What should I know about baby guinea pigs?
A baby guinea pig is called a pup. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters.
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.
What do you do with baby guinea pigs?
To care for baby guinea pigs, get a roomy cage and make sure they can’t slip through the spaces between the bars. Feed the pups twice a day, provide a constant supply of fresh water, and handle them often so they can get comfortable with human interaction.
How soon can you hold a baby guinea pig?
They will be feeling a bit tender and very protective of their babies after the birth, so it’s best to leave them alone for a month afterwards too. Baby guinea pigs should not be held at all for at least one week after birth, and must always be handled very gently.
Do baby guinea pigs sleep a lot?
The thing is, guinea pigs do sleep, usually between four and six hours a day, but rather than doing it all in one go, they will nap throughout the day and night.
How big is a 10 week old guinea pig?
Guinea Pig Size and Growth Chart
| Age | Weight Range (grams) |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks | 400 – 285 |
| 6 weeks | 550 – 350 |
| 8 weeks | 700 – 400 |
| 10 weeks | 800 – 500 |
Do newborn guinea pigs drink water?
Guinea pigs get enough water from their veg to not dehydrate, but the more veg you feed, the less good for their health and the less incentive they have to take heed of the water bottle. If they have never learned from an older guinea pig to drink from a bottle, they usually struggle at first.
How often should I handle my baby guinea pig?
Most guinea pigs love spending quality time with their owners, so handling them is enjoyable for all concerned. Once your guinea pig gets to know you, being hand-fed and petted become important parts of their lives. This means it’s actually up to you how much you hold them – you can do so as often as you like.
Do guinea pigs cry?
Guinea pigs are going to be vocal when they start to get hungry, and sometimes the noises that they make will sound like crying. You might notice the guinea pig gets excited and happy when you take the time to feed it. In all likelihood, the guinea pig’s cries were simply an attempt to get you to give it food.