Baby Guinea Pigs
Are you looking to see what baby guinea pigs look like? Check out this video and see how adorable these pups are!
Baby Guinea Pigs
Quite remarkably baby guinea pigs are born with full hearing, sight and a fully developed coat of hair.
Only after a few hours of being born they start to master running! They also have a full set of teeth with just the back molars needing to grow through. Having these abilities at birth is very advantageous to their survival in the wild..
The average weight at birth rings in from 1.5 to 4 ounces, for multiple birth babies. Singular birth babies tend to weigh more, however it is a very rare occurrence.
It is a good idea to start weighing them after the mother has had time to clean and bond with them. Monitoring and tracking their weight is key to their health and growth process.
When you weight them in the first few days, their weight for a healthy baby will remain fairly steady, and sometimes might even drop a half ounce. However from that point on, they should be gaining approximately 1/8 of an ounce per day.
In addition to their mothers milk, in the first few days they also begin eating solids. Don’t be surprised if you see the babies eating their mothers feces, as this is a natural process and their are necessary vitiam requirement stored in it for their growth.
They will continue to grow until there are about 15 month in age. However, the growth rate drops quickly as they age in time. A full grown male on average will weigh around 35 to 64 ounces and the female 24-35 ounces. If they grow larger is could be from extra fat deposits.
The average life expectancy of a guinea pig is from 5 to 8 years of age, and in some cases has been recorded longer. What they are fed, exercised, care and diseases will greatly effect their lifespan.
On average a guinea pig that is 6 to 7 years of age is consider old and living their senior years.
Guinea Pig Sounds
Are you hearing guinea pig sounds and curious what your pet is trying to say or tell you? As they are natural herd animals in the wild, communication is necessary between them for their longevity and have developed vocalization to express their feelings or warnings. Here are watch some of their sounds and meanings possibly could mean:
LOUD squeal or high pitch whistling. This is used to communicate to members of their herd that danger is approaching or near. It can also be an expression of fear or pain. Sometimes it can be used to get attention. With humans, they will use this technique to request for food or are suspecting that food is on it’s way or could have a potential to be on it’s way!
Purring or rumbling is often meant that they dislike the situation or what is going on around them. Sometimes in the mating process purring is used by the males.
There is nothing like a guinea pig cooing at you. It is a sound of comfort and affection. If you are lucky enough for your pet to coo at you, then your pet is comfortable and trusting in you and a bonding experience. In herds it is common to hear them giving a coo to each other. You can hear mom cooing to her pups.
Grunting is a friendly greeting often used when with nose touching amongst themselves.
Gurgling sound is a good sign! It is one way of a pet to express they are content. It is often used with other members in their herd and with their favorite human being!
Growls are a sign that they are unhappy and a warning sign. Often it is accompanied with chattering of teeth. If you hear this, check to see what or who is around your guinea pig as something is upsetting them. Best to be careful handling at this point as a fight could break out. If it is necessary to separate them, put a cloth or towel over them to block their vision, causing mild confusion and remove and house in a separate location.
Grunting is used in the mating/courtship process and sometimes accompany with purring by the male.
Speaking using very low volume is sometimes used by babies (pups) to seek their mothers attention. Sometimes they will use a very high pitched squeaking to try to obtain the attention of their mother. Or can be used to by a grown piggie to signal to the mother to pay attention to the pups.
High pitch soft cry is a guinea pig that is sad and requesting companionship or attention.
Guinea pigs don’t always makes sounds, sometimes they are content and don’t have a need to express their opinion or feelings at that time.
You will find as you become more familiar with your pets, that they are very expressive characters with a wide arrange of communication through guinea pig sounds.
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Guinea pig supplies to avoid
Sometimes there are accessories that are available for guinea pigs that just are best to avoid for their health. Here is a list of accessories and supplies to avoid:
C&C cage grids that have less than 9 squares in either direction
There are many benefits of creating and making your pets cage and has become very popular. If you decided to make your pets cage out of C&C cages (common name for organization cubes) consider each opening in the grid and it should measure one and a half (1.5) inches or smaller. If there are fewer openings (making the grid measurement wider) will allow your pet to stick their head part way through the grid holes leaving them stuck or strangulated.
Avoid Using bedding that is made of Pine or Cedar
Recently there has been growing evidence that these materials release volatile hydrocarbons which can cause serious respiratory and possibly liver problems. Pine can be safe if it is cured, which means “heat treated” as this will release the harmful agents. However, if you do choose to use pine bedding keep in mind that even though a bag is labeled as “cured” there is always the possibility that the material was not properly treated.
Exercise ball or wheels
- Both of these type of exercise devices requires their spine to bend and guinea pigs do not have a flexible spine.
