Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Infants? Info & Care Suggestions

In most instances, no, guinea pigs don’t eat their infants—not less than not on goal. Nonetheless, whereas this can be very uncommon to have your guinea pig eat her infants, it might probably occur.

It appears unnatural and virtually merciless to people that some animals eat their younger, although consuming infants is a part of some wildlife’s pure instincts. Relating to sows (feminine guinea pigs) and their pups (child guinea pigs), it’s implausible she’s going to eat her infants. The truth is, it’s extra widespread for the boar (male guinea pig) to eat the younger, though that is nonetheless very uncommon.

So, what do you do in the event you suspect the pups have been eaten? Are there methods to guard them or forestall this from taking place? Sure. Study what to do and how one can look after guinea pups on this article.

Why It’s Unlikely Mama Guinea Pigs Will Eat Their Pups

Guinea pigs are natural-born herbivores. Because of this alone, it’s an unbelievable likelihood that guinea pigs (male or feminine) will eat their infants. The truth is, different rodents, similar to mice, rats, and hamsters, are extra liable to committing infanticide than guinea pigs.

Not like different rodent pets, sows are primarily maternal. Within the wild, guinea pigs huddle collectively and kind hierarchies inside a big group. Since guinea pigs are naturally pack animals, they’re often known as social and affectionate creatures who select to guard one another earlier than killing one another. In spite of everything, there’s power in numbers.

The final unbelievable motive guinea pigs gained’t eat their pups is that pups mature shortly. All pups will naturally develop on the identical tempo and are prepared for independence by 4 to six weeks. When pups develop steadily on the identical tempo, there are fewer probabilities of having a runt, which implies there isn’t a motive to your guinea pigs to commit infanticide.

Why Some Mama Guinea Pigs Eat Their Infants

Though it’s extraordinarily uncommon for sows or boars to eat their younger, it might probably occur. Nonetheless, any explanation for consuming younger is strictly primarily based on survival intuition. If a number of pups are stillborn, the sow might eat her pups instinctually as a consequence of their fight-or-flight response. Since guinea pigs are prey animals, they rid their house of something that will appeal to predators.

One other case of survival infanticide is that if the sow isn’t producing sufficient milk for all her pups, she’s going to sacrifice the weakest to make sure the remainder dwell. Nonetheless, in any case, if the sow believes her nest or habitat is unsafe, she might resolve to kill all her younger to guard herself.

Although consuming pups is a uncommon event, it might probably occur. The most effective factor you are able to do is to create preventative measures, similar to sustaining a stress-free atmosphere to your mama piggie.

What to Do if Your Sow Eats Her Infants

On the uncommon event that your sow or boar does eat their pups, what do you do about it?

Firstly, pups can escape their nest and could also be hiding some other place. In case you discover a number of of your sow’s piggies gone, do a fast and mild sweep of her enclosure to ensure she did, in reality, eat them. Nonetheless, if there’s particular proof, you possibly can skip this step.

You could take away it instantly in the event you discover clear proof {that a} pup has been eaten or partially eaten. By eradicating them, you take away illness brought on by decomposition and the flexibility to proceed feeding on the useless pup.

Nonetheless you select to eliminate the infants, it’s your selection, however be certain that to put on protecting gloves and use a small rubbish bag earlier than disposal. Some house owners select to bury animals, whereas others select to compost. Ensure your methodology doesn’t appeal to different animals.

Is It a Good Thought to Separate the Pups From the Sow?

Guinea pups can dwell with out their mom together with your assist. If, by likelihood, your sow dies throughout supply, it’s as much as you to look after them as orphans. On common, 20% of sows die throughout supply or after beginning as a result of being pregnant is anxious for mama guinea pigs.

Nonetheless, in case your mama piggie survives, giving her and her pups house for the primary few days is greatest. Pups ought to solely be separated from mama if there’s a signal of rejection or hurt to the infants.

Pups want their mom for no less than 2 weeks. Nonetheless, it is suggested pups stick with the sow for six weeks. After 6 weeks, nurturing, enjoying with, and mixing enclosures with the piglets is okay.

Stopping a Sow From Consuming Her Pups

Quickly after the sow provides beginning, you’ll wish to give her house, although additionally maintain an in depth eye from a distance, as placentas will be confused with pups in case your sow is an inexperienced mom.

Throughout the mother’s being pregnant, it’s a good suggestion to separate all males from the enclosure and reduce as a lot stress as potential. Since sows can develop into pregnant virtually instantly after beginning, separating males earlier than she delivers her pups is greatest. In case your enclosure inhabits different sows, watch combating and territorial behaviors intently. In case your mama piggie turns into threatened or attacked, she’s going to develop into confused.

In her enclosure, make sure you present limitless grass or hay, inexperienced leafy greens, and an excellent quantity of vitamin C day by day. To take care of a stress-free atmosphere, you need to guarantee no vital modifications to her routine or vibrant lights and loud noises.

Suggestions for Conserving Mama and Her Pups Wholesome and Secure

Your sow doesn’t want a lot assist from you to look after her younger. To make sure the most secure and healthiest being pregnant and aftercare, you need to keep a caring routine that gives love, sufficient consideration, a wide range of meals, and contemporary water.

Alfalfa hay is greatest to your pregnant sow as a result of it has a great deal of vitamin C, and calcium very important to the survival of her pups. Give loads of house and check-ins to make sure there are not any points and all the pieces is operating easily.

Whereas holding child guinea pigs is okay, the sow should belief you first. It’s not a good suggestion to let strangers with unfamiliar scents deal with her pups; in any other case, she might assault or reject her infants.

A few week after supply, taking mama guinea and her pups to see a vet is a good suggestion. The vet will test for an infection, sickness, or any issues. They’ll additionally provide you with nice recommendation on what to do subsequent to make sure the very best success for survival.

Remaining Phrases

So, do guinea pigs eat their infants? It’s unusual for any guinea pig to eat their younger if they’re properly cared for, and also you present a stress-free zone for mama sows. Bear in mind to separate boars from the sow, as he can complicate issues for mama piggie.

So long as you present a nurturing atmosphere with contemporary meals and water, child guinea pigs and their mother are secure.

Featured Picture Credit score: Naomi Marcin, Shutterstock