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How long after guinea pigs give birth can they get pregnant?
The period during which the female is receptive to the male and will allow breeding lasts about 8 hours. Female guinea pigs can come back into heat 15 hours after giving birth. This is called a “postpartum estrus,” which means that they can be nursing a litter and pregnant at the same time!
How do I know when my guinea pig is ready to give birth?
If you touch her underbelly a couple of centimeters ahead of the anus, you will be able to feel that the pelvic bones have spread apart. Once they are one to two finger-widths apart, it won’t be long until birth. You should also provide the sow with a stress-free environment.
Can you touch baby guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs enjoy being handled – but not in all circumstances. If you have a pregnant guinea pig, it’s best not to handle them unnecessarily during the month before they give birth. Baby guinea pigs should not be held at all for at least one week after birth, and must always be handled very gently.
How often does a female guinea pig give birth?
A female can give birth to up to 5 litters per year. When a guinea pig is about to give birth, any male guinea pigs near her will gather around and try to become the dominant male in order to both protect the female and mate with her.
Why did my guinea pig not have a baby?
These can impact both the sow and her babies. Female guinea pigs can struggle to give birth if their first mating is after their first birthday. This is due to their pelvic bones fusing in position, and struggling to allow the fully formed baby to pass through and out into the world.
When to separate a guinea pig from its mother?
Newborn guinea pig pups need their mother’s milk for initial feeding. You must leave the pups with their mother for nursing for a minimum period of two weeks. We recommend that you wean the pups from their mother after three weeks as this is the optimum time. Never separate a pup from their mother until fully weaned.
When to wean new born guinea pig pups?
Newborn guinea pig pups need their mother’s milk for initial feeding. You must leave the pups with their mother for nursing for a minimum period of two weeks. We recommend that you wean the pups from their mother after three weeks as this is the optimum time.