- Usage in these devices can result in serious life limiting health injury to your pet.
Using a harness or leash
Sometimes leashes are used with the intention to provide safe play outdoors for your pet. Your pet can be seriously injured from struggling against the leash and best to avoid use of them all together. Consider constructing or placing a enclosed outdoor area for you pet to safely play in.
Salt Wheels and/or Mineral Licks
Guinea pigs can over consume minerals leading to bladder and kidney stones.
Packaged pet store treats
Avoid products that contain:
- sugar
- fats
- dairy
- seeds
- nuts
- meats
Seeds and nuts are known to cause choking and blockage in the intestinal region. Consumption of fats and sugars are full of empty calories which is not beneficial to your pet’s health. Guinea pigs do not eat meat or animal products.
Drops of Vitamin C
You will see vitamin C drops widely recommended as guinea pigs are not able to produce any on their own.
- Supplements rapidly degrade when exposed to light
- gives the water a taste many guinea pigs find unpleasant causing possible dehydration
- hard to control the volume your pet will or will not drink
Supplying your guinea pig with a source of Fresh fruits and green vegetables is an excellent way that your pet acquires and consumes enough Vitamin C.
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The Guinea Pig Way
It’s important to know the guinea pig way of behavior as it can help you understand their moods and if they aren’t feeling well. They are natural attention seekers, can get lonely quickly and give signs by making noise, hopping around or simply just trying to get your attention.
When to know it’s Aggression
- When you hear teeth chattering, that is a sign of an angry guinea pig and a good hint to stay away and give them space. As they rarely bite, beware you might get a nip!
- If there are more than one piggy in the cage, this may be a sign that a fight may break out. This is often the way when two male guineas or two female guinea pigs first meet, and is their way of sorting out the family hierarchy.
- They will sway their body from side to side and show their teeth and their fur puffs up around their neck making them look bigger.
- If you see this going on, it’s best to separate them, before a fight breaks out. Be careful, make use of a towel to place over them to block their vision and separate them into another cage.
Chewing or Barbering another piggies hair
- When a guinea pig chews on a cage mates fur it is referred to a barbering.
- Sometimes it can be interpreted as dominance or the other though is showing kindness.
- The cavy that is receiving the barbering may sit calmly and enjoy or headbutt to notion for it to stop.
Begging for food by whistling or standing up
- Guinea pigs love treats that are tasty and aren’t shy to speak up and beg for them.
- A confident piggy will start to whistle and even stand up on their hind legs if they suspect a deliciousness treat has potential of coming their way.
- They create all this fuss, in hopes that you will see and hear their excitement and bring the treat on!
Reasons why your Cavy may bite
- Rarely do they bite their owners, some may bite by accident if you are feeding them. As they are excited they sometimes forget a finger might not be food! It’s a good idea to wash your hands if you have been handling food if you are going to handle your pet.
- When you are handling your pet properly as they tend to get worried that you will drop them and give you a little nip to remind you to be careful!
- If you cavy has been handled for awhile, and they nip at your clothes, they could be trying to tell you I have to go to the bathroom!
- Some may fidget, fuss and moan is their way of requesting to be put back in their cage.
- Sometimes they acquire mites . which is very painful and they will nip at them for relief . If you happen to be holding them and your hand is in the way of a mite, you might get nipped by accident.
Gnawing and chewing the cage bars
- Sometimes an indication they want food or think a food is on the way to them
- Can be an indication that they are bored or lonely
- Can also be a indication that their cage is too small and confined for them causing a lack of exercise and leaving them stressed. They require ample room to move about, exercise and play.
- They are natural herd animals and if you are confident in their care, consider getting another one, to keep each other company
Eating their own feces
- It may seem strange to us, however it’s not strange behavior for your pet and please try not to discourage them from doing so.
- This is their way of re-digesting what their system didn’t ingest the first time around. It may not seem normal to us, however to your guinea pig, it is quite normal and try not discourage this behavior.
Curled up in a corner
- This can indicate that your pet isn’t feeling well or an illness and can also appear like depression.
- If you offer them their favorite treat and stll get no or little response, best to call your veterinarian right away. They can become ill quickly and best to attend to their health right away.
Frozen on the spot
- In the wild they are prey animals and it’s instinctive for them to be on the lookout.
- If they hear a sudden loud sound or the potential of a threat, they often stand still. In herd behavior this is a way of letting the other members know as there is a small vibration of sound signaled with fear that the other member can hear and pick up on.
A Guinea pig licking
- Some guinea pigs like to lick you when you are holding them.
- Perhaps it is because they are tasting and enjoying salty skin.
- Some believe that it is another way of expressing affection.
