How to Tell if a Guinea Pig is Pregnant
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Guinea pigs are one of the most common domesticated pets all around the world. Both affectionate and social, these cute furry balls have a good nature for keeping as pets. And most of all, guinea pigs are great pets for children because of their docile nature and less chance of nipping hands over unexpected things.
In addition to being kid-friendly, guinea pigs are popular for being a herd animal. That means, they are better when there are other guinea pigs around them. When this happens, the owner wouldn’t often know if the sow is enceinte or not. Is the hamster enceinte, or is it a sign of other guinea pig health problems? You can check if your sow is enceinte with the signs below.
Tell-tale signs that your guinea pig is enceinte
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The big question: did your sow interacted with a boar?
A female guinea pig or sow will only get enceinte if it interacted with a male guinea pig or boar during its estrous cycle. Signs that a sow is in the heat include: humping other guinea pigs, enflamed genitals, and elevating the rear end when touched. If your sow is at least two months old, there’s a chance that it will get enceinte when putting into a cage with boars. Boars are sexually matured at an older age of 3 months. As for the question above, if the answer is yes, check on the other symptoms mentioned below.
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Change in eating habit
Sows would change their eating habits while enceinte to incorporate the needs of her body and the growing guinea pig pups. If you notice your sow is getting faster in emptying the food bowl and the water container, it might be enceinte. If your sow is enceinte, you should give it food that contains green leafy vegetables and grass. It is best if you change the menu gradually to avoid any damage in its gastrointestinal system.
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Weight changes
A enceinte sow would start ballooning when enceinte, especially during the last stages of pregnancy. The hard part here is determining if your pet is actually getting more weight because of pregnancy or because of growth, especially if the guinea pig is still young. If your sow increases its food intake dramatically, you might want to consider regular weight in. Record your sow’s weight and keep track of changes. Usually, by the end of pregnancy, the piglets would weigh more than the sow’s, which causes doubled bodyweight of the mother.
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Piglet bumps
Signs of piglets in a sow’s body can be felt after two to three months of pregnancy. You can test this by running your fingers gently to your guinea pig’s body. If you feel lumps in the sow’s body, there’s a big chance that it’s enceinte. Unfortunately, lumps in the guinea pig’s body can also mean the accumulation of metabolic products. The general rule is: if you found lumps in the guinea pig’s body, better visit a veterinarian.
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Visit a veterinarian
If still unsure, the best route to take is seeing the veterinarian right away. Your guinea pig might have conditions besides pregnancy. The vet would make a diagnosis using ultrasound to know more about the guinea pig’s condition. In addition, we also advised you with proper care based on your pet’s pregnancy condition.
What to do when your pet is enceinte?
To take care of your enceinte guinea pig, the first thing you need to do is to get the place more comfortable. Always clean the cage and pay attention to anything that can cause harm to the guinea pig. Don’t put away the exercise toys, as enceinte guinea pigs also require a good amount of exercise. This is to make sure that they won’t get overweight during pregnancy. Furthermore, one should avoid lifting the sow if possible.
The average pregnancy of a guinea pig is about 68 days. This can be less or more, depending on the litter size. During this time, one should avoid feeding food that can give more weight. Instead, feed your pet a diet rich in fiber and vitamin C supplements. Always give the pet fresh water every day. During the late pregnancy, add adequate calcium in the mix.
What are the signs of a enceinte guinea pig?
Do guinea pigs get enceinte easily?
Can a guinea pig get enceinte on its own?
How many babies do guinea pigs have in their first litter?
How soon can you tell a guinea pig is enceinte?
How soon can guinea pigs get enceinte after giving birth?
What time of day do guinea pigs give birth?
What age is a male guinea pig fertile?
How long do guinea pigs stay enceinte?
Do guinea pigs bite?
Can guinea pigs miscarriage?
How do you take care of newborn guinea pigs?
Do baby guinea pigs bite?
What kind of milk do you feed a baby guinea pig?
Can you hold a guinea pig when you first get it?
What should you do when you first get a guinea pig?
How many times a day should I hold my guinea pig?
- Set the scene for a proper home.
- Stock up on a good food.
- Guinea pig proof your abode.
- Give your guinea pig some space at first.
- Understand your guinea pig’s actions.
- Be on the lookout for any health issues.
- Pair your guinea pig appropriately.
Do guinea pigs enjoy being held?
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