Never breed guinea pigs for fun. Breeding guinea pigs is risky and can harm or kill your beloved pet. [2] X Research source Guinea pig sows have a high mortality rate associated with pregnancy ketosis, which is a metabolic problem where the sow slowly poisons herself and dies of blood poisoning. The piglets are also large, which can cause problems when giving birth (but toxaemia is the main cause of death). [3] X Research source If you are considering breeding your sow, stick to the breeding age suggestions to help minimize the risk of complications. [4] X Research source If you sow needs a caesarian section because of birth complications, the survival rate is very low. [5] X Research source Unless you have designated homes for pups or animals you don’t want to keep after breeding, don’t breed them. Many people who say they’ll take pups conveniently disappear once they’re born. [6] X Research source
You will need enough cage space to house all of the animals. Keep in mind that you will also have to separate males and females to keep them from breeding. [8] X Research source The cage space will require proper bedding and hay, so consider purchasing extra and keeping a reserve for when you clean the guinea pigs’ area. [9] X Research source Also consider purchasing more accessories such as toys or hiding holes for your guinea pigs to enjoy. Make sure you have enough food pellets and water bottles to help keep you guinea pigs healthy. [10] X Research source Allot enough time to properly clean the guinea pig cages on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to help keep your pigs healthy. [11] X Research source
The breeding plan “best to the best” is often employed by professionals when considering mates. This means that only outstanding sows, or female guinea pigs, are bred with outstanding boars, or male guinea pigs. [13] X Research source Where possible, check the parentage of both guinea pigs. There are several hereditary diseases that could affect the guinea pigs and their pups or cause a so-called “lethal,” or a pup with severe deformities. [14] X Research source Ensure that the boar and sow are an appropriate age to breed. [15] X Research source If you are unsure of the sex of your guinea pig, you can check directly above the anus while gently holding the guinea pig on its back. A male will have what appears to be a slit or visible testes. A female will have a skin fold that is in a Y shape above the anus. [16] X Research source
A good boar will have a broad head and a bold eye. [18] X Research source The average age for most boars to mate for the first time is 5 months. [19] X Research source Guinea pigs are thought to reach sexual maturity at 10 weeks however most reach sexual maturity as young as 4 weeks. Therefore to prevent inbreeding males should be removed from the females at 3 weeks. . [20] X Research source
The sow should have good head shape, a bold eye, and a good muzzle. [22] X Research source Guinea pigs are thought to reach sexual maturity at 10 weeks however most reach sexual maturity as young as 4 weeks. Therefore to prevent inbreeding males should be removed from the females at 3 weeks. [23] X Research source A sow may be mated at anywhere from 4-7 months for the first time. [24] X Research source It is important that the sow is under 7 months for a first pregnancy to prevent the conditions symphysis and dystocia[25] X Research source . Consider selecting a sow that has had time to rest in between litters to help ensure the quality of subsequent litters. [26] X Research source
If you regularly treat your guinea pigs for mites, this should be done at least 2 weeks before you breed them to prevent the Ivermectin having any effect on the pups. [27] X Research source
You can quarantine new guinea pigs simply by keeping their cages in separate rooms. Also make sure to wash your hands whenever you touch animals and their feed or bedding. [29] X Research source Do not allow the guinea pigs to interact during the quarantine. [30] X Research source If you are breeding guinea pigs you own, there is no need for quarantine. [31] X Research source
Keep the pair in the sow’s normal cage to reduce stress to her and help increase the chance of pregnancy. If she is not ready to breed, she may reject the male by spraying him or showing her teeth. [32] X Research source reeding-babies/ Never allow more than one boar contact with the sow as this can lead to serious fights between the males. [33] X Research source If you own multiple sows that usually live together, remove the sows you are not breeding to a different cage to prevent unnecessary stress. Maintain the companionship between sows by allowing them ‘floor time’ together while keeping the breeding pair together the majority of the time.
The pair may try to mate throughout this period, but the sow can only get pregnant during a small 24 – 48 hour window per cycle. [34] X Research source . Check the breeding couple often enough to help ensure their health and happiness and reassure the guinea pigs that you are caring for them.
A pregnant female may exhibits several symptoms of pregnancy including distended abdomen and increased food and water consumption. [35] X Research source A sow may eat 2-3 times her normal amount when pregnant. [36] X Research source A vet may also determine an estimated delivery date. It may take several heat cycles for the sow to become pregnant. Be patient so that you do not stress your guinea pigs.
Do not make any changes to the sow’s cage and reduce exposure to anything that may cause stress, such as loud noises. [38] X Research source Handle the sow minimally during the pregnancy and not at all during the last two weeks. You can coax her on to a towel or box for the delivery. [39] X Research source You can leave the boar in the cage with the sow to comfort her. [40] X Research source It’s advisable to remove other guinea pigs from the sow’s space and allow her to litter alone. [41] X Research source
Increase the amount of fresh vegetables on offer to 1½ to 2 cups per day.
The signs of illness may include crusty eyes, nose, or ears; and a thinning or patchy coat. [42] X Research source The sow should gradually put on weight, though how much depends on the individual and size of the litter. Check she is eating. An early warning sign of pregnancy toxaemia is lack of appetite. Any pregnant sow that doesn’t eat for more than 12 hours should see a veterinarian. If you notice any problems with your guinea pig, including lack of movement of her unborn pups, consult a vet.
Guinea pigs don’t show any outward signs of impending birth and don’t make any specific preparations for labor so it may be hard to tell exactly when the sow will give birth. [43] X Research source You may notice a slight widening of the pelvic bones in the sow right before she gives birth. [44] X Research source Stock up on a syringe, which you may need to clean out a newborn pups mouth. [45] X Research source It is a good idea to alert a vet when the sow reaches nine weeks so they are aware that they may need to intervene and can be on hand to attend to the sow immediately if a complication does arise.
Do not crowd the female while she is laboring. Have only one person with her to oversee the birth and do not touch her. [47] X Research source A sow should give birth every 5-10 minutes. [48] X Research source A sow will usually have between 1-5 pups. [49] X Research source The sow will give birth by sitting up and hunching over or by squatting. [50] X Research source Get your guinea pig to a doctor if the labor becomes complicated. For example, if it takes longer than one hour, there more than 15 minutes between pups, if she exhibits excessive bleeding, or making extreme stress calls. [51] X Research source
The mother or other cage mates will eat the placenta and membranes. [53] X Research source
Newborn pups should have hair, wide open eyes, a full set of teeth and be able to run around like other guinea pigs. [56] X Research source The pups do not require a heat lamp or heating pad as long as the room is warm. They should be kept at the same comfortable temperature as the parents. [57] X Research source The mother may reject one of the pups, often the runt of the litter. There may be nothing wrong with this pup however, so hand-feed and continue to place with the mother. Try some one-on-one between the pup and mother. [58] X Research source
It is encouraged to handle the pups to help socialize them. [59] X Research source
The sow may begin to wean her pups at 14-21 days of age. [61] X Research source However piglets can eat solid food from as soon as five days (because they are born so well developed) so if the mother rejects a piglet, make sure solid food is available and he may well start to eat for himself. [62] X Research source
The pups’ size will vary though should be around 2½ to 3½ oz and be 3–4 inches (7. 6–10 cm). [63] X Research source For the first 2 days the pups’ weight may fall but on the third day it should start to pick up again. A smaller pup may benefit from 15minutes of one-on-one time with its mother once or twice a day. [64] X Research source
