Guinea pigs have a relatively long gestation period for their size averaging 59–72 days. It is not uncommon for first-time mothers to give birth a few days outside of this range. You’ll know your guinea pig is getting close to giving birth when she starts to build a nest out of straw and any other materials she can find. The nest is used both for labor and delivery and for raising the newborns.
Your guinea pig will give birth to anywhere from one to six babies though the average litter size is three. The newborns are called “kits” and are born fully furred and with their eyes open. They are able to eat solid food immediately but will continue to nurse from their mother for the first few weeks of life.
Once the kits are born it’s important to keep a close eye on them to make sure they are nursing and staying warm. If you notice any of the babies are not nursing or seem cold you will need to bottle feed them and provide supplemental heat. Guinea pigs are very vulnerable to drafts so make sure their cage is in a warm protected area.
As the kits grow they will start to explore their cage and play with each other. Around four weeks of age they will be fully weaned and ready to be moved to their own cage. At this point you can also start to introduce them to other guinea pigs if you have multiple pigs in your home.
If you have any questions or concerns about your guinea pig’s pregnancy or the birth process be sure to talk to your veterinarian. They will be able to answer any questions and help you ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery for your guinea pig.
gestation period for a guinea pig is about 63-70 days
63-70 days
A guinea pig can get pregnant as early as 4 weeks old
4 weeks old
A female guinea pig can become pregnant again immediately after giving birth
immediately after giving birth
A guinea pig can have as many as 6-8 babies at a time
6-8 babies
A guinea pig’s pregnancy is usually shorter if she has been pregnant before
shorter if she has been pregnant before
A guinea pig’s appetite may increase during pregnancy
increase during pregnancy
A guinea pig may experience nesting behavior before giving birth
experience nesting behavior before giving birth
It is important to provide extra hay and fresh vegetables for a pregnant guinea pig
extra hay and fresh vegetables
A pregnant guinea pig may need more frequent grooming
more frequent grooming
A pregnant guinea pig may need a larger cage
larger cage
A pregnant guinea pig may need to be isolated from other guinea pigs
isolated from other guinea pigs
A pregnant guinea pig may need to see a vet
see a vet
A pregnant guinea pig’s babies are called kittens
kittens
A guinea pig can give birth anywhere from 29-72 days after becoming pregnant
29-72 days
A guinea pig’s gestation period can vary depending on a number of factors
gestation period can vary