigs at home, but it will be important to know how many babies the female gives birth to.
In basic, veterinarians do not suggest that specific family pet owners attempt to breed guinea pigs. It is often difficult to find homes for young guinea pigs with caring and accountable animal owners. Reproducing often minimizes the life expectancy of female guinea pigs and beginning to reproduce after 8 months of age can be very dangerous for a female guinea pig. The reason for this is the normal stiffening of the symphysis (a joint of difficult fibrous cartilage between the 2 pubic bones of the pelvis) when the female reaches their adult years. Sows who maturate without a prior pregnancy may not have the ability to provide their young normally. Cesarean sections are seldom successful in guinea pigs even when carried out by a veterinarian who has experience with guinea pigs.
Male guinea pigs (boars) develop sexually and can mate as young as 3 months of age. Female guinea pigs (plants) mature sexually as young as 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). Females can have estrous or fertile durations at any time of the year, however they are most typical in the spring. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 hours, usually during night hours. They begin a new estrous cycle quickly after giving birth.
Quantity of Babies
The guinea pig gestation period is 59 to 73 days. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, however a litter of 2 to 4 is more common.
How many times can a guinea pig have babies? A female can bring to life approximately 5 litters annually.
When a guinea pig will give birth, any male guinea pigs near her will collect around and try to become the dominant male in order to both protect the female and mate with her. The female has a short postpartum estrus that will last for just about half a day and, without a dominant male, all the males will try to mate with the new mom.
Care of Newborns
Newborn guinea pigs weigh about 3.5 ounces (100 grams). Even at such a small size, they have hair and have the ability to see and run. They will nurse from their mom, however are able to munch at solid food (such as moistened pellets) within 2 days. The mom has a single set of mammary glands from which the newborns will nurse until about 3 weeks of age. When they reach about 6 ounces (180 grams), the offspring will stop nursing and eat the exact same foods as their parents.
It is essential to begin to thoroughly handle young guinea pigs when they are just 2 or 3 weeks old. This is the period when young guinea pigs will establish bonds with human beings and learn how to accept being held.
Spaying
Some owners would like to sterile their male guinea pig. Making sterile or neutering of animal guinea pigs can be done by a vet experienced in dealing with small animals, but the surgery can be expensive and does bring risks. Sterilizing a male is typically easier than spaying a female. However, guinea pigs often do not react well to surgery, anesthesia, or being kept in unknown surroundings. The best, simplest, and least pricey method to prevent breeding is to house male and female guinea pigs separately.
If you do decide to have your guinea pig made sterile or neutered, look for a vet who has actually effectively done a large number of these surgical treatments. After the surgery, keep your family pet peaceful and separated from other guinea pigs while recuperating. A small, clean cage with towels for bedding works well. The towels need to be altered a minimum of twice a day. Check to see that the guinea pig is drinking and eat; additional vitamin C may likewise be handy.
