A feminine guinea pig is named a sow, whereas a male guinea pig is named a boar. Like most species of rodents, guinea pigs are very prolific and housing men and women collectively will virtually definitely result in breeding. Nonetheless, the dangers related to breeding these animals (notably for the feminine) makes it tough to justify breeding these animals with out the suitable experience.
On this article, we’ll focus on the fundamentals about guinea pig copy.
Vital Disclaimer
For animal welfare, veterinarians don’t advocate or encourage breeding guinea pigs. Breeding guinea pigs virtually at all times reduces the lifespan of the feminine, and discovering accountable house owners for younger guinea pigs is usually a daunting process. Guinea pigs can indiscriminately breed with their offspring, siblings, or mother and father. Breeding these animals is a process greatest left to an skilled breeder. For these causes, it’s best to deal with female and male guinea pigs individually.
Spaying or neutering a guinea pig might be executed by vets who’re skilled with small mammals.
The data on this article is for informational functions solely. At PetKeen, we don’t encourage breeding guinea pigs.
The Greatest Age to Breed Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs change into sexually mature at a younger age 1. Females are sexually mature by as younger as 4-8 weeks, whereas males are sexually mature by 8 to 12 weeks of age. Though guinea pigs are able to mate at 8 weeks, it doesn’t imply they need to.
Females are normally bred earlier than they attain 8 months of age. As a sow reaches maturity, she undergoes a standard stiffening of the pubic symphysis (a joint of powerful fibrous cartilage between the two pubic bones of the pelvis). Breeding a feminine guinea pig for the primary time after she reaches 8 months of age is harmful due to the a stiffened pubic symphysis with out a prior being pregnant will possible result in a sow who might not have the ability to ship their younger usually.
Male guinea pigs are polyamorous, to allow them to impregnate multiple sow because the sows come into warmth. To keep away from this, it’s best to maintain men and women separated. For combined intercourse colonies of guinea pigs, it’s normally the males which can be neutered, nonetheless, guinea pigs generally (no matter their intercourse) don’t deal with anesthesia nicely and subsequently, the simplest means of avoiding undesirable litters is to maintain men and women separated.
Guinea Pigs Warmth and Gestation Cycle
Feminine guinea pigs go into warmth each 16 days ranging from sexual maturity, which lasts about 12 hours 2. The set off for a warmth cycle is at the moment unknown and a sexually mature feminine might begin biking at any level. Nonetheless, it’s postulated that they have a tendency to cycle extra readily round springtime.
There isn’t any proof that the male guinea pig goes into warmth, although their habits can change dramatically after they notice a feminine has proven indicators of being in warmth.
The indicators a feminine is in warmth are:
Watch out when having a number of unfixed guinea pigs in the identical cage. If an unfixed male is aware of a sow is in warmth, they’ll struggle different males as a part of courtship to find out who will impregnate the feminine. One of the best ways to keep away from this aggressive habits is to choose a feminine and a male and put them collectively in a separate cage till your sow is pregnant.
So, how do guinea pigs mate? A feminine will go into warmth, and the chosen male will cuddle, groom, and vocalize with the feminine guinea. As soon as a bond has been shaped, the male will mount the feminine and impregnate her. Females are sometimes receptive at evening, and subsequently, these amorous actions can go unnoticed. After profitable pairing and impregnation, you’ll be able to anticipate your feminine guinea pig to remain pregnant for 59 to 72 days.
Whereas it’s unclear whether or not females and males shall be separated through the being pregnant, watching your pregnant sow for indicators of misery is a good suggestion. Nonetheless, retaining all males away from the sow and her infants is greatest as soon as your pregnant sow has given start.
Word
Feminine guinea pigs start a brand new estrous cycle shortly after they provide start. It’s not uncommon for a feminine with newborns to conceive shortly after she offers start.
Indicators a Sow Is Pregnant
There are few indicators of a sow being pregnant, although it’s a great likelihood a being pregnant was profitable if she had gone into warmth and was paired with a sexually mature male. Noticeable indicators embody weight acquire and a bigger stomach. Nonetheless, bodily indicators of being pregnant received’t present till about 2 to three weeks.
