If you keep male and female guinea pigs together, there's a good chance that you could end up with a pregnant guinea pig. To avoid this, you should keep females with other females or neutered males only. However, if you want to breed your guinea pig or you think you've accidentally ended up with a pregnant guinea pig, it's important to know how to care for her. The first thing you will need to do is confirm that your guinea pig is indeed pregnant. Once you've done that, you can take the next steps to care for your guinea pigs and the babies that might be on their way.
How to Tell If a Guinea Pig Is Pregnant
Being able to spot the signs of a guinea pig pregnancy will help you to decide if your guinea pig might be pregnant. You might begin to suspect that your guinea pig is pregnant if she starts to get a little rounder. Of course, this could just mean that she's putting on weight, so how can you tell if it's pregnancy? Firstly, consider whether your guinea pig has been in contact with an unneutered male. If not, pregnancy is pretty unlikely. However, keep in mind that if you have just adopted or bought your guinea pig, you might not know whether she has been near any males.
A pregnant guinea pig might be eating more and should put on some weight, so watch what your guinea pig is eating and weigh her regularly too. You might also be able to feel if there are any babies by gently feeling her stomach. The best way to tell if your guinea pig is pregnant is to make an appointment with your vet. They may be able to feel your Guinea Pig’s abdomen or perform an X-ray to find out if your guinea pig is pregnant or if there could be any health problems.
How Long Is a Guinea Pig Pregnant For?
Guinea pig pregnancies last for around 59-72 days, with an average of 65 days. Interestingly, the smaller the litter is, the longer the pregnancy will be. It's important to know how many babies there are so that when the female guinea pig gives birth, you can be sure that they have all been born.
How Many Babies Can a Guinea Pig Have?
Guinea pigs can have as few as one pup or up to around six or eight, although more have been recorded. They have an average of three babies in one pregnancy, and they are all born with fur and able to move around.
Caring for Your Guinea Pig During Pregnancy
During your guinea pig's pregnancy, it's important to provide her with the right care. Make sure that you are giving your guinea pig a balanced diet, which includes grass/hay, green leafy vegetables, a small amount of food rich in vitamin C, and a small amount of quality pellet. Speak to your vet about your guinea pig's pregnancy and birth, as difficulty giving birth is relatively common for guinea pigs.
If you think that your guinea pig could be pregnant, make an appointment to consult with your vet and get the right advice.