Table of Contents
How long do guinea pigs have to mate to get pregnant?
16 days
The guinea pig’s heat cycle lasts 16 days. The period during which the female is receptive to the male and will allow breeding lasts about 8 hours. Female guinea pigs can come back into heat 15 hours after giving birth.
Can a guinea pig get pregnant without a mate?
When to Breed Guinea Pigs A female guinea pig needs to be sexually mature to breed but also not too old to give birth. This allows an extremely small window of opportunity unless you want to have a Cesarean section (C-section) performed on the sow to get the babies out.
How long does it take for a female guinea pig to have babies?
59 to 72 days
The guinea pig gestation period is 59 to 72 days. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. A female can give birth to up to 5 litters per year.
How do I know if my guinea pigs are mating?
10 Guinea Pig Mating Behavior Signs To Watch For
- Mating Calls.
- The Guinea Pig Mating Dance.
- Male Chasing Female Guinea Pigs Around the Cage.
- Males Sniff and Lick Females.
- Nuzzling.
- Males Standing Upright.
- Males Mount Females.
- 8. Female Will Squeal Loudly.
How do I stop my male guinea pigs from mating?
Prevent breeding from occurring by putting guinea pigs in separate “male” and “female” designated enclosures. Always keep an eye on guinea pigs living together to make sure they’re getting along well. Aggressive behavior is a possibility in male cavies.
How long is guinea pig labor?
Have the details of a small animal vet handy – Be prepared. Most guinea pigs give birth in the daytime hours. She will give out a cry just as she goes into labor, and it will take about five minutes to birth a pup.
Can I hold a newborn 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.