How to Care for Guinea Pig Pups

Birth

• There is usually no need to assist during a guinea pig birthing, but occasionally things go wrong. If a sow fails to remove a pup̵7;s membrane, gently break the sack, rub the pup with a towel or wash cloth, and place him with his mother. When a sow strains for 15 minutes or longer without producing a pup, you potentially have a breach birth on your hands and should make an emergency veterinarian appointment to avoid losing both the pup and his mother.

Weight

• Weight gain is a good indicator of health and development. Weigh each pup soon after the birth, and then daily. Expect the pups to lose a small amount of weight over the first couple of days ̵1; according to the Guinea Lynx website, 1/8 oz. a day is not uncommon ̵1; but after that you should see a steady weight gain. Keep records of each pup̵7;s weight; if one either loses more or gains less weight than his litter mates, ensure that he is feeding properly, appears healthy and is generally active. If you have doubts or concerns, consult a veterinarian and consider hand-feeding.

Feeding

• Guinea pigs, particularly pups, need regular and sufficient nutrition if they are to survive. If you need to hand-feed a pup, syringe-feeding should be the last resort, because tiny guinea pigs can easily aspirate. First, try placing the pup on the sow to encourage suckling. You can also offer recovery food or mulched pellets off a spoon. Alternatively, try tempting the pup with strong-smelling, vitamin-rich greens such as parsley or kale. If you do need to syringe-feed, mix the food to a fairly thick consistency, place the syringe in the side of the mouth and wait for the pup to bite down and exhibit swallowing movements before releasing a small amount of food. Repeat until the pup no longer appears hungry, allowing sufficient time for him to swallow each morsel of food before releasing the next.

Observation

• Take time to regularly observe the pups̵7; behavior. Guinea pig pups should be walking on day 1 and are usually scampering around after two or three days. If a pup appears to be lethargic, this may be due to lack of food, so watch his feeding habits and intervene if necessary. Also check to ensure that each pup is pooping and passing urine. If not, stimulate elimination by gently rubbing the anal area with a damp wash cloth. Daily check eyes, noses, ears and bottoms for any signs of discharge or irregularity. Consult with your veterinarian if you have concerns.

Environment

• A guinea pig should enjoy a clean home, with a covered sleeping area and space to exercise. You can handle guinea pig pups from birth; they enjoy family interaction, but avoid placing them in noisy or potentially stressful situations. Remove any toys or other items that could trap a guinea pig pup or that would make it difficult for him to reach his mother or his food. Take extra care if pups are exercising outside the cage, as an opening door, misplaced foot or dropped object could prove fatal.

Separation

• Male guinea pigs can reach sexual maturity when they are three weeks old, females at four weeks. By the time they are three weeks old, your guinea pig pups should be fully weaned; separate the males from their mother and sisters to avoid impregnation. At this stage, the pups are still tiny; the males, separated from their mother, in particular will need close observation. Because guinea pigs are social animals, a lone male pup should receive ̵1; and will thrive on ̵1; plenty of human attention.