If an unaltered female and male spent a while collectively in a cage, there’s a great likelihood that your feminine is pregnant. Should you suspect your guinea pig is pregnant, taking her to see a vet instantly is a good suggestion. Being pregnant might be misdiagnosed at dwelling with cysts.
Your vet can inform in case your feminine guinea pig is pregnant and can advise you on what to do subsequent and any issues to concentrate on.
Being pregnant Issues
The most typical being pregnant complication in guinea pigs is being pregnant toxemia (pregnancy ketosis). Being pregnant ketosis is frightening as a result of it happens close to the previous couple of days of being pregnant.
Some indicators embody:
Instantly search veterinary care for those who suspect that your feminine guinea pig is experiencing being pregnant ketosis.
Different being pregnant issues embody:
One of the best ways to avoid these complications is to make sure you’ve paired a wholesome sow and boar for a deliberate being pregnant. Sustaining a nutritious diet for the sow and lowering as a lot stress as potential all through her being pregnant, alongside veterinary care are additionally key in avoiding being pregnant issues.
Should you suspect your sow has any problem or change in habits all through her being pregnant, take her to see a vet instantly.
Easy methods to Look after a Pregnant Guinea Pig
Pregnant guinea pigs have all the identical necessities as non-pregnant guinea pigs, besides they’ll want extra of every thing whereas they care for his or her fetuses. Since guinea pigs are social animals who really feel most comfy in teams, it’s a good suggestion to have not less than one different cage mate with them (ideally one other feminine). Nonetheless, if having one other feminine as a cage-mate, a male is an alternative choice, although you’ll have to pay additional consideration in case fights or aggression breaks out.
Caring for a pregnant guinea pig is a number of work, however you can also make it easy by following this straightforward routine:
By the last 2 weeks of your guinea pig’s pregnancy, you’ll wish to separate her from her cage mates so she will be able to put together for labor undisturbed. Over the past 2 weeks, you could wish to test on her by the evening to make sure every thing is okay. Name your vet while you suspect she’ll be giving start. Typically, it’s greatest if she delivers her infants on the pet hospital.
How Many Infants Can Sows Have on Common?
Pregnant guinea pigs can have up to eight pups, although first-timers are prone to have three to 4. It’s greatest to not put the daddy or any male within the cage with new child pups and feminine guinea moms, because it’s very straightforward to change into pregnant once more hours after supply.
Easy methods to Look after New child Guinea Pigs
Newborn guinea pigs are thought of precocial. Which means that they’re extremely unbiased at start. They’re born with hair, are capable of see, and may run. They are going to nurse from their mom however can nibble on solids when they’re as younger as 2 days previous. They need to be allowed to nurse from their mom for a interval of about 3 weeks. They are often weaned once they weigh round 6 pounces (170 grams).
Listed below are some ideas for pup-proofing the guinea cage:
You can begin dealing with pups beginning about 2 weeks of age. Nonetheless, the sow should belief you; in any other case, she might abandon her newbies. Bear in mind, sexual maturation age reaches as early as 8 weeks, so it’s greatest to get your female and male guinea pigs separated as they mature to keep away from inbreeding and undesirable litters.
Closing Phrases
Breeding guinea pigs takes time, endurance, in-depth information, and planning to make sure every thing goes easily. Should you’re planning to breed your guinea pigs, preserve word of how previous your guinea pigs are. Should you attempt to breed them for the primary time too early or too late after sexual maturity, the possibility of issues will increase.
Guinea pigs are social animals who want cage mates and socialization all through their 8 years of life. It’s greatest to not breed guinea pigs for those who’re unwilling to fulfill their every day wants and create optimistic routines, for threat of bringing them to a shelter.
In any case, guinea pigs are cute at any age and thrive in packs.
Featured Picture Credit score: Joline Greim,Shutterstock
