There’s a lot to do in the nine months a human mama is expecting her bundle of joy. Now imagine a guinea pig pregnancy where there are only 3 months to prepare!
What’s even more amazing about guinea pig pregnancy is how fully formed these sweet little cavies are when they’re born. They’re born with their eyes open, fully covered in hair, and have teeth!
Ready or not the fluff balls are coming. Let’s talk about how you know when you have an expectant mama and what stages she will go through!
Is Your Cavy Expecting?
Recognizing when you have a pregnant guinea pig is necessary to make sure your girl’s getting everything she needs. You’ll also want to be on the lookout for new additions. You’ll need to make a plan for the new pups!
Mating Rituals
If your female cavy has been around any male guinea pigs then she’s likely pregnant. A baby guinea pig is fully formed at only three weeks old! Female (sow) and male guinea pigs (boars) need to be separated very early on to prevent pregnancy.
When a boar wants to mate he stands up and presents himself to the sow. He’ll make a low-pitched rumbling noise. If he’s won over the sow she’ll respond with enthusiastic loud squeaking.
It’s important to keep male and female cavies separate (unless you have a neutered cavy). There are lots of guinea pigs without homes so if you want to grow your furry family, look for rescue opportunities!
Increased Appetite and Thirst
You may notice changes in your guinea pig’s behavior before you notice any physical changes.
Your cavy may polish off their food bowl or clear out hay faster than usual. Or even empty their water bottle faster. These are signs that your guinea pig has increased nutritional demands and could be pregnant!
Physical Signs Of A Guinea Pig Pregnancy
A guinea pig will gain weight and grow a large abdomen just as you would expect. However, the change is gradual and little by little you might not notice it happening until one day your guinea pig has doubled in size!
In the beginning, your cavy may just look a little fluffier than usual, which could be explained by the increased appetite. So the three-month pregnancy may be much quicker for you!
A pregnant guinea pig may sleep more or even be grumpier than their normal self. This can also be a sign that your cavy isn’t feeling well for other reasons. If you have any doubts about changes in your guinea pig’s behavior then it’s best to get them checked out at the vet!
Even if you’re sure the behavior change is due to pregnancy, have a vet check your cavy. Some guinea pigs are too old to give birth safely. The vet may even be able to tell you how many cavies are on the way!
Guinea Pig Pregnancy Stages
Week 1-4: Early Stages
These early stages are when you probably haven’t noticed that your guinea pig is pregnant. But if you suspect pregnancy due to a female cavy being around an unneutered male, then make sure she has plenty of food and peace and quiet to rest!
Week 5-7: Middle Stages
It’s during these stages that you might notice your guinea pig’s growing belly. And around 7 weeks you might even notice some movement in her belly from the growing pups!
This is when you’ll want to get her checked out at the vet if you haven’t already!
Week 7+: Final Stages
If your mama-to-be has some active housemates that are bothering her, you might want to move them to a different cage to let her rest. Movements from inside her belly will be more obvious now.
The Week Before Birth
Make sure your cavy has a comfy corner and try not to pick her up unless absolutely necessary. Her pelvic floor is under a lot of stress so it’s best just to make sure she’s comfortable and then leave her be.
After your guinea pig has her pups they will need to stay with their mother and nurse for three weeks before going to new homes!
Saskia is talking about weaning those cute pups on YouTube!
What To Feed a Pregnant Guinea Pig
The nutritional needs of a pregnant cavy are slightly different. However, you don’t want to feed her more pellets. This can actually make the pups too big! It’s best to have lots of hay available and supplement with alfalfa hay. This will give her the extra calcium and protein she needs while pregnant.
Keep up her usual supply of pellets and fresh vegetables. The addition of alfalfa hay is usually the only change needed. Make sure she always has fresh water available. You may need to fill the water bottle more than usual!
Caring For A Pregnant Guinea Pig
The best thing you can do during this special time is to minimize stress for your guinea pig. Pregnancy is already a stressful time as your guinea pig has less energy and isn’t feeling their best. Additional stress can make illness more likely.
While it will be tempting to pour love on your sweet cavy, try to avoid lap time and just love her with some soft pets. You’ll want to wait on grooming sessions as they require more handling as well.
If your guinea pig is older than 7 months old it can be very dangerous for her to give birth. Always check with your guinea pig’s vet before you intentionally allow a cavy to get pregnant. Once she’s already pregnant, a vet will know if any interventions are needed.
We are not veterinarians, and none of our information should be construed as veterinary advice.
Before adding any new product, please consult your exotic veterinarian. If your pet is acting unwell and you have concerns for their well being, please contact your vet immediately.
