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Whether you are planning on breeding your guinea pig or experiencing an unplanned guinea pig pregnancy, you will undoubtedly want to know how many babies you can expect in a litter. A guinea pig sow can give birth to 1 to 6 pups per litter, but most litters consist of 2 to 4 pups. First-time mothers usually have smaller litters.
Guinea Pig Reproduction and Gestation
Guinea pigs have a 4 to 8-year lifespan and reach sexual maturity at an early age. Females typically reach full sexual maturity at approximately 4 to 6 weeks of age. Males take a little longer and generally are sexually mature when they’re 8 or 9 weeks old.
The gestation period of a sow ranges from 59 to 72 days, with an average of 65 days. So, your guinea pig will be pregnant between 9 and 10 weeks.
How to Tell If a Sow is Pregnant
Determining whether or not the sow is pregnant is very important, as she will need a proper diet and should be monitored for potential complications. Having your veterinarian available to confirm pregnancy, guide you through the care, and assist as needed during the process is critical to a happy and healthy pregnancy.
Once she is about 2-3 weeks into the pregnancy, you can gently palpate the sow’s abdomen and feel the growing pups. Guinea pigs are known for becoming exceedingly large during pregnancy and can even double their weight.
Pregnant sows should be separated from others, especially male guinea pigs. The hormones from pregnancy can alter her behavior, so it is best to keep her safe and comfortable away from her cage mates.
Female guinea pigs can go back into heat as soon as 15 hours after giving birth. Males should be kept away from her to prevent a repeated pregnancy from occurring immediately following birth.
Birthing Process
Guinea pigs do not display nesting behavior before giving birth like most other animals. However, they exhibit some telltale signs that the delivery is near. The pregnant sow may become much less active a few days or up to a week before giving birth. If you notice lethargy toward the end of the gestation period, the labor will likely begin within a few days.
Guinea pigs can give birth at any time but typically in the daytime. In a healthy pregnancy, the entire birthing process typically takes about 30 minutes once labor begins.
Intervention is not recommended, but if the labor is prolonged and the mother is not successfully delivering all pups, you may need immediate assistance from a veterinarian.
Potential Birthing Complications
While some healthy guinea pigs can give birth naturally and unassisted, these little rodents are notorious for having birthing difficulties. It is highly recommended that a veterinarian be available throughout the pregnancy and birth process.
Veterinary intervention may be necessary in some cases. Some females may require birthing assistance, medication, and even a cesarean section in more extreme cases.
- Toxemia/Ketosis – Pregnancy toxemia, also referred to as pregnancy ketosis, occurs when the blood sugar is significantly low because the body is producing excessive amounts of ketones. In pregnant females, this typically occurs in the last 2 to 3 weeks of pregnancy or the first week after delivery. Pregnancy ketosis generally occurs in females experiencing their first or second litters, but ketosis can also happen in obese guinea pigs regardless of their gender. Ketosis can occur for several reasons, including a loss of appetite in the late stages of pregnancy, underdeveloped uterine blood vessels, insufficient exercise, obesity, and a large litter size. This condition is typically fatal, and veterinary treatment with medication and steroids is very rarely successful.
- Dystocia – Another common reproductive condition in female guinea pigs is dystocia. It typically occurs when the birth is slowed or made difficult due to symphysis, where the pubic bones cannot spread efficiently for the delivery of the pups. This is typically seen in first-time mothers or females who were bred later when they were over 7 months old. It is recommended that any female guinea pig used for breeding be bred before turning 7 months old to prevent symphysis and avoid this complication. Dystocia can also occur if a pup is too large to fit through the birth canal or if the uterus and cervix fail to contract and expand normally. If the labor is prolonged and not progressing normally, contact a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. A cesarean section may be needed to deliver the litter successfully.
How Many Pups Typically Survive in Each Litter?
Stillbirths are not uncommon for guinea pigs and can happen for a variety of reasons. However, it is impossible to know for sure how many pups will be delivered or how many will survive in each litter.
Can the Father of the Litter Have Access to the Pups?
Males should be kept away from pregnant sows, especially after they have just given birth. Since females can go into heat and become pregnant in as little as 15 hours after delivery, no male should be available to impregnate her.
Females need recovery time after giving birth, and back-to-back pregnancies can be riskier for their health. Not only do you want to avoid a repeated pregnancy, but males may also cause stress to the female and injure her or the pups, as he will be trying to mate again.
Do Guinea Pigs Kill Their Babies?
It’s not uncommon for some rodent species to kill their offspring. Although it is very uncommon with guinea pigs, they occasionally kill or eat their babies. It usually occurs when the female is malnourished or has given birth to back-to-back litters.
Caring for a New Litter
After delivery, the mother will eat the placenta, chew off the umbilical cords, and begin caring for her pups. It’s best to allow her to care for her pups and wait at least a week before touching the newborns.
Once the pups are old enough to handle, do so gently, as they are very fragile in the beginning. Limit your time handling them and ensure the mother doesn’t get upset since she will be protective of her young.
The pups will nurse and be under the care of their mother until 2 to 3 weeks of age, even though they have begun eating solid foods. Males should be separated from their mothers and female siblings no later than 3 weeks, and females can remain with their mothers for up to 4 weeks.
Conclusion
On average, female guinea pigs will give birth to 2 to 4 pups per litter. The litter sizes can vary from 1 to 6 pups, and as with any animal, stillbirths can occur. It is vital to provide your pregnant sow with a healthy diet and a comfortable, stress-free environment. It is best to have your guinea pig under the care of a veterinarian during this process for guidance through the pregnancy and if any complications occur.
Featured Image Credit: Myagi, Pixabay
