Pregnent Guinea Pig

Question
Hello

This is my guinea pigs first time having babies and I would like to ask a few questions.
I have had rabbits given birth tons of times do I do the same and seperate the male from the cage?
Is there a certain diet she needs to have?
If I can see her babies move does that mean she will be having them soon?


That's all :) Ayeisha

Answer
Unlike rabbits guinea pig dads are great fathers. They'll allow the babies to crawl all over them and will cuddle and clean them.  The problem is that the mom comes into heat within a few short hours after delivery and dad will breed her back again. So for that reason it's best to pull dad out before the babies are born.

The general rule of thumb is when you feel the movement the sow is about two weeks from delivery. There is no special diet she needs to be on, just her regular pellets and a constant supply of fresh water.

Now you're in for a treat. Baby guinea pigs are born with a full coat of hair, eyes open and ready to run. The gestation for rabbits is 30 days. For guinea pigs it's 70 days, so the babies are very precocious and well developed at birth.

They usually deliver in the early morning hours, but nothing is absolute. She will know what to do so you don't need to offer any help. The sow will not mind you holding the newborns. She will not try to kill the babies like a mother rabbit would.

Take lots of pictures. They grow very fast. The babies will begin trying to eat from mom's food bowl at about one week. Same with trying out the water bottle. If you can, put an extra bottle down close where the babies can reach it.

They're pure fun and delight, so as a new first time 'grandma' you're in for a real treat.
Send pictures as soon as you can!