Visit your local pet store if you need to purchase a larger cage.
Vitamin C is important to prevent a pregnancy complication called pregnancy toxemia.
Vitamin C is important to prevent a pregnancy complication called pregnancy toxemia.
Timothy hay is also a good choice for female guinea pigs, but is lower in calcium than alfalfa hay. [6] X Research source Alfalfa hay should not replace her regular food — it should be provided in a limited amount as a supplement.
Wood shavings are a good bedding option, but you must make sure the shavings are free of aromatic oils — these oils can cause severe respiratory illness in guinea pigs. Also, the shavings should not be made of sawdust or cedar. HySorb wood shavings are one of the best types of wood shavings available, but they are expensive. Newspaper is a less expensive option, but is not absorbent and does not absorb odor. If you choose to use newspaper, you should use it in conjunction with a more absorbent bedding that is better at controlling odors. Other bedding options include cotton cloth, cotton fleece, and towels. Each option is very absorbent, but may need to changed and cleaned on a daily basis. [8] X Research source
It is okay for you to handle the pups during the nursing period. Their mother will not reject them if they are handled by humans. [10] X Research source During the nursing period, the mother guinea pig will clean her pups’ bottoms to stimulate their urination and defecation. [11] X Research source
Adult female guinea pigs are typically not very protective of their young. [13] X Research source Rather than stepping in to raise the pups on your own, allow the mother to nurse her pups, even if it seems like she doesn’t care for them very much.
She may also experience circulatory problems because of the extra weight she’s carrying before birth. [15] X Research source If her blood is not circulating properly, she may seem overly exhausted and thus unable to care for her pups. Take the mother guinea pig to your veterinarian right away if she is experiencing complications after birth. She may need intensive veterinary care.
Check the milk as well. Off-colored or clumped milk are often associated with mastitis. [17] X Research source Mastitis is a bacterial infection. [18] X Research source If left untreated, it can spread through the mother’s guinea pigs bloodstream. Take her to your veterinarian immediately for treatment (e. g. antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications). [19] X Research source
Since guinea pigs don’t take long to reach sexual maturity,[21] X Research source you will also have to keep the male pups away from her as well. Immediately after nursing, you will need to move the male pups to their own cage to prevent them from trying to impregnate their own mother. [22] X Research source
You may have to go through a trial and error period to determine the ideal water bottle positions for the mother and her pups.
The pups may be a bit squirmy the first time you pick them up. It isn’t used to being held, and may miss mommy. Gently lower the pup back into the cage when it starts to squirm. Early and frequent handling will help socialize the pups and get them comfortable with the human touch. Handle the pups only when they are awake and not nursing.
It is common for pups to lose a little weight in the first few days after birth, then start gaining weight.
The fact that your guinea pig pups are white does not automatically mean they will develop the syndrome. In general, guinea pigs are hardy,[25] X Research source so the pups will probably be just fine after birth.
If you are uncomfortable with doing this, take the pups to your veterinarian for the sex determination.
Although tempting, it is not a good idea to offer the pups as ‘free to a good home. ’ This can actually devalue them, and cause them to be seen as unimportant and disposable to the prospective owner. Do not give the pups to a pet store. It is likely that the pet store does not screen potential buyers, so someone who does not know how to care for them, and may care for them improperly, could purchase the pups. In addition, the pups could be used as food for the reptiles. [28] X Research source If you are unable to rehome the pups on your own, consider contacting a reputable guinea pig rescue organization in your area. Your veterinarian or local pet store may be able to recommend who to contact.
