how to tell if my guinea pig is pregnant

Question
I recently purchased a baby girl guinea pig.  She is young, not sure how old but when I purchased her she would fit in the palm of one of your hand.  She has grown now I have had her for a few weeks now.  My question is if she is getting nipples is she pregnant?  I hope not they told me at the pet store if she was she was too small to have babies.  Do all female guinea pigs get them.  She is alone in the cage now but of course at the pet store the cage was packed.

Answer
Julie

Thank you for your question!

When guinea pigs are pregnant their nipples don't start to enlarge until the last few days and labour, so you shouldn't have to worry about her being pregnant. It would have been careless for the petstore to keep males and females together as well. I will provide for you a list of the weekly signs of pregnancy.

Week 1 No signs
Week 2 Sow may start drinking more

Week 3 Sow will start gaining weight, there will be a tightening of the abdomen muscles.

Week 4 An experienced breeder will be able to feel small foetuses

Week 5 Sow usually looks noticeably pregnant, taking on a rather rounded appearance. You will be able to feel the outlines of the foetuses.

Week 7 You will be able to feel 'quickening' this is when the babies kick

Week 9 It may become difficult for the sow to move around but she should still be active and eat and drink as normal.
The pelvic bones will separate sometime during this week

Week 10 The babies will be born


Best of luck with your guinea pig!

Amy