Why is my guinea pig eating her babies?

However, guinea pigs eating babies is uncommon behavior. Guinea pigs eat their babies mostly by accident. When the mother guinea pig eats the babies, she does so because she is excessively hungry. On the other hand, male guinea pigs eat guinea pig babies when they recognize that the babies are not theirs.

Do Guineas eat their babies?

Guinea pigs in captivity and in the wild eat their own babies if there is a shortage of food. Guinea pigs need to eat much more food than many people realize. If a mother Guinea pig is fed enough, and the right diet, to eat whilst pregnant, she is less likely to eat her babies.

How long can a baby guinea pig go without milk?

Although piggies will begin eating solid guinea pig food almost right away, nursing is still important for mom’s antibodies. Guinea pigs will nurse for 2-3 weeks. Orphan pups aren’t doomed, though, and can still thrive.

Do guinea pigs hurt their babies?

As a whole, guinea pigs do not eat their offspring, but it can happen. It’s often the result of starvation, stress, inexperience, or trauma. Sometimes it happens accidentally. Also, male guinea pig may kill the babies if he doesn’t recognize them as his own offspring.

Do Dad guinea pigs eat their babies?

It’s highly uncommon for guinea pig fathers to eat their newborn babies. While it’s important to keep male guinea pigs away from new mothers, cannibalization of their offspring isn’t a big source of concern.

Why do guinea pigs reject their babies?

Handling them too much too soon can disrupt the bond they need with their mother in order to nurse from her, and huddle against her for warmth. At worst, it can cause her to reject them. When you do approach the a baby guinea pig, be careful to move slowly and gently.

Do guinea pigs reject their babies?

Baby guinea pigs are sometimes rejected by their moms Let them take as much of the milk as they want at each feeding time. If the baby has been completely rejected (rather than just having a mom who refuses to let it suckle), it can quickly become cold, away from its mother’s fur.

Can I touch newborn guinea pigs?

Guinea pigs enjoy being handled – but not in all circumstances. If you have a pregnant guinea pig, it’s best not to handle them unnecessarily during the month before they give birth. Baby guinea pigs should not be held at all for at least one week after birth, and must always be handled very gently.

Do guinea pigs reject babies?

The mother guinea pig will not reject them because you are handling them. Just like the human baby being passed around after birth, they have been listening to your voices, movies, music for however many months they have been in your home in their mother’s womb.

Can guinea pig dad be with babies?

Male guinea pigs should be separated from their pups, at least for most of the time, simply because the little ones have to be with their mothers. Newborn guinea pigs can meet their fathers, but only if their mothers aren’t around. Don’t allow female pups to encounter their dads once they’re 21 days old, however.

Why do male guinea pigs eat their babies?

A male guinea pig might eat his babies because he is territorial and feels threatened. It is very rare for a female guinea pig to eat a pup and even more unlikely that a male will consume a baby guinea pig. Guinea pigs are docile by nature as they are prey animals.

Will the male guinea pig hurt the babies?

Some species of male rodents are well known to kill and even eat their own newborn pups. Male guinea pigs may not be as aggressive and dangerous as other rodent species are to their young because guinea pig babies are born in a more precocial (advanced) stage than most other rodents.