Having a good Sniff
- Part of their natural behavior used to recognize one another, hierarchy relationship establishing and determining if in heat.
The nose nudges
- Can be a way of saying hello to each other. When they are eating, the dominant guinea pig will nudge another away to provide access to claim their share.
- If one pig is being too greedy and hogging up the food, place another dish of food out at the same time.
- Sometimes when you are holding them, they will nudge you to signal to stop stroking them. Best to respect their wishes and try stroking in another location, like the head or chin or neck.
Jumping
- If you see your guinea pig jump into the air, also called pop-corning, this is a good sign as they are delighted and happy.
- Pups tend to do it more so, as they are lighter in their own body weight, however full grown adults can do it too!
Running and Hiding
- By nature guinea pigs are shy and timid and it’s normal for them to run and hide away as a form of protecting themselves.
- It may take some time for your pet to get to know and become comfortable with you, so be patient.
- Not all guinea pigs are fond of being picked up and this may also be why they are running away as them fear that is might happen.
Scent Marking their territory
- It common for a lot of animals to mark their territory with their scent.
- They also use the scent for location and in the wild, would have scented pathways to safety.
- Often if bedding has been changed, they will scent the area to make is familiar territory to them.
Sleeping, more like napping
- Being a prey animal in the wild, guinea pigs do not sleep for long lengths of time, as they need to be alert to danger. Unless they are extremely relaxed, you might see them lay on the ground with their legs stretched out.
- Not until later in life, that they will sleep more than younger ones.
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Guinea Pig Bedding
Suggested bedding materials:
* Aspen, however be aware as it has no odor protection
* Care Fresh, is made from wood pulp and provides odor control
* Crown Pellet Bedding is a base of recycled newspaper compressed into pellets and controls odors but use only as a layer underneath as it is very rough and your pet will appreciate something softer.
* Corn Cob Bedding is soft enough to use as sole bedding but requires regular monitoring for mold growth.
* Timothy Hay is soft, sweet smelling, and is a food source for your guinea pig. Check out a local farm supply store or garden center for availability.
Materials to avoid using with your guinea pig:
- Pine shavings as this is a POISONOUS health hazard for guinea pigs.
- Cedar shavings are known to cause respiratory problems and should be avoided for all small pets.
- Straw has no absorbency for odor, is rough textured and can injure your pet
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Guinea Pig Pictures
Want to see more cute guinea pigs, check out this video!
Guinea Pigs can be entertaining to watch and make for some very cute pictures! Remember Guinea pigs are pets and require proper care and attention. Please be a responsible guinea pig pet owner!
Learn more about Guinea pig care
Learn more about baby guinea pigs and their care here.
Want to see more guinea pig picture Check it out here.
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Baby Guinea Pigs Care
Baby Guinea Pigs Care
When you consider the small size of pups examine the cage they are housed in. A Special Cage or cage modification that is escape proof and safe for the pups might be required. Should a baby escape, they become highly at risk of danger, injury or death. Prevention from babies getting their head stuck or strangulated between the bars of a cage, by lining the interior walls of their cage. From the floor level up to approximately one foot, place either chloroplast or cardboard all around the interior of the cage wall.
If you use a C&C cage, make sure that the grid is no smaller than 9 going in either direction. If the grid hole is too wide, the baby can get their head stuck, or it can become fatal and they die from strangulation.
If you are using a grid cage, consider doubling the walls and in between place the cardboard or chloroplast. When the pups are four to six months of age, then this extra layer can be removed when the guinea pigs have grown large enough that there is little chance they can become stuck.
At birth care
Once mom has given birth and cleaned the pups and had an opportunity to bond, then it’s a good idea to start weighing the pups. It’s good to be in the habit of weighing your guinea pig regularly and to keep track and monitor differences. Differences in weight can be a warning sign of health problems. By also tracking the pups weight, you can observe your pups health and growth. If they are having difficulties, and not growing at the same rate as the other pups, you will be able to take action and intervention. Sometimes pups are lacking the required amount of their mother’s milk. You can intervene and provide opportunity for that pup, to be alone with it’s mother.
If weight continues to fluctuate, for either the pups or mother, then best to contact your Veterinarian right away.
Food requirement considerations for pups
Alfalfa based pellets are good for puppies growing needs and also for the mother during her pregnancy. When purchasing, make sure there is adequate levels of vitamin C as they cannot produce it on their own. Remember they are plant based eaters and avoid products that contain animal products, fats and sugars and nuts and seeds.
When is the time to separate Mom from the babies
When they are four weeks old, it is okay for them to be separated from their mom.
Being a responsible pet owner
Although baby guinea pigs are adorable, they require work, food, shelter and a responsible owner.
Please consider your pets needs and be a responsible pet owner!
