Guinea pigs are pregnant for around 63 days give or take a few days. The average litter size is between two and four though litters of up to six are not unheard of. Guinea pigs usually give birth without any problems but it is always best to be prepared in case something does go wrong.
Before giving birth a guinea pig’s stomach will become very large and round. She may also start to Nest – this is where she will collect bedding material and make a soft cosy nest in which to have her babies. It is important to leave her to Nest and not disturb her too much during this time as she needs to be relaxed and comfortable.
Once the babies are born they are fully furred and have their eyes open. They are able to walk and feed straight away. The mother guinea pig will usually clean them and will then start to feed them. It is important to make sure that the mother has plenty of hay and water available as she will be eating and drinking more to produce milk for her babies.
The babies will start to wean off their mother’s milk at around three weeks old and will be fully weaned by six weeks. They can then be separated from their mother and put into their own cage.
Guinea pigs are relatively easy to breed and litters can be produced relatively easily. However it is always important to seek advice from a vet or experienced breeder before breeding to make sure that everything is done correctly and that the guinea pigs are healthy and happy.
How long does the average guinea pig pregnancy last?
Answer: The average guinea pig pregnancy lasts about 63-70 days.
How can you tell if a guinea pig is pregnant?
Answer: Some signs that a guinea pig may be pregnant are weight gain nesting and a change in appetite.
What should you do if you think your guinea pig is pregnant?
Answer: If you think your guinea pig may be pregnant it is best to take her to the vet to be sure and to get advice on how to care for her during her pregnancy.
How many babies do guinea pigs usually have?
Answer: The average litter size for guinea pigs is two to four babies but some litters can be as large as six or seven.
How big are guinea pig babies when they are born?
Answer: Guinea pig babies or pups are born fully furred and are about the size of a grape.
Do guinea pigs need any special care during pregnancy?
Answer: Yes guinea pigs pregnant need special care and attention.
Their cage should be cleaned more often and they should be given extra hay vegetables and water.
Can guinea pigs get pregnant again immediately after giving birth?
Answer: Yes guinea pigs can become pregnant again very quickly after giving birth.
How long do guinea pigs nurse their babies for?
Answer: Guinea pigs nurse their babies for about three to four weeks.
What should you do if you have a pregnant guinea pig and a baby guinea pig?
Answer: If you have a pregnant guinea pig and a baby guinea pig it is best to keep them in separate cages.
Do male and female guinea pigs get along?
Answer: No male and female guinea pigs should not be kept together because the males will try to mate with the females and may hurt them.
My guinea pig is pregnant and her stomach is getting very large.
Is this normal?
Answer: Yes it is normal for a guinea pig’s stomach to get very large during pregnancy as they are carrying multiple babies.
I think my guinea pig is going to have her babies soon.
What should I do?
Answer: If you think your guinea pig is going to have her babies soon it is best to provide her with a nesting box or something similar for her to have her babies in.
My guinea pig just had her babies.
How many should I expect?
Answer: The average litter size for guinea pigs is two to four babies but some litters can be as large as six or seven.
Do guinea pigs make good mothers?
Answer: Yes guinea pigs make good mothers and usually take good care of their babies.
What do guinea pig babies eat?
Answer: For the first few weeks guinea pig babies drink their mother’s milk.
After a few weeks they can start eating hay vegetables and water.
