What do baby guinea pigs need to survive?

What do baby guinea pigs need to survive?

Additionally, young, pregnant, or nursing Guinea Pigs need unlimited pellet food throughout the day. Alfalfa hay is especially high in calcium. Alfalfa-based pellets are also available. Fresh fruits and vegetables (bell peppers, oranges) are high in vitamin C and are nutritious foods that you can feed your pups.

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.

What do newborn guinea pigs eat?

Your baby guinea pigs will start to nibble solid food from only a few days old. You can start introducing them to timothy and oaten hay, pellets, as well as small amounts of green vegetables and water in a shallow dish from when they are born, but this does not mean they are ready to be weaned.

Do baby guinea pigs need their mom?

Weaning Time When guinea pig babies are born, they require feedings courtesy of Mom’s milk. It’s important for guinea pig mothers to nurse their youngsters until they’re a minimum of 2 weeks old. Do not separate the pups from their mothers until they’re fully weaned.

Can newborn guinea pigs survive without their mother?

Yes, baby guinea pigs can survive without their mother. However, you are the pup’s only chance at survival if they are rejected by their mother. Guinea pigs reach maturity very quickly. They can be weaned off their mother’s milk and eat a typical, balanced diet.

Do baby guinea pigs drink water?

If you are just planning to become a proud owner of a cute guinea pig, you should know that guinea pigs drink water only, unless they are just babies that still need their mother’s milk. Drinking water comes naturally to all living creatures and so is to your guinea pig.

How old can a baby guinea pig leave its mother?

At six weeks old baby guineas pigs are fully weaned, and have stopped nursing from their mother. They’ve learned all the skills they need for independence, and they’re ready to leave the nest. Six or seven weeks old is the age at which most breeders will let their pups go to their new homes.

Do guinea pigs miss their babies?

In most cases, guinea pigs won’t miss you if you decide to leave them in the home instead of taking them with you for camping. A mother guinea pig needs to clean the babies and eat the afterbirth to chemically generate the mammary glands to start producing milk. Sometimes adults will do this with each other too.

Can you bring a baby guinea pig back to life?

“Most rejected baby guinea pigs do not survive and owners are often encouraged to put them down,” says Judith Allen of Ontario, Canada. “It was hard work, but [saving them] can be done, and I would give up four weeks of my life to do it all over again if necessary.”

What kind of milk do you feed a baby guinea pig?

Baby guinea pigs can easily inhale the liquid in the syringe by accident and choke. Use full-fat goat’s milk, or prepare a milk mixture of half water and half evaporated milk. Soak brown bread in the milk, and offer this to the baby GP on a teaspoon – they’ll suck the milk out.

Can I give my guinea pig a bath?

Guinea pigs are known to be an extremely clean creatures who groom themselves very often. Therefore, you rarely need to give them a bath. Please do not bathe your guinea pig unless it is necessary. Unnecessary baths will result in dry fur coats and skin.

What should baby guinea pigs drink out of?

Change your guinea pigs’ bedding and make sure that they have enough timothy hay, and enough fresh water to drink. Overall, water bowls require more cleaning, but a steady and firm ceramic bowl is the best option as your pets cannot spill the content.